I had a normal and amazing pregnancy. No complications, baby and I were doing amazing. Then the 37 week mark hit. I went in Monday for my routine weekly check-up, everything coming out normal. Friday that same week, I come home from work with extremely swollen legs and feet and feeling more tired than usual. My sister, having just gone through her own pregnancy, immediately had me check my blood pressure. It was much higher than normal. She rushed me to the hospital, not even grabbing the hospital bag I was currently working on. Once there, the ER staffed rushed me up to L&D and did numerous tests. Testing came back as severe pre-eclampsia. I was medically induced that night. The doctors told my sister if I had waited just 12 more hours to come in, I would have lost the baby and most likely myself.

The birth was traumatic. I lost a significant amount of blood and was drifiting in and out of conciousness. Once my son was delivered, I then passed out. My blood pressure sky-rocketed.

After giving birth, I then developed postpartum HELLP Syndrome. I was kept in the hospital for 4 days past the day of giving birth. Thankfully, the nurses and doctors worked as hard as they could to save my life and my son's life.

Today, my son is 6 years old and thriving. He is as happy, healthy, and inspiring as one can be. Because of my sister and the hospital staff taking me seriously, I am here today.