This is what the seizure box looked like. But it was older, [This week marks the anniversary of my pregnancy saga, so for the next few days I'm going to take some time to reflect on what happened last year and how it's affected me since.]
The on-call doctor was one I’d never seen, and when she called me back, she yelled at me. In a nutshell it went like this: “What is wrong with you? Why didn’t you call earlier? Get to the hospital now! Stat!”
Throughout my pregnancy, I’d worried about the moment I would travel to the hospital for delivery. We live about 35 minutes from the hospital, and my husband worked evenings. I just wasn’t sure who would take me in an emergency. And there I was, not going to the hospital to deliver, but still pretty sure I shouldn’t drive myself 35 minutes in traffic to the hospital.
After calling my husband and parents, they decided, due to where everyone was at the time, my parents would pick me up and Mark would meet us at the hospital. While I waited for my parents, I packed a bag with some extra clothes, a magazine for Mark and toiletries, I gave my cats extra food and water, took a shower and shaved my legs. Just in case, you know.
I checked into the hospital that night and had the painful experience of getting an IV. Painful because nobody could find a vein. I was that puffy. Not that they didn’t try. Oh, they poked and prodded my hands and arms and finally, my neck. Thanks to an hour of work from an anesthetist with steady, cold hands.
At some point that night, a nurse brought a big black case into my room labeled, “Seizures,” and placed it on the counter. Directly across from my bed. All I could do was laugh, because that was probably the least comforting thing someone could have done after telling me that my blood pressure was spiking like crazy and oh, by the way, pre-eclampsia can cause seizures and yes, even death.
Awesome.
————————————————–
Can’t get enough of Giving Up on Perfect? Subscribe here, follow me on Twitter and join my Facebook page.
You shaved your legs at 7+ months pregnant? I gave that up MUCH earlier than that. :) I am impressed.
Well, I wasn’t sure what they’d be doing to me at the hospital. Oh, I don’t know – I think it’s safe to say my brain was NOT working properly then! :)
I never knew all these details, Photo — which is probably a good thing! And you’re right — they should have a code word on the outside of the seizure box, not ‘seizure.’
My doctor had specifically told me to call him immediately after my water broke. So the morning it broke, I decided to shower and wash my hair before I called since I knew he’d want me to go immediately to the hospital. I needed to have freshly washed hair… ya know? I’m sure you understand. Can’t remember if I shaved my legs too though.
I am sitting on the edge of my seat with this story. You’re torturing us. LOL! I was reading this morning before I ate breakfast and started feeling a little faint with the talk of needles and veins. Ugh, I’m a baby that way. Anxious to hear more.
Ugh!!! You are a good storyteller!
I am so glad that I didn’t have any emergencies with my pre-eclampsia…other than the severely high bp and dizziness and all that–I at least got to lay on my side for 4 days at home before they induced me…no scary heartburn symptoms to speak of!
Chelley – when Mark called people from the hospital, he really downplayed the seriousness, saying he didn’t want anyone to worry. Me, I’m like, what? Of course I want people to worry about me! :)
Brenda – sorry to gross you out. What I forget is that the only reason I wasn’t grossed out was the shock and the drugs. I’m guessing you didn’t have that advantage at breakfast.
Honormom – dizziness sounds bad to me. I hate being dizzy, and it would be scary while pregnant!
You guys are so funny. I think you know the end of the story… (just teasing;)
Re: Mark, I guess that's why God put women in charge of having the babies and men in charge of calling friends & family? ;)