During my first pregnancy with my first child in 1997, I went into early labour at 25 weeks. I also developed a mild case of high blood pressure. I was put on strict bed rest for the duration of my pregnancy and I had a healthy baby boy at 38 weeks.

With my second pregnancy in the year 2000, things were vastly different and the signs and symptoms were much worse. I was not well from the start of my pregnancy. I was very ill, very swollen right from the get go. I knew that something was not right to begin with. As it turns out this pregnancy was much different due to the fact that I was carrying triplets, the story is very long and complicated but I lost two of the babies and was lucky enough to have 1 survive, then at approximately 26 weeks I started to feel increasing worse, lots of headaches and was beginning to notice the swelling increase, my blood pressure was a little high but not at a dangerous level. At about 27 weeks I noticed that when I was shaving my legs and I cut myself it took a very long time to stop the bleeding. On the visit that week to my high risk O.B. he again checked my blood levels and blood pressure and my pressure was still elevated but not any cause for alarm.

Then one night during my 28th week I awoke to this horrible pain in my abdomen, underneath my rib cage. The pain was excruciating, and I truly thought that I was either having a heart attack or a gallbladder attack. My husband rushed me to our local hospital and I was sent up to the labour and delivery floor because I was over 25 weeks' pregnant. My husband and parents explained to our local hospital that I was part of a high risk pregnancy unit in a hospital in Toronto. This is when all the trouble began. I was picked, prodded and tested for over 24 hours. It was determined in the first hour of arriving that I was not having heart trouble but they were unsure of what was wrong with me.

My blood pressure was dangerously high, and my platelet count was dropping rapidly, and my liver was swelling. Needless to say my health was deteriorating quickly and nobody had any answers. At this point they told my family that I was critical !!! My mother and husband insisted they contact my "OB" at the high risk unit. At my family's insistence they did, and gave the high risk unit all my test results. Consequently I was rushed there within an hours time and my family was told they weren't sure if my baby or I would survive.

I was given the first of two shots of steroids for my baby's lungs, and monitored very carefully. Twenty four hours later I was given another steroid shot, and had been having blood drawn every hour. They were trying to give my baby more time...more time...better chances for survival.

The steroid shot had held my platelet count at bay. It didn't seem to be dropping as rapidly. We all thought this was a good sign, but the doctors warned my family that this can sometimes happen and once the steroid shot wears off all will continue to decline. During this whole time my legs were so very swollen , as were my face and hands. I was also disoriented and very defensive. I definitely was experiencing a personality change so I am now told!

Well, once the steroid wore off my condition did deteriorate rapidly, my platelet count was down to 20 and I had lost most of the amniotic fluid, my blood pressure was 195/110 ( my normal pressure is approx.107/60)and the baby's heart rate soared to over 200. I remember the fear as I was rushed in for the emergency c- section...the teams of doctors and nurses all there to help, but the fear was great. The worry that I may never see my baby or my family again and the chances for the baby's survival...so many what ifs and no promises or guarantees...THE MIRACLE IS.....my daughter was born weighing in at a mere 2 pounds 1/2 ounce and was so feisty and strong that as soon as they pulled her out she breathed and cried all on her own, so I am told. I on the other hand started to hemorrhage, and it took them a few hours to control it, but I also have survived this terrible "syndrome." It was a very long and hard struggle for us both to get to this point. She is now 20 months-old and as healthy and bright as any toddler. And I am thankful that I too have my health back and am able to share my story and help others in the same situation.......I do believe in miracles... Now! MICHELLE

---