Sarah’s Story (@thebumpdiary1) 

Before I got pregnant, I was the picture of health. No issues, no concerns. I was the one looking after patients, not the other way around. So, when my blood pressure was a little elevated at my first antenatal appointment, I thought it was due to anxiety. Nothing to worry about, right? But a few weeks later, at my first ultrasound, my BP was much higher. After the scan, they told me I was at high risk of developing pre-eclampsia. They suggested I start taking aspirin (NB: for various reasons, that never happened). Before heading home, I had to visit the Maternal Assessment Unit. Three BP checks later, my numbers were back to normal. Since I’m a nurse, they trusted me to keep an eye out for any warning signs. So, I was discharged. I decided to purchase a BP monitor to keep on checking my BP at home. I did so in the morning and at night.

Each time I saw my midwife, it was the same story – my BP would be a bit high at the start of the appointment, then settle down by the end. Eventually, one of the midwifes got worried enough to refer me to the BP clinic. And that’s when the weekly (sometimes twice-weekly) appointments started. As my pregnancy progressed and my belly grew heavier, everything became harder. Weeks later, I was diagnosed with pregnancy-induced hypertension, which then led to pre-eclampsia (at 34W+3 when protein showed up in my urine). Every appointment brought more concern, more tears. Every single time I cried either on my way to the hospital or on the way back. I was confused and scared. I had heard of pre-eclampsia, but I never imagined it would be like this. I felt so alone; I didn’t know anyone who had been through it. Everything I read online just made me more terrified – both my life and my baby’s were at risk. I genuinely thought I might not make it. And to be honest, my baby and I almost didn’t.

Somehow, with close monitoring, I managed to reach full term, but I had to be induced. That’s when the real trauma began. The first pessary (used for induction) did nothing. The second one kicked in fast and so did the pain. My pain was underestimated and mismanaged. A few hours later, they eventually realised I was in active labor. Gas and air didn’t help. I begged for an epidural, knowing the pain would impact my BP. I had a contraction right at the time the needle was inserted into my lower back. I was terrified to move, scared I might end up paralysed, but my body had reached its breaking point. That’s when my blood pressure spiked, and my baby went into foetal distress. When the epidural kicked in, I became a prisoner in my own body – I could hear everything around me, but I couldn’t move. My baby’s heart rate wasn’t recovering… Despite all I had gone through, I was only 9 cm dilated at that time, so they rushed me in for an emergency C-section.

Everything happened so fast. I’m not even sure how much time passed before I woke up in recovery. But when I did, I finally got to hold my baby. My husband and I had kept the gender a surprise, so when I found out we had a baby girl, it was a moment of pure joy amidst all the chaos. I was eventually transferred to the ward and discharged a few days later. I thought it was all behind me. My BP seemed to be back to normal. But the day after I got home, I was right back in the hospital with a BP over 140/90. Many more medical setbacks followed, for months, but that’s a story for another day. This journey was nothing like what I expected. Pre-eclampsia is so much more than just high blood pressure and protein in the urine: it’s a whirlwind of fear, confusion and unexpected challenges. I’m grateful we made it through, but it’s an experience that’s changed me forever.