I started my pregnancy healthy, but after 20 weeks, I began to notice an increase in swelling that didn’t feel right to me. Throughout my pregnancy I saw lots of videos of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia on TikTok. It terrified me so much and I as neared the second trimester, I realized I could have this and spoke to my OB about my swelling during my 4 week follow up appointment.

I had took my glucose test that day as well, so she had me retake my blood pressure and sure enough it was higher than before. I also took a jug home to complete a 24 hour urine test and given a sheet to keep track of my blood pressure at home. Each day I took my blood pressure it kept getting higher and higher. I tried to stay positive and wanted to believe that my blood pressure cuff was broken. I was in shock and in denial, but could not shake the anxiety off. I stayed home for 1 week before calling my OB’s clinic and giving my recent blood pressure readings. I was given an appointment for the next day and sent to the hospital for further testing.

There I was admitted and diagnosed with preeclampsia. I was put on blood pressure medication and the magnesium drip as I waited to be transferred to a larger hospital. Once I was transferred they continued to monitor me and had planned to keep me there for 6 weeks to get my daughter to 34 weeks.

However my preeclampsia would progressively get worse. At the hospital I started experiencing some bleeding in my nose and mouth and a few nights later severe upper abdominal pain. Labs were ordered and I was put on the magnesium drip again and on oxygen. The following morning the doctor came and informed me that I had developed HELLP Syndrome and would be getting a c-section. My daughter was born at 28.5 weeks and spent 73 days in the NICU. It was hard to process everything from when I was admitted to when I was discharged. I was so scared before, during, and after.

Recovery was hard, but thankfully I did not need to continue taking blood pressure medication longer than a month, and my liver ultrasound came back normal. I’m also thankful to have my daughter healthy and home with me. I’m glad that I was made aware of preeclampsia and trusted my gut after experiencing abnormal swelling. I hope that my story can spread awareness and help other women with preeclampsia get treatment as soon as possible. Always trust your gut!