We joined the walk because our team captain, Monica, was diagnosed with preeclampsia at exactly 33 weeks pregnant. She was immediately admitted to the hospital with the goal of making it to 34 before inducing labor, but with her blood pressure continuing to rise, even with the blood pressure medications, her induction began a few days later and her son was born at 33 weeks and 4 days. Monica then continued to stay at the hospital to manage her blood pressure and was discharged after a full week at the hospital. Her son stayed in the NICU for about a month before he could come home.

We walk for them and what they had to endure as well as for all the other mothers who went through the same, better, or worse. Preeclampsia is a scary word to hear during pregnancy, but with the right information and a caring medical team, the trauma it causes and leaves behind can be overcome.