I had a great pregnancy. Every doctor’s check up was wonderful. I ate healthier, home cooked meals (for the most part lol). I exercised 3-5 times a week for at least 30 minutes. Yes, there were some uncomfortable moments but I absolutely loved feeling my son move around and knowing I was growing such a beautiful human being.
At 39 weeks exactly, I woke up with the worst headache I ever had in my life. I used to have migraines but this was way worse! I took a Tylenol when I woke up and tried to go about my day. When my headache started getting worse I tried to eat, drink water, and even sleep it off but I was in so much pain I couldn’t. I cried on and off the whole day when Russell, my husband, finally told me to call the doctor. I called the doctor and left a message for the nurse to call me back. About thirty minutes later the nurse called me back and said I should get my blood pressure checked at the local hospital or come into their office. So Russell drove me to the doctors office where they took my blood pressure and the nurse said it was elevated but didn’t tell us what the numbers were exactly. She wanted me to lie down and relax for 5 minutes so that she could come check it again. Well, the second time she told us she was going to ask the doctor on call what he wanted to do because my blood pressure was still pretty high. She came back and told us the doctor wanted to admit me to monitor my blood pressure for the next few hours and that they already told the nurses I was coming.
When we got to the hospital we went straight to the second floor to labor and delivery. They had me change into a hospital gown. I told them I had to use the bathroom but they said to wait because they needed a sample of my urine. Next the nurse put a catheter in to get the clean urine sample and left the room. I told them I still needed to use the bathroom so they said I could.
I got into the bathroom and walked over to the toilet but I just stood there. It was like I forgot what I was doing. I finally realized what I was trying to do but when I tried to walk closer to sit down all I was doing was spinning in circles. I realized that something was wrong because I couldn’t do what I was trying to. I wanted to call for help but the words couldn’t come out. Next thing I know, I stop the spinning but my right arm is up and wouldn't go down and it started to shake terribly. A few seconds later, I fell against the bathroom door and blacked out while I had a Grand Mal seizure. Russell and the nurse heard me banging against the door but thought I had locked myself in or something until the nurse saw my hair moving out from under the door.
The next thing I remember is waking up to the doctor, that came from his office down the road, saying “ Shanell you just had a seizure.” The nurses asked what day it was and who the President was. I never saw this doctor in my life…I was so confused to say the least. I never expected for that to happen. My blood pressure was higher than 200/100! He told me that in order to keep from having another seizure or anything else happening we needed to do a C-section right away! Out of everything, that was the worst thing I could have possibly heard because my whole pregnancy all I wanted was a vaginal non-medicated birth. I immediately started bawling but I knew it was the best thing so that my son and I could live. Russell called my family to come up. They had him sign the consent forms and wheeled me back for the spinal right away.
I only really remember hearing things during my C-section, I couldn't see. I felt so relieved when I heard Preston cry and cry and cry for the first time because I knew that he was alive! I remember Russell telling me that he was here and how excited his voice sounded.
They left while the doctor stitched me up then Russell stayed with me in the recovery room for a while and showed me a picture of our beautiful son (which I put on Facebook of course lol). That was the first time I remember seeing him. Then I went to sleep until my family got there 6-8 hours later.
I didn’t get to eat or get out of the bed for a couple of days because of the anti-seizure medicine I was on. A few days after my C-section, I had to have a blood transfusion because I was so weak. I stayed in the hospital for six days. They ended up having to put me on blood pressure medication because preeclampsia can last up to six weeks after you give birth. And I felt weak and horrible for those next six weeks for the most part. I also had a lot of flashbacks and anxiety about having another seizure.
I know many people have worse stories and I am truly grateful that mine didn’t turn out like one of theirs; but I know that this happened to me for a reason and I believe it is to help others and bring awareness to this disease. It’s hard for me to share all this with so many people but if it saves one persons life that’s all that matters to me. Pregnant women and people in general need to know more information on this because it’s still taking lives today! I had no signs or symptoms for Preeclampsia, except the day I gave birth. After doing some research, I found out that the only risk factor I had was that it was my first pregnancy…which is quite common. Eclampsia is rare compared to preeclampsia and it usually starts off as preeclampsia that gradually gets worse but my blood pressure was fine less than a week before I gave birth and all throughout my pregnancy. It can happen to ANYONE and show up at ANYTIME after 20 weeks!
Although sometimes there are no symptoms, if you or someone you know is pregnant and experiencing any headaches, nausea/vomiting, swelling, abdominal or shoulder pain, sudden weight gain, changes in vision, shortness of breath, changes in vision, or lower back pain, please don't hesitate to call your doctor even after hours.
When we got to the hospital we went straight to the second floor to labor and delivery. They had me change into a hospital gown. I told them I had to use the bathroom but they said to wait because they needed a sample of my urine. Next the nurse put a catheter in to get the clean urine sample and left the room. I told them I still needed to use the bathroom so they said I could.
I got into the bathroom and walked over to the toilet but I just stood there. It was like I forgot what I was doing. I finally realized what I was trying to do but when I tried to walk closer to sit down all I was doing was spinning in circles. I realized that something was wrong because I couldn’t do what I was trying to. I wanted to call for help but the words couldn’t come out. Next thing I know, I stop the spinning but my right arm is up and wouldn't go down and it started to shake terribly. A few seconds later, I fell against the bathroom door and blacked out while I had a Grand Mal seizure. Russell and the nurse heard me banging against the door but thought I had locked myself in or something until the nurse saw my hair moving out from under the door.
The next thing I remember is waking up to the doctor, that came from his office down the road, saying “ Shanell you just had a seizure.” The nurses asked what day it was and who the President was. I never saw this doctor in my life…I was so confused to say the least. I never expected for that to happen. My blood pressure was higher than 200/100! He told me that in order to keep from having another seizure or anything else happening we needed to do a C-section right away! Out of everything, that was the worst thing I could have possibly heard because my whole pregnancy all I wanted was a vaginal non-medicated birth. I immediately started bawling but I knew it was the best thing so that my son and I could live. Russell called my family to come up. They had him sign the consent forms and wheeled me back for the spinal right away.
I only really remember hearing things during my C-section, I couldn't see. I felt so relieved when I heard Preston cry and cry and cry for the first time because I knew that he was alive! I remember Russell telling me that he was here and how excited his voice sounded.
They left while the doctor stitched me up then Russell stayed with me in the recovery room for a while and showed me a picture of our beautiful son (which I put on Facebook of course lol). That was the first time I remember seeing him. Then I went to sleep until my family got there 6-8 hours later.
I didn’t get to eat or get out of the bed for a couple of days because of the anti-seizure medicine I was on. A few days after my C-section, I had to have a blood transfusion because I was so weak. I stayed in the hospital for six days. They ended up having to put me on blood pressure medication because preeclampsia can last up to six weeks after you give birth. And I felt weak and horrible for those next six weeks for the most part. I also had a lot of flashbacks and anxiety about having another seizure.
I know many people have worse stories and I am truly grateful that mine didn’t turn out like one of theirs; but I know that this happened to me for a reason and I believe it is to help others and bring awareness to this disease. It’s hard for me to share all this with so many people but if it saves one persons life that’s all that matters to me. Pregnant women and people in general need to know more information on this because it’s still taking lives today! I had no signs or symptoms for Preeclampsia, except the day I gave birth. After doing some research, I found out that the only risk factor I had was that it was my first pregnancy…which is quite common. Eclampsia is rare compared to preeclampsia and it usually starts off as preeclampsia that gradually gets worse but my blood pressure was fine less than a week before I gave birth and all throughout my pregnancy. It can happen to ANYONE and show up at ANYTIME after 20 weeks!
Although sometimes there are no symptoms, if you or someone you know is pregnant and experiencing any headaches, nausea/vomiting, swelling, abdominal or shoulder pain, sudden weight gain, changes in vision, shortness of breath, changes in vision, or lower back pain, please don't hesitate to call your doctor even after hours.
