I am a survivor of postpartum preeclampsia. With my daughter, Sutton, I had a routine pregnancy followed by an uncomplicated delivery. Little did I know what events would transpire over the next few days.

I was put on blood pressure lowering medications directly after her delivery, and my blood pressure continued to rise. I gained over 10 pounds the day after she was born, and I had shortness of breath and chest pain. I was discharged to go home with my daughter with all of these symptoms and no discussion of the chances of developing preeclampsia in the postpartum period.

My first night home, I continued to worsen. I called the on call doctor when my diastolic blood pressure climbed into the 170s even while on blood pressure lowering medications. I described all of my symptoms to him, and he told me that everything I described was normal for someone who had just given birth.

The next morning at my daughter's first pediatrician appointment, I had my blood pressure checked. It was confirmed to still be very high, so I again called my doctor's office to ask for advice. They were able to squeeze me in later that afternoon, but I would not be able to see my doctor. Once the nurses at my obstetrician's office saw my blood pressure, they sent me over to the hospital's labor and delivery floor to see a doctor. There, I waited for several more hours before a doctor appeared. I was immediately diagnosed with severe postpartum preeclampsia and admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Luckily, my story has a happy ending. I got the treatment that I needed, and since I was in the postpartum period, there was no health risk to my daughter. Unfortunately, that might not have been the case if I hadn't been persistent in trying to find health care for myself. I probably should not have been discharged from the hospital the first time, and the doctor who answered my call in the middle of the night should have taken me seriously. Not only do I join this walk to help find a cure for preeclampsia, but I also want to raise awareness and ensure that everyone has the proper health care that they need. I want everyone to speak up and advocate for their health if you think something is wrong, even if you are dismissed by your doctors.