My Birth Story - 8 weeks early!

Hello All

I'm not a huge poster, but I thought I'd post my story as a cautionary tale to be sure to listen to your body! Very long -- sorry!

I have had a pretty uneventful pregnancy. Except for being diagnosed with Gesttional Diabetes (controlled with diet) a few weeks ago, things have been normal. However, last Friday (more than a week ago) I noticed that my feet were particularly swollen. I didn't think anything of it - chalked it up to pregnancy water and went on my way. However, on Sunday morning, I woke up at about 1:30 a.m. feeling like I had a lot of pressure in the center of my chest -- almost thought I was having a heart attack -- and also some pain in the upper part of my belly. I thought I was being silly, thought maybe it was indigestion and woke up DH to rub my back. I fell back asleep until about 5:30 when I woke up to the same uncomfortable feeling. I decided at 6 a.m. that it was a respectable time to call my dr -- she said it was probably nothing (although later she said she knew it was not nothing and was trying to keep me calm) and said I should come in to L&D to get checked out. After asking my parents to come watch DD, DH and I headed to L&D around 7:30 a.m. When I checked in, they took my blood pressure and it was threw the roof. I'm not sure what the numbers precisely but I know that the top number was above 211 on more than 3 readings and the bottom number was crazy high too. They called in high risk who said the situation was very serious because my liver enzymes were also very high which posed internal bleeding risks. They were going to give me one dose of steroids and hoped they could hold off delivering me for a few days....but came in about an hour later and said they had changed their mind and that the situation was too serious for me to wait....they were going to do a c-section. My DS was born at 2:29 pm, only hours after I arrived at L&D -- he was 8+ weeks early and weighs 3lbs 5 oz. He's doing really well though and I'm hopeful he'll be home sooner than his actual due date!

I was given magnesium in the hospital to prevent seizures -- what a horrible HORRIBLE medication. I couldn't open my eyes, couldn't stand, I thought I was losing my mind on it. It's a 24 hour medication after the baby is born and I seemed to be ok after the meds.

However, the story doesn't quite stop there....I was discharged on Thursday and given blood pressure meds I had been taking in the hospital and told to keep an eye on my blood pressure.. Notably, my numbers even on the meds by thursday were slowly increasing but I wanted out of the hospital as it had been days since I'd seen my DD. Well, Friday, my blood pressure numbers, taken by me, at home were still pretty bad. 184 over 117 etc. I was told the numbers should be below 140 and below 90. After some persuading by DH and my mother, I ended up at the ER and was re-admitted. Luckily, High Risk was alerted I was there and they were able to admit me back into the maternity ward rather than general admission (great doctors-- came and found me amidst the crazy ER, oversaw my care there etc.). However, I had to go BACK on the magnesium....which made me literally cry because my first reaction was so bad. So, I've been back in the hospital since Friday night and again my numbers are creeping up. They increased my medicine and I need to have a good few readings in a row until they release me - I expect to now be discharged on Monday. as my dr said - I refuse to admit you a third time.

So, very long story short-- listen to your body. Preeclampsia is VERY real and VERY scary. But I'm extremely lucky because DS is doing well despite being born so incredibly early (and me not being prepare AT ALL for his arrival as of yet), I can visit him easily while I'm here.

Message edited 10/1/2017 3:22:51 PM.

My Birth Story - 8 weeks early!

Omg many hugs but congrats to you!!! My son was 36 weeks (twin pregnancy) and was 3lbs 15 oz and stopped growing at 32 weeks and was never caught that I had IUGR. My son is going to be 9 months in 2 weeks and is doing fantastic for being a little guy!!! I hope you are feeling well and I’m glad your son is doing well!

My Birth Story - 8 weeks early!

Wow! So glad you're both doing well. Thank goodness for good doctors and NICUs. I know the feeling of not being ready. My first was 2 weeks late and my second was a month early. Also the importance of listening to your body since dd wouldn't be hear of I didn't. She was 4.0lb, spent just over a week in the nicu and is now a healthy 2yo. I don't think anyone ever thinks they'll be in that situation but you find out that you're stronger than you ever realized. Hope all goes well and you're both healthy and home soon! Congratulations!

My Birth Story - 8 weeks early!

I second your words. My son was 3 weeks early due to pre eclampsia He was 4lb 15oz. You and your son are in good hands. Please keep us posted

Re: My Birth Story - 8 weeks early!

I'm SO glad you trusted your gut and went in. Thank God you and baby are doing okay! Hang in there, hope you and the LO are home soon.

Re: My Birth Story - 8 weeks early!

Wow, quite a story. Glad you are both doing well! Sounds like some classic symptoms of HELLP syndrome and not just pre-e (the elevated liver enzymes and upper gastric pain sound like HELLP). Have your docs mentioned that at all? May not mean much to you now since you've already given birth, unless you plan to have more kids in the future it will be good to know you had a prior HELLP pregnancy to monitor your liver functions and platelets. Best of luck in your recovery!

Re: My Birth Story - 8 weeks early!

I had POST-partum preclampsia with my first daughter and everything you experienced I experienced 6 days after she was born and no one was taking me seriously until they saw how high my blood levels were. It is a very scary and traumatizing experience.

Now pregnant with my second, your story is what I am deathly afraid of happening. I am so happy to hear that your son is doing well and I wish you a speedy recovery! Hang in there.

My Birth Story - 8 weeks early!

I experienced almost the sone thing similar but I was "fine" during pregnancy but 36 weeks I needed to deliver. I left on a Monday and came back on a Tuesday bc of the symptoms you had too! Scary stuff!

My Birth Story - 8 weeks early!

Thank you all so much for the well-wishes. I was finally able to go home on Tuesday night....it took another 4 days in the hospital to get the meds right etc. I'm sooo happy to be home and can now focus on my little one in NICU instead of my own health issues!