At a routine appointment with a hematologist (I was anemic throughout my pregnancy and needed to get iron infusions) on a Monday afternoon my nurse giggled and said, “are you nervous for the doctor today?” … “Not at all, why?” … “Your blood pressure is 168/123”. I had never had high blood pressure in my life and instantly knew something was very wrong. I was 32 weeks pregnant with no symptoms of preeclampsia. At a routine appointment on a Monday afternoon, my “pregnancy/birth plan” completely changed.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to advocate for yourself. While the doctor and nurse seemed concerned about my high blood pressure, they brushed it off and said to give my OB a call once I leave and maybe they’d want to see me.

I asked that they take my blood pressure one more time. They did, and it was now 187/114. I left instantly, called my OB and she immediately directed me to Labor and Delivery at the hospital.

After arriving, I was monitored for hours until my doctor walked in saying “Well girl, you just booked yourself a stay until you deliver.” I felt like my world flipped upside down. Thoughts running through my mind of “what did I do wrong?”, “is my baby going to make it?”, “am I going to be ok?”.

One of the strangest parts of my preeclampsia experience was that I had NO other symptoms. Had I not gotten my blood pressure checked at that routine appointment and taken it upon myself to get ahold of my OB and escalate the situation, this story could be completely different. I had no idea. I had no upper right side pain, no swelling, no fatigue, no headaches, no blurred vision. This was a complete surprise.

The goal was to last until 34 weeks. We made it! After 2 weeks of fighting my rising blood pressure with meds, magnesium, steroid shots, ultrasounds, etc. I was induced. 30 hours after the start of induction, progress was slow and our baby’s heart rate dipped to 40. It was time for an emergency c section.

Sutton Mary Alm was delivered 6 weeks early, weighing 4 lbs. 10 oz. and 18 inches long. She was intubated and after a few hours was breathing on her own with some oxygen support. She was tiny but perfect.

I spent a total of 17 days in the hospital, and Sutton spent 31 days in the NICU learning to breathe independently and eat on her own.

Fast forward, I now have a perfectly healthy 1.5 year old. You’d never know her mama had preeclampsia and that she made an early arrival into the world. We are currently expecting a baby boy, due in January 2023, and thanks to the medical research and foundations supporting the continued science and prevention initiatives for preeclampsia we are confident in the steps we are taking this pregnancy to ensure mama and baby are as healthy as can be!