November: Premature Awareness 

The month of November represents a few awareness, I would like to speak on Premature awareness. In the United States, about one in eight babies are born premature. This condition usually develops and detected in their late pregnancy generally after twenty weeks. This disorder may cause a few symptoms but not limited to damaging the organs, may cause headaches, abdominal pain, visual disturbances, vomiting, diarrhea. Pre-Eclampsia can be treated with oral or IV medications until the baby is mature enough to be delivered. Pre-Eclampsia is a hypertension disorder that pregnant women develop.

My experience happened on Sunday September 15, 2013 after an afternoon lunch with my family. I was 31 weeks pregnant experiencing contractions, swollen feet, light headed, and dehydration. I contacted my ob-gyn that night and she informed me to take a warm bath, drink lots of fluid, elevate my feet. My ob-gyn also advised if the symptoms become worst the next day to come in right away. I decided to go into work the next day Monday September 16, 2013, experiencing the same symptoms from the previous night. I contacted my physician during my break at work, she advised me to come in for an emergency appointment. When I arrived at the doctor’s office, she did a routine check and determined my blood pressure was extremely high.

 I was immediately admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with Pre-Eclampsia. I was admitted for seven days in the hospital, monitored by Physicians and nurses with an IV attached to my arm. At that moment, I was scared, confused, and nervous about what was going on with my body. I was very active in the gym, eating a healthy food selection, drinking lots of fluids, attending my routine checks with my physician. I decided to research the diagnosis and to have a better understanding of its history. From what I found about the history of Pre-Eclampsia had shocked my family and I. We had no idea that it affected lots of women who were about twenty or more weeks pregnant with normal blood pressure. I was experiencing so many mixed emotions and could not understand why this was happening. I was a little happy my mother, and family members were by my side during this journey.

My family and I were still unaware of the sex of my unborn baby because we chose to wait until the delivery. I had to withdraw from my classes at school which was advised from my physician. I had to email my professors of the situation I was facing. I had returned to college for the spring semester of 2014 online classes to work towards my degree on Social Work. I was given different medications administered through my IV. My Ob-Gyn had induced my labor and on September 21, 2013 around 2:40pm, I gave birth to a tiny little baby girl. She immediately started to cry and was admitted to the Nurse Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for observation and testing.

I encourage women and men who are deciding to extend their family to take the time and research. Being aware of those signs and symptoms, which can risk the chances of death. With the tools and medicine, we have available may reduce those chances. I have posted available sites below that you can read or bring to your physician’s attention. There are so many websites and books to learn about this disorder that affects pregnant women. Please share with family and friends.