# @upmchealthbeat on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CxtoOw1thWN
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/9265045-upmchealthbeat-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/legacy-do/ce5cbd6a3691a14e7bdf2f538860944e656b22ce9a6f5633fa954cad2b02edbb.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-09-27T23:01:10.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** UPMC (@upmchealthbeat) — https://gondola.cc/upmchealthbeat

## Caption

#StoriesFromMagee

“If it wasn’t for UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, I don’t think we would have had any chance.”

Megan Hopkins of Steubenville, Ohio, was 30 weeks pregnant when she arrived at UPMC Magee in Pittsburgh by ambulance. She had developed hypertension. Her normal pregnancy had suddenly become high risk.

Hypertension during pregnancy increases the risk of complications for the mother, including preeclampsia (a form of high blood pressure combined with protein in the urine), stroke, or heart attack. It also can restrict the baby’s growth and lead to preterm delivery and stillbirth. The only cure for preeclampsia is to deliver the baby.
 
Megan was admitted to Magee’s ICU and put under the care of Francesca Facco, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist, and MFM physician assistants Mary Lee and Carrie Weaver. They were able to stabilize Megan’s blood pressure and she was able to return home.

Just two weeks later — at 32 weeks pregnant — Megan developed severe preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that could be life-threatening. This time, she was admitted to Magee and was advised that she would have to stay until her due date, which was 8 weeks away.

After several days, Megan’s blood pressure remained dangerously high and there was evidence that the preeclampsia was affecting her kidneys.  Her doctors had to deliver the baby immediately.

Gemma was delivered by cesarean section at 32 weeks and 5 days. Weighing just 2 pounds and 11 ounces, she had to be resuscitated before her immediate transfer to the NICU.

After Gemma was born, the team focused on Megan’s postpartum care, which included a magnesium drip to prevent seizures, a possible complication of preeclampsia. She was unable to see Gemma for 72 hours after her birth.

After a month-long stay in the NICU, Gemma was finally able to go home. Both mom and baby are doing well. In fact, Gemma will be celebrating her second birthday this summer.

“Magee’s NICU holds such a special place in my heart,” says Megan, who also was also born premature at Magee and was cared for in their NICU.

“We’re just so happy that we’re both here and we’re both healthy.”

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 23
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 0

## Tags

storiesfrommagee

---
Copyright (c) Gondola