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Our Stories-Our Stories-How to Share Your Story Monica Bernard Hi. I developed preeclampsia and almost died with no warning at all too. I am a 38 year old female who was always healthy. I had three previous healthy pregnancies in 83, 88 and 89. In 98 I was treated for cervical cancer, then in 99, I was told I had a fibroid tumor which the doctors were just going to watch. I had not been using birth control in quite a few years because my chances for getting pregnant were very slim (supposedly). Considering the previous female problems and I also had a uterus that tipped greatly which made conception (supposedly) difficult. I was also in a new relationship. Well, in 2000, I was told I was pregnant. I thought I was having a nervous breakdown. My "baby" was 12 and I was 37. "How could I do this." I thought. Well, all through my pregnancy the doctors told me there was protein in my urine which they said just meant they were going to keep an eye on me. I felt excellent and continued with my life and on Sept 17, at 33 weeks pregnant, I was admitted all day for premature labor. The hospital kept me until evening and the contractions slowed. They gave me an appointment to go to my OB/GYN the next morning to be checked for dilation. The next day I went to my doctor and was put in the hospital in a padded bed scared out of my mind. I was TERRIFIED. My blood pressure was high so they thought bed rest and a controlled diet would help. Sept. 20 I was 34 weeks pregnant and the Doctor came in and said my condition was worsening so they were going to do an emergency amnio to see if the baby's lungs were developed enough for me to have her in this hospital or if I needed to be transported elsewhere. I was never informed of what my pressures were just that they were very high setting off the alarms on the pressure machines. Sept. 22 at 8:30 am I was put on Pitocin and after a 13 hour labor (without the benefit of drugs) I gave birth to a healthy 6 LB baby girl. My condition continued to get worse and was given sleeping pills to shut my body down to lower my pressures but nothing worked. I was sent home and referred to a Nephrologist and I kinda believed they thought I was going to die. I think I thought I was going to too. Regardless of what was given to me for meds nothing worked. One time in the ER my pressures were 220/123 this was about 3-4 months after giving birth. I was given Nitro which dropped it down to 126/70 then in 10 min. increments it gradually went back up to 176/90 and they sent me home. I have a blood pressure journal from the whole time and it is incredible. My Nephrologist ordered a renal duplex (to make sure kidney problems weren't causing it), then a chest xray [to check for a narrowed aorta),then she sent me for an echocardiogram which showed nothing. I have no history of blood pressure problems in my family. I am definitely not overweight. I had no other problems except for the protein in my urine and the sudden jump in pressure. The doctors all said giving birth cures preeclampsia, well they were wrong!!! My daughter is now 18 months old and I still have protein in my urine although not as bad. In the beginning it was like 3. something it is now .308. I still don't understand how it happened and nothing was ever explained. I was thrown into something which no one had control of and it scared the hell out of me. I would be more than happy to share the story from beginning to end with you although there is no end yet!!!! If I can save someone else from this then I know some good has come of this. Back to Our Stories
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