Being pregnant is a wonderful thing. But it comes with many concerns, including taking care of not only yourself but also the growing baby inside.
I tried doing the best I can. I took all the required supplements, ate a healthy diet to avoid gaining too much weight and managed my pregnancy well.
However, little did I know, near the end of my second trimester, I experienced the worst headache of my life, and my blood pressure reading skyrocketed!
I never imagined that the stresses I was subjected to at work and in my immediate surroundings would have such an impact on me. I’ve tried to relax by getting enough rest, but it appears that these measures were indeed insufficient.
It got to the point where my body couldn’t handle even minor stress that I used to be able to ignore when I wasn’t pregnant.
It’s frightening how the body, emotion, and mind changes during pregnancy.
There’s more to tell, so keep reading as I share my experience dealing with high blood pressure until I was finally diagnosed with preeclampsia!
Needing to Take Hypertension Medicine
After being diagnosed with gestational hypertension, I made an effort not to let things get into my head so that I wouldn’t stress out so much.
Even though I had received adequate rest, my blood pressure rose. My doctor was completely taken aback when it reached 180, nearly 200.
I had to start taking blood pressure medication so that it would not affect me as well as the baby.
Once I started taking my medication once a day, and my blood pressure slowly returned to normal. I was relieved to no longer have the constant headache that was bothering me.
However, having to rely on that medication on top of the other supplements that I have to take was not enjoyable.
In case you’re wondering what gestational hypertension is, here is the description by Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“Gestational hypertension is a condition that happens when you only have high blood pressure during pregnancy and do not have protein in your urine or other heart or kidney problems. It is typically diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy or close to delivery. Gestational hypertension usually goes away after you give birth. However, some women with gestational hypertension have a higher risk of developing chronic hypertension in the future.”
Being Diagnosed with Pre-eclampsia
After taking the medication, everything was going smoothly until I reached the halfway point of my third trimester.
My severe headaches returned, and they are persistent.
Furthermore, I felt completely uncomfortable moving around due to the unusual swelling in my hands, legs, and face. I went for a check-up this time and discovered that my blood pressure was high and that there was protein in my urine as well.
Soon after, my doctor informed me that I had pre-eclampsia.
Worried about whether I would be able to deliver my baby safely, I felt as though my entire world had been turned upside down.
By that point, I had nearly all of the pre-eclampsia symptoms present.
If you have any doubts about what they are, the Mayo Clinic listed the following symptoms:
- High blood pressure
- Excess protein in the urine (proteinuria) or other signs of kidney problems
- Decreased levels of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia)
- Increased liver enzymes that indicate liver problems
- Severe headaches
- Changes in vision, including temporary loss of vision, blurred vision, or light sensitivity
- Shortness of breath, caused by fluid in the lungs
- Pain in the upper belly, usually under the ribs on the right side
- Nausea or vomiting
I was also curious as to what causes pre-eclampsia, but there appears to be no definitive answer.
The exact cause of pre-eclampsia is unknown, according to NHS UK. But it is thought to occur when there is a problem with the placenta, the organ that connects the baby’s blood supply to its mother’s.
Only a healthcare professional can diagnose the condition, so if you suspect you are exhibiting any of the symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
You should also read the Q&A about the condition to get more information.
How My Pre-eclampsia Led to an Emergency C-Section
My birth plan was to have a normal delivery, but because I had pre-eclampsia, my doctor was concerned about how my body would handle the stress.
Nothing could have prepared me for the shocking news that I needed a caesarean section.
I was terrified just thinking about the knife going across my stomach and the scar it would leave. All sorts of thoughts raced through my mind, but all I wanted was to have my baby delivered safely.
After all, according to my doctor, the only way to cure pre-eclampsia is to deliver the baby.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, treatment for pre-eclampsia is generally dependent on how severe the condition is and how far along the pregnancy is. If you’re close to full term (37 weeks or more pregnant), as I was, your baby will most likely be delivered early.
While a vaginal birth is still an option, a Caesarean section (C-section) may be advised in some cases.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to control your blood pressure while you are pregnant and to aid in the development of the baby’s lungs.
Sometimes it is safer to deliver the baby sooner than to take the chance of having a longer pregnancy.
So, in the end, my firstborn was delivered via c-section and was immediately transferred to the NICU due to his small size. He got sick a lot until he was about two or three years old, but it was nothing serious.
Now he’s the cutest thing ever, and I’ll never regret getting that c-section.
It was painful at first, and healing took time, but it was all worth it in the end.
This scar is beautiful, and it reminds me that I am a mother to my wonderful son.
My Message: Take Care of Yourself While Pregnant
I find it hard to believe that the event described in this story occurred almost four years ago. I thought I’d share this with all the mothers and mothers-to-be out there so you can be more cautious during your pregnancy.
Plus, I want to stress that you should never place the blame for something like this on yourself. When you’re pregnant, certain events can come as a complete surprise and leave you feeling unprepared.
Always keep your head on straight, seek the right advice, and stay focused on you and the baby. You’ve got this, mummies! <3
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