I had no idea what preeclampsia was until I had it. No one within my family or friends had it, so it was unheard of. At my 36 week appointment my blood pressure was slightly elevated, so my OB said she would be watching that as I may be induced within the next 1-2 weeks. 2 days later I had the school nurse at work check my blood pressure just to see if it was still high. It actually was higher and she recommended I go in to get checked. My blood pressure continued to climb and I wasn’t responding to IV meds. I was given a mag drip, which at that time I had no idea it was to protect my brain from seizures due to severe range blood pressure and hyperreflexia. My OB sat down and held my hand and told me I needed to have this baby now and that meant an emergency c-section. I was thankfully 36 weeks and 6 days, so my baby came out healthy and strong. I had lingering high BP for a couple weeks, but was able to get off the BP meds and had no lasting effects of preeclampsia. What is scary is I had no idea I was sick. I felt absolutely fine and only had the nurse check my blood pressure just because. Had I not done that and went in, my OB said I would’ve definitely gotten very sick in the next few days and my situation would’ve been worse.

Fast forward 2 years and I was expecting again. I was more aware of preeclampsia and checked my BP on occasion. Which led to me noticing my BP was slightly elevated again so I went in. I was 31 weeks 2 days and got a diagnosis of preeclampsia without severe features. I was given steroid shots to mature baby’s lungs as delivery was unpredictable. Thankfully I made it to 37 weeks without my condition worsening and I had another healthy baby and no lasting effects of preeclampsia.