My first pregnancy was a roller coaster ride for the family. I started off as a normal pregnant mother with good records in terms of the routine check ups. However, at the beginning of 3rd trimester, I was diagnosed with pre eclampsia and I was admitted to hospital for two weeks before delivery.
Trying to take a semi full-shot of my big tummy
So, what is pre eclampsia?
According to Mr Google, pre eclampsia is a condition that affects some pregnant women, usually during the second half of pregnancy (from week 20 onward) or soon after their baby is delivered. Early signs of pre-eclampsia include having high blood pressure (hypertension) and protein in your urine (proteinuria). According to some studies, 40% of pregnancy in the world has tendency of having pre eclampsia.
I was out for a work trip when I was 7-month pregnant
For my case, I remembered the symptom was having high blood pressure when I was at my 29 weeks. Hence, nurse required me to have alternate day check up for a week, just to ensure my blood pressure is normal. Everything went well but at the last check up, my readings went haywire and I was referred to the doctor for consultation.
Apart from having high blood pressure, my body weight shoot up to 70kg (20kg extra) within 1 week! I kid you not, those are my legs!!
Upon consultation, I was asked to be admitted to hospital right away – using ambulance. Both Wayne and I looked at each other and what went through our mind was “what’s going on?” I don’t have any pain or uneasy feeling-contraction, I was totally normal as usual; but yet, I need to go to the hospital in ambulance?
It was late evening that I was rushed to hospital – literally rushing like emergency but in fact, I was perfectly fine resting in the ambulance. Poor Wayne has to activate his skillful driving skill to follow the ambulance, squeezing through the traffic.
After a few check ups, my blood pressure was still slightly higher than usual and my urine has protein. The next thing we knew was that I was admitted to be monitored closely. I was placed nearest to the nurse station and every 4 to 6 hours, nurse will check my readings – both blood pressure and protein reading in my urine.
My first shot taken while I was admitted
My bed number
The days in hospital was not fun. Interrupted sleep as there was frequent check ups, as well as mothers shouting for help as they are about to deliver and babies crying. At that time, I was thinking how to reduce my readings as I really want to go home and rest.
We weren’t aware what’s so serious about high blood pressure and protein in urine content and pregnancy. Only at a later stage, doctor told us that I’ve pre eclampsia and this was among one of the most dangerous complication during pregnancy.
This was the device that could read the heart beat of the little one
Since my days in hospital was just sleep-eat repeat with shower in between, I did a lot of activities hoping to reduce my readings. I had the coloring app in my phone; soothing Buddhist song as well as the mantra book and magazine to keep me occupied. Also, I was clearing some emails too – unexpected admission, still need to finish up some work…
Some of the hospital meals - fried kuey teow
Looks like a balance meal - the taste was not too plain, edible
I went home and rest for the evening. After dinner, I was resting in the living hall. Something triggered me to search for pre eclampsia and I did. Read a blog post on it and I continued with a Hong Kong TVB drama. I remembered clearly it supposed to be a comedy drama, but my heart was beating extremely fast and I called for help.
My brother called the ambulance and when the medic was examining me, my blood pressure shoot up too high. There I was being rushed to hospital again, and being placed close to nurse station for another week.
The blood pressure and urine monitoring chart - I think I used 4-5 sheets
On the last day of my 2nd week of admission, doctor came and told us that I will be delivering the little one the next day. She further explained that not only my blood pressure reading was at a dangerous level, there was more protein found in my urine. Baby didn’t grow, maintaining the same weight of 1.45kg for the 2 weeks I was admitted. The best way – delivery (for the benefit of the mother) and incubator treatment (to grow the little one).
I was in my 32 weeks cycle and I still remembered clearly one question that we asked the doctor, “whether the little one will survive?” as she was way too small and some parts might not be fully delivered. Doctor’s reply was just “we will try our best” and they walked away from us. Again, both Wayne & I look at each other, I think I was tearing then; thinking whether she can make it a not. But, we don’t have a choice.
I went through cesarean (due to my high blood pressure, I wouldn’t make it if I go for normal delivery) and I must say, I’m impressed with the surgery method this day that I could hide the scar below my bikini – meaning, the scar is at the lower part of my body that I could cover using undergarment.
Our first family photo - in conjunction with the daddy's birthday
Today, the little one is growing healthily and she is catching up slowly. I guess, nothing worth more than having a healthy kid that you cherish forever!