After years of unexplained losses an unexpected gift was given to us.

As I waited to be seen by my doctor to received an IUD, Dr. H walks in to announce I was pregnant, again. I thought he was joking as it was the first week of April. Once he confirmed he would never joke about such a thing I immediately broke down as explained I could not lose another one and this was it for me. Dr. H calmly explained that he would do everything in his power to make sure that didn't happen, and that he did.

By 12 weeks I had multiple appointments, started low dose asprin, and hostial treatments as I was going through Hyperemesis Gravidarum. By 21 weeks I was showing signs of something I had no knowledge of. After posting how I was feeling to social media, a friend reached out and suggested I check my blood pressure as my symptoms matched hers when she was pregnant with Preeclampsia. I immediately went and checked my BP at two different store locations to find it was indeed high. I notified my doctor and this began my first 24hr urine. By 22w I was diagnosed with Preeclampsia and placed on bestrest. With the added stress of the unknown I felt it was best to not dig into what this condition was. I went on ignorant in order to keep my stress levels down. Weekly NST & Sonos began. By 24w I was admitted again. This carried on a few times, 3 days here, 1 week there. We were hoping to make it to 27w. Then 29w. Week by week we hoped for the best and my partner, his family, and mine made sure I stayed rested and calm. 

Then we thought we made it. Got to have the baby shower, thought all would be well and we would have a big healthy baby in a few more months. Little did we know at one of my weekly appointments my proteins were elevated even more than normal and I would immediately be sent to the hospital for the last time.

I was admitted for the last time at 33w for high protein levels, swelling, headaches, uncontrolled BP, and pain. Here I would stay until it was time to give birth. During this stay we found my kidneys & liver were struggling. I developed deep vein thrombosis in my thigh. Baby was not growing as he should and had almost no amniotic fluid. After 3 long weeks of attempting to keep a safe growing shelter for this little miracle it was time to let go and hope for the best.

We began inducing process on Saturday November 15th, 2019. Unable to eat I was a tad cranky to say the least. Dr. H was hoping to be able to provide me the most natural birthing experience we could safely. I proceeded on to a 26 hour pain-med-free induction which did not involve any dialation or water breaking. I was getting no where. This then ened up in fetal distress and an emergency c-section. Of course this was the last thing my doctor wanted, but he was determined to have a healthy baby, as was I.

Given I was on blood thinners due to the DVTs this of course posed a risk. While performing the c-section, I panicked on the table and was told I had an abnormal growth on the placenta which appeared to be the only portion that was left viable of it. I'll admit I was bummed I never caught a glimpse of it. After letting me know the baby was safe they rushed my partner out of the room where he'd wait to find out what was going on. Ultimately, it all worked out. I survived, our precious little boy made it to 36w and at 4lbs 13oz had no NICU time and was an absolute trooper! 

Then comes the hospital discharge... Our new healthy miracle was discharged 2 days after delivery. Mine took and additional 3 days following his due to complications with insurance and medications I could not be discharged without. Once that all was squared away and I was finally released, it was like stepping outside to a whole new world. I had a new baby in towe and breathed in fresh outside air for the first time in 3 weeks. 

I was taking everything in as a new mom and after being home for 2 days I ended up back in the hospital due to postpartum preeclampsia. I was heavily monitored and later released that same day.

It has been 17 months since that last visit. To this day I have lasting health risks and symptoms. Preeclampsia still has so much unknown and too many future risk factors. This is why I'm walking. This is why I am using my voice and experience. To the moms that didn't have the chance to take their little fighter home. To the families that lost their, daughter, sister or wife due to complications. This fight doesn't end once a baby arrives. It lasts forever & I want to be apart of a solution.