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My birth storyBefore now, I only shared this with a select few people, but in light of preeclampsia awareness month AND as I approach my breakthrough of victory and healing, it’s time to tell my birth story.

A little less than a month before my baby was due, I went in for a routine weekly appointment with my OB. I never imagined that I would be holding my newborn within 24 hours! In my appointment, we discovered that my blood pressure had spiked and I had developed preeclampsia in the days since my last visit.

Over the past few weeks, I had begun to retain unbelievable amounts of water even though I spent more time in the restroom than anywhere else. It was a strange sensation to put on all that water weight because I had been so morning sick the first 6 months that I barely gained any weight. (Such a bummer too, because up to that point I’d avoided stretch marks! A small price to pay for the gift of a baby, though!)

Since I was 2 days shy of 37 weeks, my OB sent me straight to the hospital where I was admitted and labor was induced. By the grace of God and wisdom of my doctor, I safely and naturally delivered my daughter within 24 hours. For most preeclampsia patients, their blood pressure returns to normal as soon as the placenta is delivered and their body is no longer “pregnant.” But I was the exception. Upon delivering the placenta, my blood pressure went through the roof and the medical team took swift action to begin pumping me with magnesium to try and prevent a stroke. Meanwhile, my preemie baby was whisked away to the NICU for some help with her glucose levels and respiratory challenges. She was there for 3 days and then was returned to my husband with specific instructions to treat her high bilirubin count. She did great!

My blood pressure was CRAZY high for weeks and I basically spent the first two weeks in the cardiac ICU while my mom and husband took my baby home. It was a profound test of faith (that some days I failed), and even once I got home, I was on tons of drugs and my BP was scary high for months. (Read about The lessons I learned in the heat of the battle.) I had to monitor it several times a day and administer extra medication as necessary which made me dizzy, confused, and exhausted. Being up all night with a newborn plus wondering if I would have to be readmitted to the hospital again (because it happened multiple times) made for a very stressful launch into motherhood.

Today I am still on one medication for blood pressure, but it’s getting better every day. I believe without a doubt, that the Lord will heal my body 100%, and my blood pressure will be healthier that it ever has been before. Because that’s just the kind of Heavenly Father I have.

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” –Matthew 7:11

If you are facing a preeclampsia diagnosis now or, like me, had high BP after delivery—I’m praying for you! Press in to Jehovah RAPHA—the Lord our HEALER—and seek His face. Miracles are possible when you believe!

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” –Romans 8:28

I first heard of preeclampsia a year or two before my own brush with it on Downton Abbey, believe it or not! Today they have a lot of technology available to treat and manage it. I’m truly grateful for my physician who got my baby and me through it safely.

Please help spread the word by sharing this post and stories of your own! May is preeclampsia awareness month!

Preeclampsia awareness– LEARN MORE: http://www.preeclampsia.org/

All my love,

PH alt sig smiley

 

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