This past weekend was a little bit wild. On Friday I went to my one week post pregnancy check up. The nurse took my blood pressure and with a frown said : "hmmm....your blood pressure is a little high..."
I had completely normal blood pressure throughout the whole pregnancy.
I kinda wrote it off - Hubs and I had had the kind of morning where we were both a little annoyed with one another, Little One was not being himself and winning like crazy, we were concerned about Baby Brother's circumcision, and I had lost my wallet a few days earlier - and couldn't find it anywhere. Of course my blood pressure was high!
The doctor comes in, toting the blood pressure cart. She checks my blood pressure two more times. And two more times it is high. She then discusses with me all of the symptoms of post partum preeclampsia. Headaches, seeing spots, high blood pressure, aches in your side...ok, got it. She then instructed me to monitor my blood pressure at CVS throughout the weekend, and if it was higher than 139 over 40 - to call her.
I went Saturday morning with Little One - and it was next to impossible for me to sit still for the test while my toddler was exploring CVS. I had to take the test multiple times, only to get a reading of 144 over 58. I decided that my blood pressure was elevated due to the toddler factor, and decided I would come back later and get a more accurate reading.
On my way home, I began seeing spots. Great.
I returned to CVS that evening - and my blood pressure was 158 over 90. Not good. Especially because things had been resolved between Hubs and I, I had no toddler with me, BB circumcision was just fine, and I had found my wallet. So, I gave my doctor a call - and she told me to go to the ER and tell them that I just gave birth and have really high blood pressure - and they'd know what to do from there.
At the ER my blood pressure was 181 over 101. Really not good. And, come to think of it, I had had two or three fierce headaches that week, and my ankles had been very swollen. hmmm...
After monitoring me, they decided that I needed to be admitted! What? I couldn't really believe it. I guess I was in danger of having seizures and who wants that? I was admitted to the labor and delivery floor - and they gave me a 24 hour dose of magnesium sulfate. That stuff is HORRID. I suddenly felt like I had been hit by a truck - and that I had the worse case of flu ever. I can't imagine having that stuff given to me while pregnant and then giving birth. (I guess that's what they do for pre-labor preeclamsia.) But, once I had the magnesium sulfate, I have a very slim chance of having a seizure and my blood pressure went way down. After they took me off the MS - I was feeing completely normal within a few hours. Wild! I was released yesterday, and feeling fine (although a little tired) today.
Thankfully, my MIL had flown in on Saturday for a visit. She was here for no less than one hour when we announced that we had to go to the hospital. "Are you joking?" she asked so sweetly. I am so thankful that she's here. I brought Baby Brother with me to the hospital, but when we arrived, there was a lady throwing up, and another moaning miserably - and I just couldn't stand to expose him to all of the germs. I told Hubs to take him right back home.
When I found out that we would be in the Labor and Delivery ward, I was hopeful that Baby Brother could come and be with me during my stay. But, the nurse discouraged it - and she was so right. There was no way I could have cared for him being under the Mag Sulfate. So, I just pumped and sent my milk home to feed our little guy. It was so hard being away from him for so long!
So, that's the story of my weekend. It was so random and unexpected - I still can't believe we went through that. I really have so much to be thankful for. The timing of my MIL's visit, modern day preventative medicine, and that I have an attentive and detailed oriented doctor.
God is good, all the time - and all the time, God is good.
8 comments:
Oh my, I feel so sorry for you. What an awful experience- I did not know that you could get that post-partum. I am really suprised that you could not keep the baby with you even just to feed him and have them keep him in the nursery. I am glad you are feeling better. I enjoyed the pictures from your last post.
I, too, am surprised you could not keep the baby with you! And, I am so sorry you had to go through this. My dr. warned me that if I did not do my bed rest I would end up on the MS and he assured me that I did not want to do that. Ick! Hope you will heal quickly and completely!
Rebecca,
Bless your sweet heart! Thinking of you and hoping this week will go more smoothly!
Well...as much as I hate you had to go to the hospital...I'm SOOOOOO glad you did. That blood pressure is nothing to mess with. Sounds like things are settling down now, just another reason I wish we were closer:(
Oh, I sympathize. I had pre-eclampsia with my first pregnancy (and lost the baby) and it was horrid. The mag sulfate is nasty.
Glad you're all better now.
Rebecca,
I am so glad you are better and that MIL is there with you. Praying for you this week!
Oh, Rebecca, I'm so sorry! Take it easy and enjoy those boys. Hope you are doing better very soon! Remember that messes can wait, but these times with your kiddos and doing what you need to do for your health can't.
Dear Rebecca, what an ordeal! I'm so sorry you had to go through that, but thankful your MIL was there to help with your sweet babies. Hope you are feeling much better by now and that you have smooth sailing from here on! Blessings to you and your sweet family, Ruth O.
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