My Second and LAST Pregnancy (Part 2)

Continued…

On Monday, October 25th, I made my way to the hospital to see my doctor around 11:30 AM.

They took me in immediately and ran blood and urine tests. By 4:00 PM, the nurse began preparing me for discharge. She removed the IV and blood pressure cuff and told me that everything looked good so far. They were just waiting on one final test result before I could leave.

About thirty minutes later, the nurse returned but this time with the charge nurse. They said they needed to speak with me. I assumed it was about the COVID vaccine, since I was unvaccinated and they had been encouraging all pregnant patients to get it. I braced myself for a lecture.

Things Took a Turn

Instead, they explained that my final test results had come in, and they noticed something concerning. They asked if I had a history of elevated liver enzymes. I told them I did during my first pregnancy, which they had previously attributed to hyperemesis gravidarum.

The nurses then told me that my doctor had reviewed the labs with a panel of specialists. The diagnosis was preeclampsia, and they had decided I needed to be induced immediately.

My life and my unborn son’s life were at risk. If we waited, there was no guarantee we would both make it.

I was alone, in shock, and convinced they had the wrong patient. I asked to speak to my doctor, who came in and confirmed everything. I broke down crying. I wasn’t thinking of myself... I was terrified for my son. I just kept saying through my tears, “He’s not ready yet.” His due date wasn’t until November 25th- Thanksgiving Day.

I called my husband, my mom, and my sister. My husband dropped our daughter off at my mom’s and headed straight to the hospital. While I waited, the nurses were throwing so much information at me, and I honestly couldn’t process any of it. I just sat there and listened.

Emergency Induction

They administered a steroid shot to help the baby’s lungs with development, then inserted another IV and transferred me to labor and delivery.

My husband arrived around 8:00 PM. He brought me dinner, but I threw most of it up shortly after. Then they gave me the induction medication, Cytotec.

When a nurse helped me to the bathroom, she asked how I was feeling and mentioned that she had noticed I was having contractions even before receiving the medication. Apparently, my body was already gearing up for labor!

The Epidural Nightmare

Around midnight, I received the epidural. I had actually been scheduled to meet with an anesthesiologist later that week due to my existing back conditions, including scoliosis and an L4/L5 disc herniation- but there wasn’t time for that.

They attempted the epidural four times! I was almost hysterical. The pain and pressure from the needle were unbearable, and I just wanted it to be over.

The Power of Magnesium

I was also put on an IV magnesium drip. The nurse explained that it could affect the baby, making him groggy for the first few days. They called this having a “mag baby.”

The side effects hit hard. I sometimes saw double and felt dizzy, like I had been drinking. Every time I woke up from a short nap, I would throw up, and the burning sensation in my throat was awful. I also couldn’t use the bathroom on my own, so they inserted a catheter... twice. (I sneezed hard, and it came right out the first time!)

Labor Progress

At 10:00 AM, the doctor checked and said I was only 4 cm dilated. I told my husband and sister to go home and get some rest. We assumed the baby wouldn’t arrive anytime soon.

At 2:45 PM, another doctor checked and said I was still at 4 cm. Frustrated, I decided to take a nap.

At 3:15 PM, my mom called to check in. As I answered, I felt a strange kick that felt like the baby had hit something between my legs but it turned out to be the catheter shifting. Then came stomach pain and an intense urge to 💩, yep - poop!

I called the nurse, and she told me that because I was on magnesium, I couldn’t go to the bathroom- but if I had to go, I should just go in the bed and she’d clean it up afterward. I couldn’t bring myself to do that, no matter how nice she was.

My mom offered to wake my husband and sister, but I told her not to. I didn’t want them sitting around for hours waiting on me. Typical me.

A few minutes later, the pain came back stronger than ever. I pushed, thinking it was just the urge to go to the bathroom, and suddenly my body took over. I couldn’t control anything, it felt like I was possessed.

The Delivery

The pain was intense, and I kept slamming the epidural button, only to realize it wasn’t working! I screamed for the nurse. She rushed in and called for someone to check me again. At first, they hesitated because I had only been 4 cm less than an hour ago, but when they saw my face, they agreed.

The doctor checked and exclaimed, “Oh! It’s time! We’re having a baby!”

Suddenly the room was full of nurses and doctors.

Thankfully, my mom ignored me and had already sent my husband and sister back to the hospital. But my son had his own timeline. Before anyone was truly ready... before my husband could make it back... our son made a splashy entrance into the world! 🐣

He was born at 3:38 PM on Tuesday, October 26th.

A Miracle Ending

My husband and sister arrived about six minutes later and watched as the medical team examined our son. Because he was born at 35 weeks, they warned us he would likely need to stay in the NICU.

They wheeled him out for testing and returned 30 minutes later with news that brought us joy: our baby boy was perfectly healthy and didn’t need to stay in the NICU!

The Road to Recovery

A few days later, we were home as a family of four. Our son was more perfect than we ever imagined.

I wasn’t entirely in the clear. I needed frequent blood pressure monitoring, follow-ups, and medication. I even caught a virus in the hospital that caused another spike in blood pressure and landed me back in for a brief visit.

Thankfully, a few weeks later, my blood pressure stabilized and things began to feel more normal. Even now, I haven’t fully processed everything that happened. One thing I do know is that I did not have postpartum depression. For that, I was incredibly grateful. 🙏

Raising Awareness

Preeclampsia can come on suddenly and without warning, before or after childbirth.

It’s important to know the signs. Click here to read more on the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia from Glow by WebMD.