19/07/2025
So this 32 weeks pregnant woman walked into the clinic with swollen feet, swollen face, and a slight headache.
She smiled and said,
“NursePresh, see my nose o! I dey swell anyhow like bread wey soak water!”
She even laughed about it.
But I didn’t laugh.
I held her hands and said gently:
“Mama, how long have you been feeling like this?”
She said:
“Since last week. My mother-in-law say na normal. She say e happen for all her pregnancies too.”
But I had seen this story too many times.
I rushed to check her blood pressure…
💣 It was 180/110.
💣 Her urine showed protein.
💣 She was already in the dang£r zone of preeclampsia—one step away from convulsion. 😢
We didn’t waste time.
She was admitted IMMEDIATELY.
Given BP meds.
Steroid injection to mature baby’s lungs.
And monitored closely for 3 days.
Then… the moment came.
Doctors said,
“We must take this baby out. Her life—and the baby’s—are at r!sk.”
She cried. I prayed with her.
The surgery was done.
And when that baby boy cried in the theatre—strong, loud, full of life—we ALL cried with him. 😭🎉
She survived.
The baby survived.
But it could’ve ended differently…
If she had stayed home.
If she kept calling it “normal swelling.”
If she had ignored the signs just a little longer…
Dear pregnant woman,
🚨 Swollen face, hands, legs + headache + blurry vision = Not normal
🚨 It could be PREECLAMPSIA
🚨 It can lead to eclampsia, seizures, coma or d£ath
If you notice any of these signs:
✅ Rush to the hospital
✅ Check your blood pressure
✅ Speak up—not every swelling is innocent
✅ Don’t let tradition or fear silence you
I told her:
“Your courage to come in saved two lives. That is what strong women do.”
Preshcute UtoNwa
This is a picture of my feet 2 days after delivery. My feet were so swollen and had all the signs for about two weeks before going to the hospital.