XP from 9-12: One Year Ago today (a pregnancy-after pre-e and HELLP success story)

MSUMamaof2

***Note:  I was a frequent poster on this board a year ago.  At 30 weeks pregnant with Elijah, I developed PIH and spent 10 weeks on modified bed rest and blood pressure meds.  I never did develop pre-e or HELLP, however.  Just wanted anyone who might be pregnant with #2 after pre-e or HELLP or contemplating a pregnancy after those complications to know--it is possible to be relatively complication-free the second time around!!!!***

A year ago today, My DH and I welcomed Elijah into this world. 

 

8 months prior to that, we received the shock of our lives when I found out I was pregnant.  I was only a year removed from the severe pre-e and HELLP Syndrome that nearly took my life, but it was all too fresh in my mind.  Liver/kidney failure, massive blood loss, and NICU stays were etched into my brain.  I couldn't fathom how I'd be able to carry a pregnancy to term and survive another episode like that.  DH and I agonized for 3 weeks, telling no one we were pregnant, before meeting with a specialist who told us our pregnancy was a "go."  I was high-risk, however, but we'd work hard to keep from having the same complications. 

That day, I came home from our specialist's appointment and wrote Samuel a letter.  I gave it to my best friend to keep for him "just in case."  I wanted Sam to know how much I loved him, and that the love I had experienced as his mother gave me the strength I needed to bring his brother/sister into the world.  I spent the next 7 months praying.  

And then, a year ago today, Elijah arrived--and I experienced a wave of emotion that I'd never felt before.  He was okay, I was okay, everything was as I had pictured.  I sobbed tears of joy and relief on the operating table as I heard his first cry.  And I held my near-12 pound newborn immediately, something I didn't get to do with Samuel.  And we cried together.

Happy First Birthday, Elijah.  You are SO loved.  

valeriethedwarf

Thank you! Stories like this are what help me to get through each day hopeful that I will have my take home baby this time

bride711

Your post gave me the chills when I read it.

I am so happy for you.You give hope to pre-er's that they can go on and have other pregnancies with less severity.

You are always such a great support on this board. Thank you for always answering my pre-e post. I sent you a PM a couple weeks back. DH and I went to an MFM just last week to talk about TTC #2.

MSUMamaof2

valeriethedwarf:

Thank you! Stories like this are what help me to get through each day hopeful that I will have my take home baby this time

God bless you.  And your post made me tear up more than I've teared up today for Eli's birthday.  You reminded me of why I post here.  You'll be in my thoughts and prayers for a healthy pregnancy.  

FemmeNat01

Happy birthday, sweet Elijah!!! I cannot believe he is 1 year old already! How did time go by so quickly?

Your story always gives me that hope I need. Thank you so much.

MSUMamaof2

bride711:

Your post gave me the chills when I read it.

I am so happy for you.You give hope to pre-er's that they can go on and have other pregnancies with less severity.

You are always such a great support on this board. Thank you for always answering my pre-e post. I sent you a PM a couple weeks back. DH and I went to an MFM just last week to talk about TTC #2.

And I was thinking of YOU when I came and XPed this to this board. Wanted to give you a face and some pictures to put with that success story I've told you several times. It can be done, lady! See that 12 pound chunker? He was a full-term as they come....LOL! And you'll have to send me a PM and tell me how the MFM appointment went. I saw your post on here saying you were going.

bride711

MSUMamaof2:

bride711:

Your post gave me the chills when I read it.

I am so happy for you.You give hope to pre-er's that they can go on and have other pregnancies with less severity.

You are always such a great support on this board. Thank you for always answering my pre-e post. I sent you a PM a couple weeks back. DH and I went to an MFM just last week to talk about TTC #2.

And I was thinking of YOU when I came and XPed this to this board. Wanted to give you a face and some pictures to put with that success story I've told you several times. It can be done, lady! See that 12 pound chunker? He was a full-term as they come....LOL! And you'll have to send me a PM and tell me how the MFM appointment went. I saw your post on here saying you were going.

I just sent you a PM. You give me hope that I can do it too!! Let me know what you think of the PM. I wanted to get your thoughts on things!

Thanks:)

MSUMamaof2

bride711:

MSUMamaof2:

bride711:

Your post gave me the chills when I read it.

I am so happy for you.You give hope to pre-er's that they can go on and have other pregnancies with less severity.

You are always such a great support on this board. Thank you for always answering my pre-e post. I sent you a PM a couple weeks back. DH and I went to an MFM just last week to talk about TTC #2.

And I was thinking of YOU when I came and XPed this to this board. Wanted to give you a face and some pictures to put with that success story I've told you several times. It can be done, lady! See that 12 pound chunker? He was a full-term as they come....LOL! And you'll have to send me a PM and tell me how the MFM appointment went. I saw your post on here saying you were going.

I just sent you a PM. You give me hope that I can do it too!! Let me know what you think of the PM. I wanted to get your thoughts on things!

Thanks:)

PM back to you!