ER nurse gets emergency care for preeclampsia at Ascension Sacred Heart

Kacey is a registered nurse working in the emergency room at Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola, FL. At 30 weeks pregnant, she began experiencing mild pain and swelling in the right upper quadrant (RUQ) of her abdomen under the ribs, but the pain went away later that day. During her shift the next night, Kacey’s pain returned but it felt more severe. She doubled over in discomfort, describing the pain in her RUQ as radiating to her back, almost as if someone were stabbing her with a knife.

Despite the intensity of her discomfort, Kacey chose to ignore it. Doubting her pain tolerance and her resilience as a nurse, she convinced herself that the pain was simply the result of her gallbladder. After her shift, Kacey went home to rest and felt better. While getting ready for work that evening, she felt lightheaded and noticed some visual issues that immediately alarmed her. As she attempted to send a text to her husband, she noticed that she couldn’t see her thumbs or the keyboard on her phone. Within minutes, she realized that her blood pressure might be the cause of this issue, so she promptly went to the Sacred Heart emergency room. 

Kacey’s coworkers in the ER were aware that she was experiencing symptoms. Once she arrived, they took her into the trauma room and checked her vital signs. After 30 minutes of observation and three alarmingly high blood pressure readings she was transported to the Ascension Sacred Heart Maternity and Women’s Health dedicated OB emergency room, a facility that has specially trained doctors, nurses, and care team members providing 24/7 emergency care for pregnancy-related issues. 

Kacey was immediately admitted to the Perinatal Specialty Unit (PSU) at Sacred Heart Regional Perinatal Center. This specialized unit provides dedicated care for high-risk pregnancies and newborns and is one of only 11 such centers in Florida. The inpatient high-risk pregnancy unit is equipped with the latest technology for women who need an extended hospital stay and continuous monitoring before delivery. Despite her lab tests returning normal results, Kacey received a heartbreaking diagnosis of severe preeclampsia. The doctors explained that, for the safety of both her and her baby, she would need to remain in the hospital until she reached 34 weeks of pregnancy. At that point, they would proceed carefully with the delivery of her child. Although it was a challenging moment for Kacey, she was in the right place to receive the care she needed.

Kacey was grateful to have a care team who was there for her every step of the way. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to my PSU nurses,” she said. “Their grace and unwavering support during these challenging times have been extraordinary. I feel truly blessed to have experienced their care.”

After just four days in the hospital, Kacey encountered a setback. She began to vomit, and the intense pain returned, radiating from her RUQ to her back. The doctors explained that this was a symptom that her liver was in distress.  

Kacey was diagnosed with HELLP syndrome, a serious pregnancy complication often associated with preeclampsia. This condition typically arises in the later stages of pregnancy and requires immediate medical attention. HELLP syndrome can lead to bleeding, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet levels, posing further risks to the fetus.

Kacey was rushed into emergency surgery for a C-section under general anesthesia due to severe blood loss.

Despite challenges at the end of her pregnancy, she safely delivered her "perfect baby girl," Hallie, at 30 weeks, weighing only 2 pounds and 8 ounces.

Although Hallie was in good health, she was premature and required specialized care in the NICU at Studer Family Children's Hospital, the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit dedicated to caring for critically ill and premature newborns. There, she would receive the focused attention needed to grow stronger.

After surgery, Kacey's body needed time to heal and recover and she rested while her husband stayed with their baby in the NICU. It wasn't until late the following evening that Kacey opened her eyes and met her baby for the first time.

"The remarkable team in the NICU provided my precious baby girl with such tender care, even before I fully understood what had happened or whether she would be alright," she said. "Their compassion during this vulnerable time meant the world to me."

Hallie began her life strong and received great care. Kacey believes her resilience, supported by Jesus' strength, will help her overcome future challenges.

The OB Emergency Care Center at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola is fully equipped with board-certified obstetricians available 24/7 to handle all pregnancy emergencies. Our collaborative approach, along with our on-site Level III NICU, ensures that you and your baby receive comprehensive care together. 

Learn more about personalized care for high-risk pregnancy, labor, and delivery by visiting Ascension.org