In this listener story, Jess shares her experience with preeclampsia that went from seemingly mild and manageable to severe in a matter of days. As a first-time mom with an otherwise uncomplicated pregnancy, she found herself blindsided by a diagnosis she knew very little about and quickly facing decisions she never imagined having to make.
Jess opens up about the fear, confusion, and lack of education she encountered throughout her pregnancy, the emotional toll of a prolonged hospital stay, and the premature birth of her daughter at just 31 weeks. She also shares the guilt, grief, and healing that followed, along with the resources and support that helped her process her birth trauma and NICU journey.
Jess's story is a powerful reminder that preeclampsia can happen to anyone and that education matters. Her experience highlights the importance of listening to your body, advocating for answers, and ensuring patients receive clear information about potential pregnancy complications. Most importantly, her story reminds parents that preeclampsia is not their fault, their bodies did not fail them, and healing is possible even after a traumatic pregnancy, birth, and NICU experience.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
👣 The first symptoms that something might be wrong, including sudden swelling and elevated blood pressure
🧪 Protein in the urine, 24-hour urine collections, and the early signs of preeclampsia
😔 Feeling blindsided by a diagnosis she knew very little about
📈 How quickly preeclampsia can progress from mild to severe
🚑 Being unexpectedly transferred by ambulance to a higher-level hospital at just 30 weeks pregnant
⏳ Living in the uncertainty of daily "watch and wait" decisions
👶 Learning what premature birth and NICU life might actually look like
❤️ The impact of compassionate providers who took the time to explain what was happening
😢 Watching other families leave the hospital with their babies while waiting for her own outcome
🌟 Making the difficult decision to move forward with induction at 31 weeks
👩🍼 Delivering her daughter vaginally after a rapid induction
🤍 Feeling emotionally numb after birth and why that response is so common after trauma
🏥 Beginning a lengthy NICU journey while simultaneously recovering from a complicated pregnancy
💔 The guilt many parents feel when their babies arrive prematurely
🧠 Healing through therapy, education, and connecting with other birth trauma survivors
👥 Finding support through community and realizing she was not alone in her experience
✨ How a post-trauma consultation with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist became one of the most healing parts of her journey
Resources Mentioned
🔹 The Preeclampsia Foundation
🔹 Dear NICU Mama
🔹 March of Dimes
🔹 Birth Trauma Mama Support Groups
🔹 Therapy & Mental Health Support
🔹 Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) Preconception Counseling
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
