I never thought I would be the one. I think many of us who have had preeclampsia can say this. I was in the best health of my life before getting pregnant with my sweet baby girl Stella! Pregnancy started great and then towards week 28 I was miserable. Fainting spells, Star Wars vision, headaches, vomiting, and the swelling was the worst part also resulting in gaining 90 pounds! I could not believe how fast I was gaining weight towards the end with how active I was. I was told to slow down but keep doing life. So that’s what I did. Labor Day weekend will be one I never forget. I woke up for my first day of school, being a kindergarten teacher I prepped all summer for my classroom. I remember that weekend not being able to feel my legs or my right hand. Panic started. I thought maybe my legs went to sleep or maybe I was just that swollen but come to find out I looked in the mirror and could not even recognize myself. I was so swollen. It went from getting through this last couple weeks of pregnancy to something is very wrong in 24 hours. We went into the hospital and come to find out immediate induction needed to happen. Labor was long... 30 hours and all I wanted was to meet my sweet baby girl. Pushing went well until it wasn’t. Cords wrapped, Not breathing, cpap and complications. Next I started to have complications and that bad spiral started to happen that you never think will happen does. Thinking back it was that moment everything goes silent and dark and I remember praying to god we would be okay. I had zero control. My delivery doctor was an angel from above and literally kept me sane and confidant that I can do this I got this. We both finally stabilized and we’re able to finally be in each other’s arms. To say a big deep breath happened was an understatement. I couldn’t believe what we both went through which is supposed to be the most magical happy time was almost our worst nightmare. Trust your gut mamas. Advocate for yourself! If something does not feel right it probably isn’t! You are not crazy and things aren’t always “just fine” or “that’s normal”! If it wasn’t for my one doctor, Stella and I may not be here today. I may have not been able to prevent my preeclampsia but I can empower myself and other woman to advocate for themselves and feel heard.