At 33 weeks and 3 days pregnant, I began having ear pain and decided to get checked out at the Minute Clinic over my lunch break. After demonstrating no traditional symptoms, having a textbook healthy pregnancy, and having zero risk factors, I was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with preeclampsia with severe features.
 

To our surprise, we were told that they may have to deliver the baby that day in order to save my life. Thankfully, our strong little girlie was able to stay inside a few more days while I received nearly constant Magnesium Sulfate and blood pressure medication to prevent seizures. This caused me to feel extremely unwell and for many of my memories of this time to be very fuzzy. 
 

At 33 weeks and 6 days pregnant, it was decided that it was no longer safe for me or the baby to remain pregnant. After laboring for nearly 24 hours, Wesley began to show signs of distress and I was rushed for an emergency c-section. At 34 weeks on the dot, at 5:30 AM, on her grandpa's birthday, our sweet, strong, brave baby girl was born at just 3 lb 2 oz. 
 

I spent a total of 10 days admitted to the hospital and remained on blood pressure medication for many more weeks. Wesley spent 16 long days and nights learning how to regulate her own temperature and eat/breathe at the same time. Cody & I learned to be parents in the NICU and missed out on many of the moments new parents look forward to - holding your new baby after birth, taking your baby home from the hospital with you, and having many "firsts" that occurred in a hospital instead of our home. 
 

One year later, our little 3 lb 2 oz baby girl is turning one and she remains the strongest and bravest girl we know. Due to preeclampsia, her first year on this earth has been harder than it should have been. That's the thing about preeclampsia - its effects don't stop at birth. It is something that both Wesley and I work to recover from everyday since. 
 

We walk for preeclampsia to help raise money for research so that babies and families in the future never have to share our experience. We walk to raise awareness so that more mothers and providers will be able recognize early symptoms and receive the care they need. We walk in memory of those mothers and babies that were not as lucky as we were. 
 

We invite you to join us in walking and/or donating to our team in honor of Wesley's first birthday!