I ALMOST HAD A STROKE..
I ALMOST HAD A STROKE
signs /symptoms of preeclampsia!
what is preeclampsia ? A potentially dangerous pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure.
Pre-eclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in a woman whose blood pressure had been normal. It can lead to serious, even fatal, complications for both mother and baby.In my case I was diagnosed with preeclampsia AFTER i had my baby .
during labor and delivery my anxiety was on a thousand . this caused my blood pressure to sky rocket . but me thinking it’s normal “pre game jitters “ I didn’t put too much energy into I thought eventually my blood pressure will subside and go back to normal . this was new experience for me my feelings of being terrified were valid and doctors said that could be the reason to my blood pressure being high . I was on edge my whole entire laboring process but maybe a day after having my baby something about just felt off . I wasn’t expecting to feel 100% I just pushed a baby out the day before
but this was a feeling I never felt before . It felt like the room was spinning every time I would get up to use the restroom em still just thinking maybe this is long lasting side effects of the epidural . and mind you my legs did feel a bit weird the next day so again not allot of thought was into it . I told this to my doctors they kept me and baby for an extra day just be on the safe side and I gotten medication for my high bloood pressure …
it did what it was supposed to do for the time being the next day I was able to get discharged but days later I’m still feeling the same but not as much but as week’s progress and I was like a week out from my 6 weeks check up this time I felt like my eyes where playing tricks on me everything would be so blurry and my feet were super swollen ! This worried me so I contacted my dr through my chart . he said I can come to see him . Mind you as I’m getting ready everything is spinning , I can’t really see clearly . And o having trouble maneuvering around this never been a problem for me so I knew something was off !
I went to the appointment they checked everything he said I was fine and it’s normal for your blood pressure to fluctuate after having a baby .something about his medical judgment wasn’t sitting right with me because I know my body personally and I know when something is wrong and it just felt like I was getting worse by the day .
So I followed my intuition and set up a follow up appointment with my primary care provider I went to get check a week after my appointment with my OBGYN and it was confirmed the swelled feet ,blurred vision, dizziness was no coincidence… I had preeclampsia and she said I’m happy you came to me when you did your pupils are dilated and your blood pressure is off the charts any more time spent waiting it out I could’ve possible had a stroke . I then explained to her how tense I would feel at time when I’m trying to wake up and get out a bed
This was overall such a scary experience and I’m sharing this to say follow your instinct ladies you know you body more than anybody else if something don’t feel right go see about it ..it can potentially save your life !
in some cases there won’t be any symptoms
High blood pressure and protein in the urine are key features. There may also be swelling in the legs and water retention, but this can be hard to distinguish from normal pregnancy.
Preeclampsia is something doctors don't talk about enough. I didn't question it until the doctor found out my blood pressure was at stroke and seizure levels. If you're pregnant, make sure you know the warning signs! No one educated me on it, and I wish l'd known.
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When I was going through my preeclampsia scare, one of the most alarming symptoms was the sudden and severe swelling. While some swelling in pregnancy is totally normal – hello, puffy ankles! – what I experienced, especially the persistent swollen feet and later, even my hands feeling tight, was different. It's so easy to dismiss these things, especially as a new mother focused on your newborn baby, but distinguishing between normal pregnancy swelling and a red flag for preeclampsia is crucial. Normal pregnancy swelling (edema) often affects your feet and ankles, especially at the end of the day or in hot weather. It usually improves with rest and elevation. But with preeclampsia, the swelling can be much more sudden, severe, and widespread, affecting your hands, face, and even your abdomen. My doctor later explained that this type of swelling, called 'pitting edema,' often doesn't go away easily and is a sign your body is retaining too much fluid due to issues with blood vessels. I remember pressing on my skin and the indentation just stayed there, which was a huge alarm bell. If you notice your hands are suddenly very swollen, your rings feel tight, or you can press your finger into your skin and leave an indentation that stays for a while, don't ignore it. This kind of swelling, especially when it comes with other symptoms I experienced like blurry vision, persistent headaches, or that weird 'spinning room' feeling, is a major warning sign. For me, it escalated quickly after delivery, even while I was still in my hospital bed, recovering with my IV line. It wasn't just my feet anymore; my whole body felt puffy and uncomfortable. It's so important for expectant mothers and new moms to be aware. If you're pregnant and experiencing unexpected or severe swollen hands, a sudden increase in swelling, or any of the other preeclampsia symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Don't wait for your next appointment, and don't hesitate to get a second opinion if you feel dismissed, like I did. Your health, and your baby's, are paramount. I remember seeing myself in that hospital bathroom mirror, IV in arm, trying to understand why I felt so off. It's a scary time, but knowing the signs empowers you to advocate for yourself. My experience taught me that no one knows your body better than you do. Even when medical professionals initially told me it was 'normal,' my intuition screamed otherwise. That persistent feeling of 'something being off' led me to seek further help, and it literally saved me from a potential stroke. So, if you're a new mother with a newborn baby, or still in your pregnancy journey, and you're reading this because you're worried about swollen hands or other symptoms, please, listen to your gut. It could be the most important decision you make for your health and well-being.
Being pregnant and being in labor is the closest thing to death a woman can experience. From the time we find out to the time we give birth, it’s so scary to make sure everything goes right. That stroke wasn’t in your plans God had his hands on you and you baby. Bless you and your handsome son 🩵🙏🏽