We are excited to be back for our 7th Promise Walk!  We started walking in 2014 when our daughter Isla was 11 months old.  I was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia during my 34th week of pregnancy.  My blood pressure at its highest was 210/102.  After an induction, Isla was born at 35+1 weighing 4lbs 3oz. She spent 15 days in the NICU.  Our son August was born 3 years later.  I was induced at 37 weeks to avoid the chances of preeclampsia occuring again.  While I was not diagnosed a 2nd time, I was dangerously close as my blood pressure seemed to get higher by the week near the end of my pregnancy.  He weighed 4lbs 10oz. 

Within days of Isla's birth, I wanted to know what was wrong with that caused this to happen.  I was healthy, I had already had a healthy pregnancy that carried to term with zero issues.  I worked out almost daily, I ate well.  What could be wrong?  When my blood pressure wouldn't return to normal, everyone seemed baffled.  I was sent home on 2 different blood pressure medications, but lucky was able to come off of them within 6 weeks (this also happened after my son was born).  I started doing research, and then a friend told me that she had also had preeclampsia- she put me in touch with other people who had preeclampsia in the local area, and from there I reached out to the Preeclampsia Foundation and was put in touch with ladies from my local Promise Walk.  I didn't know that a simple introduction via email would join me for life in a sisterhood, and we are still here 7 years later!