This week, I am excited to share another interview with a preeclampsia survivor whose normal pregnancy ended up anything but normal. Preeclampsia survivors are amazing and strong women who have faced some of the worst things you can face during pregnancy and postpartum.
In the past few months, I have interviewed a preeclampsia survivor from the UK and her husband as well as a postpartum preeclampsia survivor. The other interviews I have done are I interviewed a preeclampsia survivor who started her own Instagram page to bring awareness to NICU babies as well as one who created her own non-profit. I am in awe of these strong women who have taken something so traumatic and horrible into something that helps others.
I am a preeclampsia survivor, and if you would like to read my premature birth story and journey with preeclampsia, click here
Table of Contents
About Me
My name is Yasmin and I am 30 years old. I had my first kid at 29. I have a bachelor’s degree in animal science. Been married for 3 years to my husband. I’m German and he is Spanish.
Tell me about your pregnancy.
I had a normal pregnancy. I had morning sickness for the first six months to the point where the doctor almost gave me medicine because I couldn’t even keep water down towards the end of it. I never really got any cravings–actually lost weight the first six months. But everything else was like a normal pregnancy during the measurements for the ultrasound.
I worked until the day before I went into labor. I was supposed to work the day I went into labor but I had an appointment that morning. They found a little protein in my urine so my doctor sent me for an ultrasound just to check everything out.
Everything came back like a normal pregnancy but I didn’t feel good, so I called sick that day. I was only a centimeter dilated so the doctor told me to just go home and rest. He told me “you should be getting there by next week” because my next appointment would be 39 weeks.
I had a normal pregnancy in almost every way. I guess it was my first so I can’t compare it to anything. But all the tests and stuff came back as if I had a normal pregnancy, except the urine test the day I went into labor had a little protein. I did have spotting twice while I was pregnant but they said it was because I am RH negative and they gave me the shots for it. I started swelling when I was 7.5 months but it wasn’t crazy swelling.
What was it like the day your baby was born?
I barely remember anything from the hospital stay or delivery. I remember the day I had the emergency c-section because when the doctor came in he was upset with one of the nurses because he never got called. About 10 mins after he showed up, he came into my room and said I needed an emergency c-section. I was not coherent and was so out of it while I was in labor and until the day after my daughter was born.
The next thing I knew I was being rolled into the operation room and they gave me an epidural. The anesthesiologist messed it up the first time. They asked me if I wanted the clear sheet so I can see, but I said “ask my husband”. Then I know he came in and held my hand. I had my eyes closed for 90% of the surgery. I made a funny face and then said “I don’t feel good”. They kept asking me questions like
“Do you feel like you are going to puke?”
I shook my head yes and then I turned my head away from my husband and puked.
What happened next?
He said I puked on the anesthesiologist. Then I said sorry and I closed my eyes again. Next thing I knew my husband got up to cut the umbilical cord. I closed my eyes again and by that point, my daughter was whisked away. I don’t remember if my husband went with her to the nursery or not.
The next thing I remember was they came in and asked if it was okay if they give her a bottle. I was still being cleaned up because when the doctor delivered her, she pooped on her way out. So there was poop everywhere inside me, all over the baby and the surgery room. My husband said she had inhaled some liquid so they put her in the incubator and cleaned her mouth.
I closed my eyes and then I heard someone say that her blood pressure is dropping. I just felt sick and cold the whole time. As well as feeling pressure. The next time I woke up, the doctor asked me how I’m feeling. I told him that I have heartburn. He told me that we will get you something and it those feelings happen in a normal pregnancy. I don’t remember anything until later that day when I quickly opened my eyes and saw all these people coming in. They were my husband’s family and our family friend. I was so sleepy that I kept dosing in and out of sleep. My blood pressure was hitting about 200s/100s.
Tell me about your hospital stay when you were diagnosed with preeclampsia.
The hospital stay after the c-section was okay. Some nurses made me paranoid. My nurses were upset about the constant stream of people visiting me. I was in a lot of pain and was on major pain medication. I hated it because it made me feel like I wasn’t in this world. There are pictures of me holding the baby I don’t even remember. I look at them and I feel disgusted.
How has your life changed since the preeclampsia diagnosis? Is it back to normal?
I’m still on blood pressure medication even though I’m almost a year postpartum. My doctor wanted to wean me off but because of COVID, they are afraid too
Did you struggle with any emotions of failure/upset that it happened to you?
Yes, I feel like my body failed both of us. I feel like it’s still failing me. I have to be re-evaluated at my yearly check-up to see if I would be able to have more kids. Also to check-up on my body after all it went through.
How long did you suffer from the effects of preeclampsia?
I’m still dealing with swelling pain by my incision and I am still on blood pressure medication.
Describe your journey with preeclampsia in 3 words.
It was/is horrible
Your normal pregnancy ended up resulting in preeclampsia. Did you know that preeclampsia could occur before it happened to you?
I knew some people got it. But everything was fine my whole pregnancy so I didn’t think it would happen to me.
What advice would you give to women currently diagnosed with preeclampsia?
You are worth it. You are brave. Don’t listen to other people, I know, easier said than done.
What was your biggest support (friends, family, religion, etc)?
Watching my child was my biggest push to keep going.
What do you wish more people knew about preeclampsia?
That there is no proven reason for it. It can come out of nowhere at the last minute. Also the severity of it.
Want to stay up to date with my latest interviews?
Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter. I am also on social media through Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
If you are a preeclampsia survivor or HELLP syndrome survivor and would like to share your story, please contact me through email at courtney@knockonmotherhood.com. I would love to share your birth story and keep spreading awareness. I am trying to gather as many preeclampsia survivors’ birth stories as possible to spread awareness.
If you are a preemie mom, I would also love to share your story. Please contact me through email at courtney@knockonmotherhood.com.
Often times when we think back most of our pregnancy was normal, but it doesn’t always end up as a normal pregnancy. Preeclampsia sets in fast and we need to be informed. So, embrace what you went through and get this preeclampsia survivor shirt by clicking the image below to help inform others.
Knock On Motherhood is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com