My husband and I had been trying to conceive for a year and a half with no luck so we began fertility treatments and became pregnant with triplets via IUI. I had a perfect pregnancy (considering it was times three) up until 30 weeks. I began to swell a lot and the doctors ordered ultrasounds on my legs to check for blood clots. My blood pressure was not yet high at that point so they didn't take it too seriously. At 32 weeks and 3 days I began to cramp horribly and told my husband that I had to go to the hospital. As soon as I arrived they inserted a catheter and began monitoring my urine and blood pressure. I was admitted on a Saturday and since there is less personnel on the weekends they really wanted to hold off on delivering until Monday since triplets require a lot of people. Monday morning came and my doctor said he had no choice but to deliver for the safety of me and the babies due to my blood pressure going through the roof.
I'll never forget the nurses continuously telling me to roll on my side when they would check my blood pressure because apparently that position helps to lower it. I finally said if my blood pressure is high then there's a reason so let's do something about it, not hide it!! After the delivery the next morning they wanted to take me off the magnesium sulfate but they quickly realized that something was seriously wrong with me! The entire right side of my face was not moving! They did cat scans, MRI's, poking and prodding until they found fluid on my brain. They sent in a neurologist team and diagnosed me with Bells Palsy. On top of that my preeclampsia had turned into HELLP syndrome which explained why my blood pressure was still through the roof after I delivered. I of course didn't realize the seriousness of this disorder until the nurse pulled the curtains shut to my friends and family and simply said "she's very sick". HELLP can cause seizures, excessive bleeding and kidneys to shut down if not caught in time.
They wanted to do an immediate blood transfusion because I had become anemic during the C-section. While waiting for the blood I had to use the restroom for the first time so Joe and the nurse on either side walked me in. Because of the loss of blood I had become so weak that I actually collapsed onto the floor. They believe that when this happened I created a hematoma on my incision (along with everything else). Finally I received the transfusion in hopes to be on the mends after! Not so much! My blood pressure was still high so I had to get a platelet transfusion.
The hardest party was not being able to see my three beautiful children for the first 3 days of their lives because I couldn't go down to the NICU since I was so sick. I had to rely on my husband to take pictures of them and show me.
Finally after a week of being in the hospital I was sent home with blood pressure medicine that I had to take three times a day for a month until my pressure eventually came down as the swelling lessened. It took about a month for the Bells Palsy to go away as well.
We now have 3 11-month old triplets, Ava, Gavin and Brayden. I thank God every day that he got me far into the pregnancy so they were delivered at a healthy weight. I also thank God every day that he got me through that week while I lay in the hospital bed thinking "what if I don't make it..."?
I share this story to those out there that have suffered, may suffer or know that someone that has suffered from this disorder as support and information. I have recently signed up with the Preeclampsia Foundation where I can volunteer even just one hour a month of my time creating awareness for people out there as well as organizing fundraisers to help with the research of Preeclampsia and HELLP.
I just wanted to thank you for sharing your story! Avi sent me to your website. I ended up with Preeclampsia at the end of my pregnancy as well. I was 39 weeks when they induced me. My daughter was born small but healthy. I on the other hand had to go on a Mag drip. My livers went up and my BP was out of control. I am 12 weeks out and my BP is still all over the place (dr thinks it will eventually go back to pre-pregnancy), but no other symptoms of Preeclampsia or HELLP. My daughter is very healthy, so that is a true blessing. Thank you for getting the information out there so other women can know they are not alone.
ReplyDeleteI also siffered from preeclampsia. My protein spill was at 10,000 and my bp stayed at 170/110 up until last week. My daughter was born in 4/9/11 at 31 1/2weeks gestation.she was 3 lbs 3oz.sure should be able to leave nicu next week. Im so glad your babies are alright and I appreciate you sharing your story its always nice to know your not alone.
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