Imagine a mysterious condition called preeclampsia creeping into the lives of pregnant women. It’s like a sneaky troublemaker, affecting about 5-8% of pregnancies and causing big problems.
This trouble usually starts around the 20th week of pregnancy, surprising women who had normal blood pressure before. The tricky part? Sometimes there are no warning signs, making it hard to catch early.
But how do we know if someone has preeclampsia? Well, there are a few clues. High blood pressure, protein in the urine, swelling—these are the signs doctors look for. But they can be tricky to spot because they might seem like normal pregnancy discomforts. Left untreated, preeclampsia can be dangerous for both the mom and the baby, stressing out important organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys. Plus, it raises the risk of other health problems later in life.
Now, there’s good news! Preeclampsia can be managed with medicine until the baby is ready to be born. Sometimes, pregnant women must stay in the hospital for a while to be watched closely. And when the baby is born, they might need some extra help in a special part of the hospital called the NICU.
A scary realization is that the rate of preeclampsia has gone up 25% in the last 20 years! The Preeclampsia Foundation (www.preeclampsia.org) was started with a mission of improving the outcomes of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy like preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and eclampsia by educating, supporting and engaging the affected community, improving healthcare practices, and finding a cure. They give out helpful materials such as self- monitoring blood pressure machines through their Cuff Kit Program, and they also have an empowered community of patients and experts with a diverse array of resources and support to help you have the best possible pregnancy.
My own experience with preeclampsia is why I got involved with the Preeclampsia Foundation. My symptoms came very suddenly, and I had to have an emergency C-section. My son had to spend 42 days in the NICU after being born at 2 pounds 11 ounces, but now he’s doing great as we just celebrated his first birthday in March! For countless others like me, the fight against preeclampsia is deeply personal. The Preeclampsia Foundation gave me a sense of community with women who share similar experiences as we work through this journey emotionally and physically together.
As I prepare to host the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia, I extend an invitation to all who wish to join me in solidarity. So, mark your calendars, set your alarms, and join us at Sunny Lake Park in Aurora, Ohio, on September 14th from 11 am to 2 pm. You can also find our event on Facebook “Promise Walk benefiting the Preeclampsia Foundation.” If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or donating to the event, please contact Christina Cooper at christinacooper427@gmail.com. Together, we can make a difference, one step at a time.
