January 16, 2023 By Nancy Caballero
On November 21st 2016 I went in to be seen at my local OB clinic for some swelling. This was on post on Fort Bragg, NC. I was sent to L&D for high blood pressure. I was monitored for 24 hours and had a urine check for protein done. I was then diagnosed with preeclampsia with sever features. I was put on magnesium and induced with pitocin.
I have little to no recollection of my hospital stay. I just remember having headaches and feeling very ill. The nurses and doctors just said it was from the magnesium. I was discharged four/five days later. My son did great. I, on the other hand, suffered. I was sent home with a headache and dizziness. I spent the first two months after my son was born in bed because I couldn’t get up from being so dizzy. I could stand up for more than a minute or two without feeling ill.
I got into doula work about a year ago and knowing what I know now I could’ve advocated for myself so much better. My experience is something I look back at so frequently. While I am grateful my son was okay and healthy I look back at me and what I went through and cry. I think trauma is very real and it derived from my birth experience.
This was my third time experiencing severe preeclampsia—what were the odds? This time, it was much worse. At 24 weeks pregnant, I knew someth...
ReadMore