When Noah (aka Smartie) turned 6 months (actual), we reflected back on our experience and wrote his birth story. We’d like to share our story - especially as it relates to preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome - to spread awareness of these conditions.

My blood pressure (BP) became extremely high the Saturday before Christmas 2023. I was on medication and while I didn't feel unwell, it was alarming. We went to the maternity ward to be assessed and was admitted for further monitoring. My diagnosis was early onset (before 34 weeks) preeclampsia, a condition which causes BP to rise, impairs kidney & liver function, platelet count, and causes seizure/stroke. I also had HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes & Low Platelet count), a complication of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia affects the blood flow to the placenta, so the only treatment is to deliver the baby & placenta.

The next few days were a blur. There were daily checks of BP, bloods and fetal monitoring. I was given magnesium to prevent seizure/stroke, which was very disorienting, as well as steroids to expedite the growth of the baby's lungs. As we were 10 weeks before the due date, it was a delicate balance as the baby needed to grow, but we both needed to avoid complications. We were lucky to receive care locally, and not need to be flown out.. Nevertheless, it was a scary time for us and our families.

After 3 days, the doctors advised that they would need to deliver the baby via c-section that morning (Boxing Day). My highest BP recorded was 205/91. Jon came in for the surgery and we heard the baby cry in the operating room (strong lungs). The nurse was able to capture our first family photo, before the baby was whisked off to the SCBU (special care baby unit).
After surgery, my BP was still uncontrolled so I spent the night in the maternity ICU room. I was not able to visit the baby in the SCBU until the next day. That was when we named him Noah. He was in an incubator and it was not easy to meet our baby that way, and to digest all the new info.

I was discharged on New Year’s Eve, which was also the first day we were able to hold Noah. It took several weeks for my blood pressure to normalize, and for us to find a daily routine for hospital visits. Noah graduated from the SCBU after 48 days! We are really grateful for our medical care, that we recovered from these diagnoses, and that our 30 weeker is so resilient!