Preeclampsia...I'm a Survivor!

October 2007. There I was at my 38 week appointment. I felt fine, just a little winded from walking in from the parking garage to the office. I climbed up onto the exam table using the step attached and got myself situated. Within about 5 minutes, the nurse came in to take my vitals. She informed me that my blood pressure was a little high and we figured it might be because of the walk. She instructed me to lay on my left side and then turned the lights off. She said she'd be back in 15 minutes.

When she returned, she retook my blood pressure while still lying on my left side. She never gave me the number, but said, "Stay here. The midwife will be in with you shortly." The midwife entered and asked me how I was feeling. I told her I was fine. She questioned if I had been having headaches, feeling dizzy, or having problems with my vision. I had not been experiencing anything. The next thing out of her mouth was." Ok. Well, your blood pressure is really high and there's protein in your urine sample. How do you feel about having a baby today?" I wasn't ready, but with paperwork in hand, down the elevator and through the tunnel I went to Labor & Delivery at the hospital.

I had been officially diagnosed with preeclampsia.

The photo to the left was taken a little more than half way through my pregnancy.

The photo on the right was taken the Sunday before my 39 week appointment.

Until I looked back at that day and put these two photos together I didn't even realize how swollen I really was.

The next day was Monday and I had my appointment that morning. I told my husband not to go to work. I wasn't feeling well and I was laser focused on convincing my midwives to put me out of my misery. After taking my blood pressure, getting the results of my urinalysis, and taking a good look at me, it didn't take any convincing at all. Their recommendation was: Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Go directly to Labor & Delivery!

Preeclampsia had struck again but this time, delivering my baby would not put an end to it.

Preeclampsia is a term I had never heard of until I had it. I was unaware that because of my race and family history of hypertension that I was at a higher risk for developing it. In my fourth and final pregnancy, I wasn’t aware that because I had developed preeclampsia in my 3rd pregnancy, it was more likely that I would develop it again. On top of that, once my baby was born, my blood pressure did not go down and I was introduced to a little thing called postpartum preeclampsia. For the next several weeks I had follow-up appointments to monitor my blood pressure and adjust my medication. I'm so thankful that my midwives were so attentive to my care and made sure I was here and didn't leave my husband to raise 4 children on his own. Because of this, I'm a survivor!

May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month.

Preeclampsia is a life-threatening hypertensive disorder that occurs during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It affects women in 5-8% of all pregnancies. Preeclampsia and related disorders such as gestational hypertension, HELLP syndrome, and eclampsia are most often characterized by a rapid rise in blood pressure that can lead to seizure, stroke, multiple organ failure, and even death of the mother and/or baby. High blood pressure readings and the presence of protein in the urine found during regular and routine prenatal visits are usually the symptoms that trigger further testing to diagnose preeclampsia.

Hypertension can be a silent killer. While we want you to know that signs and symptoms of preeclampsia they don't always show themselves before there is a problem. In my first experience with preeclampsia I FELT FINE. Knowing your normal or baseline blood pressure is important. Understand how to take and monitor your blood pressure at home so you easily recognize the pattern if it begins to rise and DO NOT skip your prenatal appointments with your obstetrician or midwife. Early detection can save your life!

Here are the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia that you should be aware of:

• High Blood Pressure

  • After 20 weeks, 140/90 or greater in 2 separate readings 4 hours apart

• Difficulty Breathing

  • Shortness of breath that appears suddenly, worsens or occurs while resting

• Headaches

  • Persistent, severe, or does not go away with rest or usual remedies

• Vision Changes

  • Blurry vision, seeing spots, flashing lights, light sensitivity or vision loss

• Abdominal Pain

  • sharp, aching, persistent pain in the upper right side of the abdomen

• Swelling

  • swelling in the face, hands, or around the eyes or sudden/excessive swelling

• Protein in Urine

  • detected by urinalysis at your providers office

    
    

Early recognition of the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia could save your life before AND after you give birth. While postpartum preeclampsia sounds like an oxymoron, it's a real thing and can be dangerous or even fatal if the signs are missed or dismissed and treatment is delayed or denied.

If signs or symptoms of preeclampsia are present, the following steps are recommended:

• Contact your healthcare provider immediately

• Have your blood pressure checked

• Follow medical guidance for close monitoring

• Take prescribed medications as directed

• Monitor symptoms at home

  
  

Call 911 if symptoms are severe and blood pressure is 160/110 mm Hg or higher.

For more information, go to www.preeclampsia.org and to get involved with awareness efforts in the Metro Atlanta area, visit www.drshalonsmap.org

The team at Atlanta Family Doulas are trained to recognized the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia and will recommend calling your provider or going to the ER/Labor & Delivery if signs are present while providing support. If you'd like to know other ways our doulas can support you during your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience, CONTACT US today.