I Came Close to Losing My Life to Eclampsia After Welcoming My Twins

I Came Close to Losing My Life to Eclampsia After Welcoming My TwinsGet Pregnant Fast

It’s a chilling reality when you find yourself on the brink of death, and I experienced that firsthand. Picture this: it’s a Friday night, and I’m lying in an ICU bed following the birth of my twins at just 35 weeks and 3 days. My blood pressure has skyrocketed to 240 over 120, and my body is shaking uncontrollably. I can’t even respond when the doctor asks if I can hear him. Suddenly, three more doctors rush in, and they insert a second IV into my arm. I’m being inundated with medication, all in a frantic bid to stabilize my dangerously high blood pressure. Although I don’t see a white light, I have an overwhelming sense that my time is running out.

Related: Discover the Critical Facts About High Blood Pressure and Preeclampsia During Pregnancy

Let’s rewind eight months. My husband and I were eager to expand our family. With our beautiful 18-month-old daughter, we longed for a sibling for her. A pregnancy test revealed a positive result, and after taking a few more (as is often the case), our first scan brought a shocking revelation. The technician congratulated us, but then asked, “How many congratulations would you like?” We responded in unison, “One!” to which he replied, “Well, it’s two as far as I can tell.” I erupted into laughter, while my husband stood frozen in disbelief. After a moment, he calmly stated, “I need to get a second job.”

I won’t bore you with every detail of the pregnancy, but carrying twins is no easy feat. By 12 weeks, I was huge, suffered from morning sickness that lasted until week 26, and struggled to find two names I loved.

The real shock came during a routine checkup at 28 weeks. I arrived late and expected my high blood pressure reading. However, when the nurse took a second measurement, her expression changed. “Is your eyesight blurry?” she asked, and I instantly knew that wasn’t a good sign. After a urine sample, I heard the term “preeclampsia” for the first time. This condition means that your organs could fail and your blood pressure could lead to a stroke—essentially, it can be life-threatening for both mother and baby.

I was admitted to the hospital that day and spent the next two months there. Daily, specialists would inform me that I might deliver within 24 hours. At 28 weeks, this was not what I wanted to hear, as I feared the twins would need intensive care due to their size.

Determined to stay positive, I focused my thoughts on hopeful outcomes. I reached out to supportive communities online for uplifting stories and read extensively about my condition to understand my body and options. I drank copious amounts of water, convinced it was cleansing me, and visualized myself carrying the babies to week 35. I knew that reaching that milestone would mean they would be okay.

Meanwhile, my daughter, Lily, who had just turned two, was at home without me. This was the hardest part. I could endure hospital food, constant noise, and daily tests, but being away from Lily was heart-wrenching. In my lowest moments, I wished for the twins to arrive early, just so I could return to her.

Amazingly, I managed to hold on for nearly two months. During my stay, I met incredibly strong women, mothers who fought fiercely for their premature babies and shared their stories of resilience. This experience transformed me in ways I never expected.

Finally, at 35 weeks, I told the doctors, “That’s enough. Let’s get them out.” I was ecstatic to finally meet my little ones. When I first saw them, I was overwhelmed. Dani weighed 4 lbs. 6 oz., and Arielle was even smaller at 4 lbs. 3 oz. I loved them instantly, despite Arielle’s unfortunate looks at that moment.

That night in ICU, I sensed something was wrong and called for a nurse to check my blood pressure. Alarmingly high, it continued to climb. Within minutes, I was surrounded by doctors. I knew what was coming: eclampsia, a condition marked by convulsions, leading to coma or death. As my body began to shake uncontrollably, fear engulfed me. How could I leave my three girls behind?

In that terrifying moment, I decided to escape mentally. I envisioned myself on a beach enjoying cocktails, then transported myself to Paris indulging in cheese I had missed during pregnancy. My surroundings faded, and I focused on the faces of my daughters, breathing in their essence. Suddenly, my blood pressure began to drop. I opened my eyes to find I was still alive.

Gratitude washed over me for the dedicated team around me, especially my husband, who finally grasped how close he was to losing me. The night stretched painfully long, but I knew the true challenges were just beginning. A few days later, I was finally allowed to take my babies home, and the whirlwind of parenting three kids commenced. From that point on, I resolved to use humor as my secret weapon and positive thinking as my shield.

For more insights into pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource from the CDC. If you’re considering at-home insemination, you might want to explore the products available at this reputable online retailer for insemination kits. And for those interested, read about my journey in our other blog post.

Summary

This blog recounts a harrowing experience of nearly succumbing to eclampsia after the premature birth of twins. The author reflects on the challenges of pregnancy, the emotional toll of hospital stays, and the overwhelming joy of motherhood. Through humor and positivity, she navigates her journey, emphasizing the importance of support and resilience.


Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

intracervicalinsemination.org