Sheila's story

In 1986 I was 20 yrs old and pregnant with my first child. I didn't have insurance so I was being seen at the local charity hospital. On my 38 week visit I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and admitted to the hospital to be induced. That was a monday morning. Upon being admitted to the hospital my bp was 172/112. They began a pitocin drip.

By that evening I was 3cm dilated and in labor. But the labor progressed slowly and they left me in labor, exhausted, and scared until Friday morning. Finally that Friday they decided to break my waters to see if it would push my labor along. I was only 6cm at that point.

At last, that night at 11:03 pm, I gave birth to my daughter. Who thank God was and is very healthy. I on the other hand was completely worn out. I was released that Saturday morning 12 hours after her birth because they needed my bed. I must have a guardian angel because I came out of it all very well.

My next child, also a daughter, was born with no complications at all.

In 1997 I was 31 and pregnant with my 3rd child. I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia at 36 weeks and put on bed rest at home. By this time I had insurance and could afford good health care. By my 38th week the pre-eclampsia was showing signs of progressing so my doctor admitted me. I was admitted to the hospital at 4:00pm on May 15 and administered cervidil. I was to be put on pitocin the next morning but it never came to that because at 3:00 am on May 16, 1997 I gave birth to my 8 lbs 9 oz son who was perfectly healthy.

My husband and I are trying to conceive again and I worry sometimes about pre-eclampsia rearing its ugly head. But I'm confident that with good health care me and my baby will be alright.

Sheila