By: Tova Leigh
Updated: April 14, 2020
Originally Published: June 8, 2016
I can’t see a white light, but I have an eerie feeling that my time is up. It’s a Friday night, and I find myself in an intensive care unit post-twin delivery at just 35 weeks and 3 days. My blood pressure is off the charts at 240 over 120, and I’m shaking uncontrollably. My muscles have gone rogue, and when the doctor asks if I can hear him, all I can do is stare blankly. Suddenly, three more doctors rush in, and I feel a sharp prick as they insert another IV. I’m being filled with medication in a frantic effort to tame my runaway blood pressure. No bright lights, but I know I’m teetering on the edge of life and death.
Let’s Rewind Eight Months
My husband, Greg, and I were trying to expand our family. We had our adorable 1 ½-year-old daughter, Mia, and were eager to give her a sibling. A pregnancy test confirmed our hopes—ten tests later, just to be sure. During our first ultrasound, the technician’s words echoed: “Congratulations are in order. How many would you like?” We both replied in unison: “One!” “Well, it’s two!” he exclaimed. Cue my manic laughter while Greg stood in shock before muttering, “I think I need a second job.”
I won’t bore you with every detail of the pregnancy, but let’s just say that carrying twins is no walk in the park. By week 12, I was already huge, suffering from morning sickness that lasted all day until week 26, and I struggled to find names I liked for both babies.
The Real Shock
The real shock came during a routine checkup at 28 weeks. I was late, and when the nurse took my blood pressure, it was high—no surprise there. After a second check, her worried expression said it all. “Is your eyesight blurry?” she asked. That’s when I learned the term “preeclampsia.” If you’re unfamiliar, it’s a serious condition during pregnancy where blood pressure skyrockets, risking organ failure and strokes for both mother and baby.
I was admitted that day and spent two grueling months in the hospital, each day filled with experts warning me that I might deliver within 24 hours. At 28 weeks, that was the last thing I wanted to hear. I knew tiny twins meant a lengthy NICU stay, and I had to focus on staying pregnant for as long as possible.
Believing in the power of positive thinking, I surrounded myself with uplifting stories and drank lots of water, convinced it was doing wonders. My goal was to reach 35 weeks. I could endure the hospital’s bland food, the daily blood tests, and the endless noise, but being away from Mia was the hardest part. In my darkest moments, I found myself wishing the babies would come so I could go home to her.
Miraculously, I made it nearly two months. I met brave women who inspired me—mothers squeezing every drop of milk for their premature babies, all while staying positive. It was an eye-opening experience that changed me forever.
The Birth of My Twins
At 35 weeks, I told the doctors, “Let’s do this!” My C-section was scheduled, and I was bursting with excitement to finally meet my twins. The moment I laid eyes on them, tears streamed down my face. They were so small—Dani weighed 4 lbs. 6 oz., and Arielle was even smaller at 4 lbs. 3 oz. I loved them instantly, relieved that the ordeal was finally over.
That night in intensive care, I sensed something was wrong. I called for a nurse, and my blood pressure readings confirmed my fears—it was dangerously high and climbing. Greg, who had dozed off in a chair, jolted awake amidst the chaos. I knew what was happening; I was slipping into eclampsia, which could lead to convulsions or worse. Panic set in as I realized that I might leave my three girls behind with a husband who didn’t grasp the gravity of the situation.
But I refused to accept that fate. I closed my eyes and pictured myself on a beach with a cocktail in hand. I imagined sipping a piña colada and then a margarita, hearing the doctor’s voice fade into the background as visions of my girls filled my mind. Despite the shaking and the medications, I smiled, knowing everything would be alright.
Suddenly, my blood pressure began to drop. My body calmed down, and when I opened my eyes, I was still here. I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the dedicated people around me, including Greg, who was finally realizing how close he had come to losing me.
That night was the longest of my life, but I knew the real challenges were just beginning. A few days later, I was thrilled to go home with my babies, and thus began my wild journey as a mother of three. From that day forward, I vowed to use humor as my secret weapon and positive thinking as my shield.
Resources for Expecting Mothers
For those navigating similar experiences, it’s essential to stay informed about pregnancy and conditions like eclampsia. You can find valuable resources at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
If you’re exploring home insemination options, check out this other blog post for more insights, and consider Cryobaby’s home intracervical insemination kit for your journey.
Conclusion
In summary, my experience with eclampsia following the birth of my twins was a harrowing and transformative journey that underscored the importance of resilience and positivity in the face of adversity.