A Challenging but Smooth Delivery

From Chaos to Calm

Trigger Warning: This post discusses preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, an emergency C-section, and time spent in the NICU. Please take care of yourself and revisit if or when you’re ready.

Monday, March 4, started out like any other day. I went to my 36-week checkup expecting a quick visit and to head home, but things didn’t go as planned. My blood pressure was extremely high, and my doctor sent me to labor and delivery for monitoring. My husband came with me, as he always did, and we walked into the hospital wondering what was next.

Hours passed as they checked my blood pressure every 15 minutes, but it didn’t improve. That evening, the doctor let us know I’d be staying overnight for observation. My husband stayed with me, and while it wasn’t the evening we had planned, we both tried to stay positive and focus on the care I was getting.

The next morning, things seemed stable enough that I was allowed to eat. I had breakfast, lunch, and—why not—a second lunch of eight nuggets and a large fry. I thought this was a sign that I might be heading home soon. But the doctor had other news: they were scheduling a C-section for the next morning. It wasn’t what I was expecting, but I tried to wrap my head around the new plan.

Meanwhile, my husband had to go to work. He reassured me that he’d be back as soon as possible, and he promised to bring anything I needed from home. I spent the day waiting, but as the hours passed, I started to feel worse. My head felt foggy, and my blood pressure rose again. That’s when the doctor explained that my preeclampsia had progressed into HELLP syndrome, and we couldn’t wait until the next morning.

At 5 p.m., right when he got off work, my husband arrived back at the hospital with everything packed and ready. Seeing him walk through the door gave me so much relief, and it helped knowing he was there as we prepared for surgery.

The nurses worked quickly but calmly to get me ready for the operating room. When it came time for the spinal block, I was asked to sit on the edge of the bed and lean forward. With my belly as big as it was, that wasn’t easy. I remember looking down and my bump was sticking out farther than my knees, but the nurses were patient and supportive.

The C-section itself went by faster than I expected. I was pinned to the table, unable to move, but my husband sat beside me the entire time, holding my hands and resting his head on mine. He kept me calm, reminding me that we were about to meet our babies.

And just like that, they were here. Two beautiful, tiny, perfect babies. The relief and joy in that moment made everything we had gone through worth it.

I stayed in the hospital for seven days afterward, which turned out to be a blessing. It gave me time to recover and adjust while the babies were cared for in the NICU, which was right across the hall from my room. Having them close made the experience much less overwhelming, and the NICU nurses were incredible. They taught us so much—how to feed the babies, change their diapers, and recognize their needs. They even got the twins on a schedule that made life at home so much easier.

We left the hospital on day nine, which happened to be my husband’s birthday. By then, I felt ready to take on life as a mom of two. My incision was healing well, and while I was incredibly swollen for a couple of weeks, I was otherwise recovering smoothly.

Looking back, I’m so grateful for the care I received. The nurses and doctors made a scary situation feel manageable, and their kindness made all the difference. I’m also endlessly thankful for my husband, who balanced work, home, and the hospital while always showing up for me and the babies.

What started as an overwhelming experience turned into a story of resilience, love, and gratitude. Now, I look at my healthy babies and can’t help but feel that every challenge was worth it.