My husband and I were overjoyed when we found out we were expecting and due February 2019. I had what I thought was a normal pregnancy according to the book i was reading. Although, at 31 weeks I started having swelling in my feet, i could see the line of my sock on my ankles. I thought that was just a normal pregnancy symptom. I thought since I was having a routine doctor's appointment the following week (Thursday) I could address it with them. I had no other symptoms, nothing I thought cause for concern. However on Tuesday morning the first week of December 2018, I started seeing black spots in my eyes. I thought since I got in my car the sun blinded me. I went to work from there. By the end of my 8 hour shift my legs were even more swollen and I was so tired I just wanted to take a shower and nap. I didnt feel "right". I was beyond exhausted and layed in bed, thinking another normal symptom. Two hours later I went to the bathroom and realized I was bleeding. I called the doctor and they told me just to get checked at the hospital. My husband and I went not knowing what was to come. We waited in a busy waiting room for over an hour, bleeding and not knowing why. I was then taken to a room and almost had a seizure not too long afterwards.

My blood pressure sky rocketed. I then was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and a possible placental abruption. I was admitted. By the next day (Wednesday) I blacked in and out. I don't remember much of that day. Then Thursday came (which would have been my doctors appointment), my blood pressure was even higher and no drop in sight. Although we tried a natural birth through induction it failed due to time and distress, decisions had to be made. My husband suited up to go with me for a 3am emergency c section. I had a 2lb 9oz baby boy. I didn't know it until later on that he didn't cry right away after he was delivered. He was healthy but admitted to the NICU for a little over a month. I struggled with high blood pressure for weeks after I was discharged.How bad was this you may ask? When I went into the hospital I wore a size 6 shoe. The swelling from the whole thing became so bad I left the hospital in my best friend's size 9 shoe! I could barely lift my legs out of bed for weeks! I was prescribed high blood pressure meds which i was be on until i bottomed out. In the end I never thought this would happen to me. I was literally 2 pages away in the book I was reading about my pregnancy (about pre-eclampsia)! I beat myself up alot after that for a while. I got advice, wisdom and help through a Facebook group with women who had the same kind of stories about Pre-eclampsia for help, conpassion and careness from my friends and family, and strength and love through my husband and little boy throughout it all. Today I have a healthy 5 year old. My advice, if something doesn't feel "right" or "off" get checked out immediately. What I thought was normal excellercated quickly into something life threatening. Waiting just a few days for a routine doctor's appointment put me and my baby at risk. I am an advocate and survivor of Pre-eclampsia, a wife and a mother who shares this story.