I experienced silent preeclampsia with my first pregnancy in 2016. My blood pressure was unstable and protein was detected in my urine leading to a preeclampsia diagnosis at 28 weeks. I was able to participate in close monitoring and delivered a healthy baby girl at 36 weeks. I never had any symptoms.

I became pregnant again ten years later and was immediately concerned about my risk for preeclampsia. I went over my medical history with my provider and was monitored for changes in blood pressure early on. My blood pressure began increasing at 15 weeks leading to medication and closer monitoring. Medications would work for a few weeks and then have to be increased. At 28 weeks, my labs indicated preeclampsia again. I did not have the expected symptoms. I was hospitalized at 29 weeks after my blood pressure stayed in the severe range. At this point, the goal was to stay inpatient and deliver at 34 weeks. Within days, my blood pressure became unmanageable and I began experiencing shortness of breath and headache. My care team decided delivery was our safest option. After multiple magnesium drips and an induction, our daughter was born healthy at exactly 30 weeks weighing 2 pounds 12 ounces. My blood pressure is finally staying managed on the highest dose of medication and I am being followed closely for postpartum reoccurrence. Our baby girl is doing well, but will require an extended nicu stay before she can come home. My preeclampsia came on earlier and much more severe in my second pregnancy.