Hi, new here, just found you all as was using a support forum based in the US.
Had no proper PE symptoms, then suddenly seized when in early labour at 38 weeks. Was my 5th child so totally unexpected.
I had some swelling on my hands for a few weeks but lots of women do, my BP never went any higher than 78 diastolic.
Apparently the word Eclampsia is a Greek word meaning 'bolt from the blue'. It truly was for me and I'm struggling to come to terms with it, no warnings, no nothing. I want someone or something to blame, but there's nothing, just my hazy memories playing over and over in my head.
Was hooked up to mag drip, fluids, 15min BP checks, everything. Surprised docs by seizing a 2nd time whilst on mag, but finaly delivered my baby girl naturaly with the help of a syntocin drip.
I had Eclampsia first followed by the pre Eclampsia symptoms.
I have very few memories of that day apart from not having ther strength to even hold my beautiful girl till the next day. I missed out on all her firsts, my husband did her first cuddle, feed, nappy change, everything really.
Bedbound with a catheter and epidural in place for at least 24hrs after labour, as platelets were so low they couldn't take it out.
I feel very lucky, looking at other stories that we both survived, but am watching my baby like a hawk to make sure she's developing properly. Worried if there is some damage from hypoxia when I was seizing.
She's 10m now and developing well, if a little slowly, just sitting & a bit of bum shuffling now.
Anyone else had a similar experience? I feel a kind of fake being here as my experience seems to be so different to most womens.