In my first and only pregnancy I had a number of complications we were navigating, but pre-eclampsia was not one I expected. Of all the issues I'd struggled with, my blood pressure had always been perfect. I exercised regularly throughout pregnancy and even set my Peloton pregnancy PR on the Monday before my diagnosis! As we neared full term, I had stopped working at 36w5d and had plans to enjoy a few days before my scheduled cesarean section the next week.

At 37w I went in for a meeting at work (where I also get my OB care) and then ended the day with my routine OB visit. When my nurse told me my blood pressure was elevated, I didn't believe her and made her retake it. Sure enough, it was high. Given I was 37w, delivery was recommended. Even though I do this everyday with patients, I was in shock. We had my labs drawn and I had bargained with my OB to let me go home and repeat my BP the next morning with delivery if indicated at that time (even though I know better! Denial is powerful!). As my husband and I went to run a few errands my results came back and I saw I had HELLP syndrome. Still in denial I tried to run a few more errands before my OB called and when her name showed up on my phone, I knew exactly what she was going to say.

We ended up at the hospital that night and our daughter was born happy and healthy at 37w. I was not so lucky and suffered a number of complications related to my other pregnancy conditions. Postpartum I ended up in the IMC with worsening HELLP syndrome following a massive postpartum hemorrhage. I was on magnesium sulfate and memories from that first 24 hours are very fuzzy. I know how bad preeclampsia can be, and I had it bad, but I am just so so thankful for the amazing team I had taking care of me from my OBs, the OB nurses and the anesthesiologists. They are all the reason that I am alive today to see my daughter grow and for that I am so thankful.