Life or Death Situation....
In 1993, in my third trimester of pregnancy, I was diagnosed with Toxemia. When women reach their third trimester of pregnancy they start to realize how close they really are to the actual delivery date. In fact, even your doctor appointments are scheduled more frequently and I had just entered that stage.
On July 27, 1993, I headed off to my doctor appointment. When I arrived, my regular doctor was delivering another baby so I was scheduled to see another doctor. When he entered the room, he looked at me as if he were in shock.
He stated, “the chart reads your in the third trimester is that correct?” I replied, “Yes.” Then he progressed on to say, “I’m concerned about your weight. I’m looking at your chart and it seems as though since the beginning of your pregnancy you have been gaining an enormous amount of weight more than what we see in a normal pregnancy.”
At first, what he said didn’t alarm me until he continued by saying, “We must induce you today, because you have a disease called toxemia.” I looked at him perplexed….I said, “Deliver my baby today! Are you serious? I didn’t come to the hospital today expecting to deliver my baby and furthermore, what is a Toxemia?”
According to the American Heath Association Toxemia is defined as “Preeclampsia (Toxemia) is a condition that occurs only during pregnancy. A diagnosis is made by the combination of high blood pressure and protein in the urine, occurring after week 20 of pregnancy. Preeclampsia may also be called toxemia and is often precluded by gestational hypertension. Preeclampsia affects about 2-6% of healthy, first time moms.”
Before I knew it I was rushed to the labor room, hooked up to various machines, and signing so many documents that I lost count. I was given one phone call and then my phone privileges were taken away. I didn’t understand the seriousness of what was happening to me. At first, I remembered feeling bewildered and extremely upset that the doctor I had been seeing for almost seven months, had allowed the disease to go undetected. I was used to the old adage that doctors knew everything; however, in this particular situation, that was not true. I realized that I needed to find out why my doctor did not detect that I had this disease called toxemia. As I thought about why the disease was not detected earlier by my doctor, I realized that I should have advocated for my own health. I noticed the amount of weight I was gaining, but I ignored it. I noticed how friends when they saw me couldn’t tell it was me, and I ignored it, because I thought this is what is suppose to happen to a person who is pregnant, you gain weight….right! of course, but not 15lbs every week of your pregnancy.
Although most pregnancies are uncomplicated and end with the birth of a normal, healthy baby, I quickly learned that early diagnosis, treatment and education of any complications will often prevent serious problems. Regular check-ups can help you learn to recognize the difference between the normal changes and those that can indicate a problem. Toxemia Defined
Rushed to Emergency
Uncomplicated
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