I was diagnosed with Preeclampsia at 28 weeks after an already difficult 1st pregnancy. I was placed on bedrest at 30 weeks due to high pressures, and found out that my baby was growth restricted at 34 weeks along. He was measuring in the 7% for his gestation. On Christmas Eve, I developed a blinding headache and BP readings above 180 systolic. I was induced at 34 weeks and 5 days, and didn’t dilate past 1 cm in 36 hours of contracting and being on a magnesium drip. I elected to have a C/S after a miserable 2 days, not only did my headache never go away, but my body was weak from the mag, making me unable to even pull myself up in the labor bed. My baby boy was born the day after Christmas, weighing only 4 lbs 1 oz. He was so tiny for a 35 week baby, and struggled to breathe at birth, meaning he was immediately taken up to the NICU. I was weak and sick during my c-section, so the short glimpse I got of him before he was taken away is just a blurry memory. I was taken back to my labor bed to have another 24 hours of Magnesium drip. The first time I saw my baby’s face after his birth was via pictures and a tearful FaceTime call with my husband in the NICU. After finally being moved to a Postpartum room, I was hospitalized for another 5 days with severe range blood pressures uncontrolled by meds. My tiny warrior was in the NICU a total of 22 days. Preeclampsia was something I never in my wildest dreams thought I would have to go through. It took what was supposed to be a beautiful experience and turned it intro a trauma for me and my family. I am thankful for an early diagnosis and for the care I received, but as a healthcare professional in OB-Gyn, I know how easy it is for it to be caught too late.