In January 2018, after my husband Joe and I had been trying to start a family for about a year, I found out I was pregnant with my first daughter. However, I was hospitalized after developing some alarming symptoms.
I was on vacation and felt very bad. I suffered from headaches, vomiting, swelling and high blood pressure. I was eventually diagnosed with a pregnancy complication called pre-eclampsia – a life-threatening condition that affects up to 5 per cent of pregnancies in the UK – and was transferred to the Manchester Antenatal Vascular Service (MAViS) at St Mary’s Hospital, partly treated by the National Service Foundation Trust Manchester Health at the University of Manchester.
The MAViS clinic offers specialized care for women with high blood pressure, preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. I heard about it, but didn’t know anything about it. All I knew was that Kim Kardashian had it late in her first pregnancy. It’s very rare that I developed this so early.
The clinic’s doctors diagnosed me with a very rare and potentially life-threatening complication of preeclampsia known as HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets), a serious complication of preeclampsia that occurs in less than one percent of cases. pregnancies.
Unfortunately, the only treatment option is childbirth. So, when I was just 23 weeks pregnant, I gave birth to our first child, Katie, who was unfortunately born sleeping. After six weeks, Professor Jenny Myers, a leading doctor, advised us to try for a baby again when we felt ready.
At first it was a very difficult time, both mentally and physically. The first six weeks after we lost Katie. I didn’t know how to be myself anymore, I was very numb from the experience. My blood pressure was still bothering me. Joe also had a lot of problems, especially because he has his own business. We just didn’t talk about it. In a way, we just needed to move on.
In June 2020, I became pregnant again and had check-ups at the clinic every two weeks. During my routine visits, the team noticed signs of preeclampsia and soon after a new diagnosis was made: HELLP syndrome.
Twenty-four weeks into my pregnancy, I gave birth to our second child, William, who was unfortunately still born. Grieving the loss of two children, Joe and I decided that we needed to live our lives to the fullest.
The second time we knew what to expect we did it once. We could do this again. This time we were better prepared emotionally and physically. It took us longer to grieve.
We were absolutely devastated by the loss of Katie and William. Joe and I talked about our future. I just couldn’t bear this grief again. Joe was ready to try again. Glad for the third time. But we found time for ourselves, so we went to concerts and booked vacations. We wanted to enjoy what we have, not what we don’t have.
In February 2022, I became pregnant for the third time. After expressing fears that I might have to go through the same experience again, I went to the clinic for help.
Jenny asked me what I would say to a friend if he was in the same situation. I knew right away that I wanted my friends to just give it a try and here is my answer.
During my third pregnancy, I visited the clinic about three times a week and was rediagnosed with preeclampsia. Incredibly, my baby and I managed to stay stable enough to make it to 28 weeks before labor became necessary. Twelve weeks before my due date, I was admitted to the hospital for a C-section and, against all odds, Erin was born on August 5, 2022.
She was the first to be born alive. It was a very surreal moment. Erin weighed just two pounds and one ounce and was immediately taken to the neonatal unit where she was put on a ventilator and stabilized. She spent a total of fourteen weeks in care.
Erin returned home last November and has been doing well ever since. She enjoys walking up the stairs every night and clapping her hands when she reaches the top. This is her little evening routine.
In total, I was in and out of the clinic for five years. It was a heartbreaking journey. During this time, I developed a close bond with the entire team. Erin’s middle name is actually Natalie, after our lead midwife Natalie Barry. She was so happy that she cried when we told her.
I am now committed to raising awareness about preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. I even spoke at an event organized by Action on Pre-Eclampsia, an organization dedicated to improving treatment for this disease. There I spoke to midwives and doctors and explained the patient’s point of view.
As for my pregnancy, I think I was just unlucky. This time something worked. I don’t know if it was the other drugs, more control, or some force that decided we deserved to be happy. I will always defend MAViS Clinic for all that it has done and will continue my advocacy for all women and families affected by this devastating pregnancy disease.
For more information about the MAViS Clinic visit https://mft.nhs.uk/saint-marys/services/maternity-services-obstetrics/specialist-antenatal-clinics-and-services/manchester-antenatal-cular-service-mavis. /
For more information on action on pre-eclampsia visit https://action-on-pre-eclampsia.org.uk/.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.