It’s now November and I am looking forward for a new beginning. But instead of celebrating Halloween, All Saint’s day and All Soul’s day…I ended up in 3 day hospital stay.
I was finally discharged from the hospital after 3 days and was diagnosed with Essential Hypertension. I went to see my community midwife last Monday (1st of November) for a routine appointment and felt perfectly fine, until my blood pressure was checked. I felt a bit tired after finishing my 3 night shifts without proper sleep during the day and unfortunately feeling so upset and stressed at work for some petty reason.
I tried to close my eyes for few hours to get myself ready for the day. But all I can see is a picture of disappointment and embarrassment I had at work. I hate self-pitying…but I just can’t help but feel sorry for myself. Anyway, Life must go on.
I can’t believe that my blood pressure was 170/110. I thought it can’t be right but after having it checked for more than 3 times, I was convinced that my blood pressure is sky high. I thought it’s probably stress-related but I can be wrong. The good thing is, I don’t feel anything unusual like headaches and blurring of vision (coz they said that it’s a bad sign). By the time I was referred to Sandwell Hospital labour ward, I was just praying that this isn’t Pre-Eclamspia (a medical condition in which hypertension arises in pregnancy; pregnancy-induced hypertension). This is my worst fear as I can’t afford to deliver baby Luke at this early stage, I am only 29 weeks and 5 days and in case I have to give birth now, the risk is very high and it will cause lots of complications. I stayed in the labour ward for hours thinking that they will only stabilize my blood pressure and send me home afterwards for a good rest. But it was already 8pm and none of the blood pressure machine wants to give me a low blood pressure reading. I was given tablets to control my BP but it doesn’t seem to work. The good thing is, baby Luke doesn’t seem to be bothered. He was put on a monitor and he is not showing any sign of distress. “Good boy Luke…settle there in my tummy and make yourself comfortable. Mommy will be alright”, I told Luke.
I have no choice but to stay in the hospital and send Marlon and Lianne home. I was left to stay in a massive room in Labour ward with a birthing pool. Room is a cosy but spooky (laugh out loud). I was in the middle of my sleep when the water starts pouring into the pool. It made me jump. A lady came inside the room and told me that it was on timer. What a relief…
Well then, BP is monitored half hourly until stable. But it seems never ending. I didn’t manage to sleep at all. Maybe a good 2 hours I should say.
2nd November 2010
I was seen by the Obstetrics team on call during the ward rounds. The Consultant on call informed me that they are considering diagnosis of Pre-eclampsia because of my relatively high blood pressure. And as a preparation for emergency delivery in case I need it, I will be given 2 doses of steroid injection to help improve the baby’s lungs. As we were discussing it, I noticed that the consultant is not aware of Luke’s condition so I start telling him the whole story (that the baby is diagnosed with a congenital condition, etc, etc). He said he will liase with my Fetal Med Consultant and there’s a possibility of being transferred to Birmingham Women’s Hospital on the same day as I was expected to deliver there. So all day, other than worrying of my condition, I was also worrying of Luke as what will happen to both of us at the end of the day.
I was relieved after learning that all my blood results and urine dipstick came back normal and they’ll keep me in the same unit. I was kind of bored all day as I was not used of lying down and keeping still in one room. But God really has an answer to everything. The midwife who was assigned to look after me that day is a real expert. She’s not only good in handling patient cases but she’s also excellent in dealing with people. It seems like I have found a new friend in her. Even if we only knew each other for few minutes, I felt so comfortable talking to her and sharing her my life story, and vise versa. It’s never a dull moment with Sister Pushpa when we started sharing verses from the bible and the purpose of life.
3rd November 2010
I was finally sent home on my third day with anti-hypertensive medications. I was still doubtful that day whether I’ll be discharged from the hospital knowing that my blood pressure still ranges from 140/85 – 160/100…but with all the sleepless nights, I thought I had enough.
I was so happy to be home and I missed my bed so much. Marlon pampers me with a nice supper and made sure that everything is in place. "There is no place like home…and I am sure baby Luke agrees with me. "
