This time 2 years ago, I was diagnosed with postpartum preeclampsia. This was my third baby and I was feeling fine when we got discharged from the hospital. The days and nights were busy with having 2 older children and caring for a new baby, but I was feeling fine and felt like I had the energy to do things.

That morning, 6 days after I delivered Nathan, I was relaxing on the couch watching a movie with my husband and our baby while the 2 older kids were at school. I had some headache and started to see floating spots in my vision and my husband immediately took my BP which recorded at 176/110 as the highest. I called an advice nurse and was told to go to the ER. From there, they hooked me up on 24-hour magnesium drip (to prevent seizures) and BP control medication intravenously. They also saw traces of protein in my urine. They decided to keep me in the hospital so they could monitor me.

For the next 4 nights, it was a struggle to keep my BP down. In the end I had to take 2 different medications, one at the highest dosage possible for me, to help keep my BP down. I was hooked up to a heart monitor, had chills at night, and had what felt like endless blood exams. It was so hard to be separated from my newborn and my 2 other kids, thinking about my husband and how he's able to manage everything, and at the same doing my best to stay calm. It was a frightening and very emotional time. I prayed so hard to God to give me more time with my family. Those were the longest 4 days of my life but I'm grateful I survived it.

The ER doctor asked me if I caught the symptoms on time and nobody knows what could happen had I waited a few more hours. To this day, I am extremely grateful that I listened to my body. Educating myself about this condition has also helped me know the signs.

I have spent a lot of time reading and learning more about it since then. Increased awareness about this condition and its symptoms is helpful for any pregnant woman or new mom to know. Given that this condition is rare, I hope there can be more research on what causes it and that more can be done to prevent and treat it.