January 23, 2024 By Samantha Vongunden
I am a two-time survivor of postpartum preeclampsia.
I found out I was pregnant with my first child in early 2020. Not too long after 20 weeks I began feeling significant sharp pain in my right ribs. Previously very active, I was now no longer able to complete a short walk without my hands swelling so bad that I couldn’t make a fist. I ended up having carpal tunnel, my forearms to finger tips painfully tingled for 2 months until I delivered. My blood pressure also slowly began to rise. It stayed just under 140/90. I brought all of these concerns up to my OB, she brushed them off every appointment. She ended up inducing me at 39w4d because I couldn’t take the symptoms anymore.
My daughter was born healthy at 9lb3oz. I hemorrhaged but I was able to be discharged after 2 days. The morning of discharge I let my nurse know that it burned to pee, UTI type painful. She told me that it was because I had orange juice & just had a vaginal birth. She then gave me some brief education for discharge. While leaving, I was 3lbs heavier than when I was admitted for the induction.
One day. I couldn’t walk up the stairs because my ankles were so swollen. I was taking Motrin & Tylenol around the clock. I missed 1 dose day 5PP, that’s when I found I had a 104 fever. The on-call OB suggested to go to the ER. I tried to use the bathroom before leaving and I couldn’t, the pain was excruciating.
My urine sample came back + protein. The PA was asking me tons of questions. I couldn’t see my vital signs behind me, my BP was 220/120. He told me I was being admitted and they would start IV antibiotics. Admission for a UTI seemed excessive mid pandemic.
The same nurse that discharged me a few days prior then came in and told me that she was starting a mag drip. That’s when I found out that I had preeclampsia. I had a headache for a few days but I wouldn’t classify it as “the worst I’ve ever had.” My liver enzymes were extremely elevated as well. It had all begun to make sense as to why I was feeling awful.
I had finished my course of antibiotics & mag, I was preparing to be discharged when my OB came on service. She began going on a rant about how she “didn’t think I had preeclampsia” and “didn’t think I had an infection.” She “didn’t know why I was admitted.”
Fast forward a few years later, new OB, and a solid plan for a second pregnancy. That time came and my OB kept a very close eye on me. Urine sample every visit, frequent appointments, thorough physical exams. My blood pressure went up again, but stayed in an acceptable limit. I didn’t experience near as much swelling. I took two baby aspirins a day in both the 2nd & 3rd trimesters.
I delivered a healthy 10lb9oz baby boy at 40w5d. I was hypertensive during labor & I was diagnosed with gestational hypertension. My heart sank, but I remained hopeful that I wouldn’t go through the same experience. My labs were normal at discharge but I noticed that my liver enzymes were almost high.
I had a one-week PP visit with my OB. All was well, but I would then be admitted for preeclampsia again at 10 days PP. I monitored my BP closely, I paid close attention to any headaches. Finally, a dull headache just wouldn’t go away. I went to the hospital & my BP began to rapidly rise, my liver enzymes were high. Round 2 began.
I was discharged 36 hours later, this time on BP medication. Due to the location of my IV, I have limited use of my left wrist, I get sharp pain in it any time I try to lift things with it. I was able to come off of my BP meds two months later. I am now 6mo PP and still teetering on the edge of needing to go back onto my BP meds.
I ended up reading the pathology report from my placenta. The pathologist suggested that I be tested for Anticardiolipin Syndrome, due to what they found while examining my placenta. I had my primary order bloodwork for that and all of the other related clotting disorders. They all came back negative. I was really hoping for an answer as to “why me?”
My perfect daughter, Katie, gave birth to her first child just eight days before she passed away due to postpartum complications. Her deliver...
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