04/03/2013
Why I Am Coordinating This Walk (WARNING THIS IS LONG)
My name is Sara and I became pregnant with my daughter in August 2008. I had an extremely rough pregnancy- complete with âmorning sicknessâ that lasted until the day that I delivered, migraine headaches, among other things. Despite how I felt, my pregnancy was progressing well and everything was ânormalâ. I suffered my very first kidney stone while pregnant (not fun, lemme tell ya) and so I was to follow up with my urologist after discovering I had stones. While I was at the urologistâs office I was told that they thought I may be developing âtoxemiaâ. At the time I had no clue what they were talking about, but they explained my blood pressure was slightly elevated and I had a small amount of protein in my urine. They suggested that I immediately go to my OBGYN (which happens to be across the street) and tell them what may be going on. To make a long story short, every time I went for a checkup at my OB, my blood pressure was normal and my protein just borderline. Despite the enormous swelling that was going on, my OB insisted I was fine.
Fast forward a few weeks. It was a Friday and at the time I was 31 weeks pregnant. My husband had just arrived home from a week long class with the military, as soon as he got home I told him I wasnât feeling well and insisted we go to CVS so that I could check my blood pressure. I had never had high blood pressure before, but I just had that instinct that something was really wrong. I wound up at taking myself to the ER and was taken straight to the OB floor, they immediately admitted me and I knew then that something may be going on. I wound up staying for the weekend, and after an ultrasound we discovered that my daughter had IUGR (growth restriction) and extremely low amniotic fluid. The hospital, I was informed, would be my new home until I delivered. It only took until Monday for them to decide to induce me, both for my health and my daughterâs. By the time our ordeal was over, I was swollen from head to toe, my blood pressure had skyrocketed, my kidneys were shutting down, and my brain was swollen⌠to the point where my vision was altered and I had black spots in my eyes for 4 weeks after delivery. I had developed a version of preeclampsia called HELLP Syndrome. I was put on magnesium and monitored extremely closely. The induction was too hard on my tiny baby and after 15 hours of labor she was taken via emergency c-section because her heart stopped beating following a dose of Pitocin.
I had issues with my spinal as I was rushed to the OR, and unfortunately was in excruciating pain during my c-section. I wound up being given a dose of anesthesia that knocked me out cold. I missed my sweet tiny baby being born, and she was whisked away to the NICU before I had a chance to meet her. Due to my blood pressure I had to stay on the magnesium for at least 24 hours, I was not allowed to see my baby until the following evening. I was still very sick, and could hardly see, but I was finally wheeled down to see my girl. I will never forget seeing her; she was only 2 lbs 9 oz- so delicate, so many tubes and wires, under these incredibly bright lights. And her diaper, that tiny little diaper. It fit in the palm of my hand. Her skin was red and her cry so soft, I called her my little red bird. I was so scared, both for my health and for hers. It took several weeks for us recover from the nightmare preeclampsia put us through, but eventually we were both on our way to being healthy and happy.
I look back now and I wonder what would have happened if I had not put myself in the hospital that Friday? By her birth day that following Tuesday I was well on my way to death, as was my child⌠and this was under a doctorâs care. I can only imagine what would have happened had I not listened to myself and to my body. I surely would have had seizures or worse, I could have lost my child. This story is why I decided to coordinate this walk. If I can make just one woman aware of the symptoms of preeclampsia, I may save a life. In most cases, this disease is mild⌠but it isnât always. Be vigilant in your health and that of your childâs. I developed preeclampsia during my subsequent pregnancy with my son as well, he was born at 33 weeks to the day and was an ounce under 4 lbs. But this time, I knew what to expect and so did my doctors. It was still extremely difficult, but I was knowledgeable about what to expect. Knowledge is power; knowledge is what I hope to bring to Greenwood by sharing my story and coordinating this walk.
