Back in the Hospital for the 3rd Time: My Postpartum Preeclampsia Story (Part 2)

When I left the hospital, I thought the worst was behind me.

I was wrong.

This part of my story is about what happened when my symptoms returned, how I finally received a diagnosis, and why I now speak openly about something I had never even heard of before.

By the next morning, my blood pressure had skyrocketed again.

196/113.

And just like that, I was back in the ER.

Back in the ER—Less Than 24 Hours Later

Within an hour, I was stabilized—but that meant more magnesium sulfate, more shaking, and more uncertainty.

When My Body Swung in the Opposite Direction

At one point, my blood pressure dropped dangerously low.

My ears rang. “I feel like I’m fading,” I tiredly said to my husband with as much breath as I could. I felt like I might pass out.

A nurse rushed in and manually forced IV fluids into my body to stabilize me. Squeezing and squeezing and squeezing the bag until my blood pressure began to rise.

It was terrifying.

Searching for Answers No One Was Giving

After being stabilized, my medication was adjusted.

But emotionally, I felt like I couldn’t catch a break.

How did this happen?

Why was my body doing this?

I had always been healthy. I had a medical background. I had worked with perinatal patients before.

And still, I had no answers.

Finding Small Moments of Normal in a Hard Place

During this second hospital stay, I held onto anything that felt normal:
pumping milk, bonding with my baby, and visits from loved ones.

My husband even brought a steak dinner from a local restaurant and a candle so we could celebrate our wedding anniversary in the hospital room.

Those moments mattered more than I can explain.

The Diagnosis No One Explained

After five total days in the hospital, I was discharged again.

But something didn’t sit right.

No one had clearly told me what was wrong.

So I read my discharge papers.

Preeclampsia.

I was confused.

I wasn’t pregnant.

How could I have preeclampsia?

That’s when I learned about postpartum preeclampsia—and everything started to make sense.

How I Went From Survivor to Advocate

Despite my background in healthcare, postpartum preeclampsia had never been explained to me.

And I quickly realized I wasn’t alone.

So many other mothers had experienced this without ever knowing what it was.

That realization changed everything.

In 2021, I hosted an online forum to talk about postpartum preeclampsia. Women showed up—some as survivors, others just trying to learn.

I later connected with the Preeclampsia Foundation and began advocacy work, including hosting a Promise Walk in the Philadelphia/South Jersey metro area.

I also became a birth and postpartum doula, lactation educator, and babywearing consultant.

But more than anything, I became a voice.

Why This Story Matters

As a Black and Filipino mother, I became deeply aware of the disparities in maternal health outcomes.

Too many of us don’t know the warning signs.

Too many of us aren’t told what to look for.

Too many of us don’t make it.

That’s why I share my story.

Because awareness can save lives.

And because no mother should have to go through this alone.

Your Story Matters, Too!

If you’ve experienced something similar—or even if you’re just learning about this for the first time—I want you to walk away with this:

Trust your body. Pay attention to the signs. And never hesitate to seek answers. You are your own advocate!

If you have a similar story to mine, let your voice be heard. It matters; YOU matter!

Sharing your story can save a life.