I’ve developed pre-eclampsia with both of my pregnancies. In my first pregnancy I had been educated on the signs and symptoms of pre-e but I did not realize I was experiencing them until I went to a routine appointment and my blood pressure was almost 170 systolic. The days leading up to my diagnosis I was experiencing dizziness and nausea but was telling myself it was because I probably needed something to eat (even when I ate the symptoms would not go away). I was taken out of work as a nurse and put on bed rest at 30 weeks gestation. We made it to my induction date of 37 weeks.

After birth, my son experienced difficultly breathing and was life flighted to our newest NICU where he stayed for a week. Luckily, I was able to be transported to the same hospital as him. He was intubated for two days, received two rounds of surfactant, and blue light therapy. It was one of hardest feats being a first time mom with a NICU baby and not being able to care for him. We weren’t able to hold him while he was intubated but the nurses did their best to involve us in his care and let us give all of the “hand hugs” we wanted. My husband and I were blessed to be offered a room at the Ronald McDonald house across from the hospital so we would be close to him.

Fearful for my second pregnancy, but more informed I started developing high blood pressure around 14 weeks gestation. I had almost the same symptoms as my first pregnancy with dizziness, nausea, but this time spots in my vision and headaches- because of my prior experience with pre- e I checked my blood pressure and informed my OB provider. This time I was placed on blood pressure medication. At 20 weeks gestation, my urine tested positive for protein and I was officially diagnosed with pre-eclampsia again. We continued to titrate and add more medications to control my high blood pressure. At 35 weeks gestation my water broke and my daughter was born. The nursery nurses gave her respiratory support for 15 minutes and she afterwards she did great. We did have an extended stay of 3 days to monitor her weight and bilirubin levels but she did not need blue light therapy. I now have a healthy 3 year old boy and 6 month old girl!