--- title: "Sophie's story: pre-eclampsia" date: 2025-08-04T11:32:00+01:00 author: Lisa Curry canonical_url: "https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/sophies-story-preeclampsia" section: Articles --- Share [](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=1769260916495219&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Fsophies-story-preeclampsia) [](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=Sophie%27s%20story%3A%20pre-eclampsia&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Fsophies-story-preeclampsia) [](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/send?app_id=1769260916495219&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Fsophies-story-preeclampsia&link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Fsophies-story-preeclampsia&display=popup) [](mailto:?subject=Shared%20from%20Evangelical%20Alliance&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Fsophies-story-preeclampsia) #### Pre-eclampsia affects up to 6% of pregnancies in the UK. The exact cause of pre-eclampsia is not known, and there is no cure. It is a major factor in premature births because delivering the baby is the only ‘cure.’\* How and when did you find out that you had [pre-eclampsia](https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-complications/pre-eclampsia-information-and-support)?** I had a routine check-up with the doctor, and they noticed that I had high blood pressure and was carrying fluid. I was around five months pregnant, and they said, ​“We will keep a close eye on it.” A few weeks later, I went in for my 32-week check, and my blood pressure was quite high. The doctor recommended complete bed rest, so I was admitted to the hospital at 32 weeks. I did not realise how serious it was because I felt completely fine. So, I had to rest completely in the hospital for three weeks. My urine was tested regularly for protein (high protein levels in urine are another symptom). I had to write down all the fluid that I drank and all the fluid that I passed on a chart to see how much fluid I was gathering. Whenever they tested the protein levels at 35 weeks, they showed up as very high and very high in protein, so I was immediately taken into surgery for an emergency C-section. Sponsored[](#) [ ![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](https://www.oakhill.ac.uk/admissions/open-days) **How did you feel mentally and emotionally?** I was scared because I did not know what would happen; it was a learning curve. It was very emotional because I was in the ward, where other mothers had their babies, and I only had a photograph after my daughter was born. I did not meet or hold her until the next day, which was incredibly difficult. **What does the phrase ​‘both lives matter’ mean to you?** The phrase ​‘both lives matter’ became real when I was pregnant with my daughter. The medical staff were incredible, and they did everything they could to ensure that both of us were safe and cared for – both pre- and post-birth. From the start, I always viewed her as a human being. A mum and baby may have different needs, but all of those needs are valid and should be given the same care and attention. > A mum and baby may have different needs, but all of those needs are valid and should be given the same care and attention.” **What advice would you give to a mum in a similar situation?** Listen to the healthcare professionals. If they tell you to rest, rest. There is a reason why they are saying it. Childbirth may happen every day worldwide, but that does not mean that your story, pain or recovery is insignificant. Everyone heals at different rates – do not push yourself, especially during the first few weeks. **Everyone initially feels overwhelmed, and asking for help is not a sign of weakness – do not be afraid to ask for help.** --- [ ![Both Lives](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Untitled design 83](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/Untitled-design-83.png) ](https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/initiatives/both-lives) [#### Both Lives ](https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/initiatives/both-lives) A pro-women and pro-life movement – imagining a people and place that values the life and health of women and unborn children, and pursues the wellbeing of both [ Find out more ](https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/initiatives/both-lives) [](https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/initiatives/both-lives) [ ![What the decriminalisation of abortion really means in practice](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![C45f4f1f 80d2 4277 9a41 a03f3c1a0d6a](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/c45f4f1f-80d2-4277-9a41-a03f3c1a0d6a.png) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/what-the-decriminalisation-of-abortion-really-means-in-practice) [#### What the decriminalisation of abortion really means in practice ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/what-the-decriminalisation-of-abortion-really-means-in-practice) Evangelicals must speak up and speak out for both lives; women and the unborn [ ![Mark Gilmore](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/mark-gilmore) [ Mark Gilmore ](/author/mark-gilmore) 12 June 2025 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/what-the-decriminalisation-of-abortion-really-means-in-practice) --- ### About Lisa Barr ![]()Lisa has a dual role at the Evangelical Alliance as the Northern Ireland administrator and Both Lives research and communications assistant. She has a degree in Law and holds a Masters in Children's Rights. It was there that she discovered a love for justice and advocacy and began to explore what it means to pursue this wholeheartedly. Lisa is married to Jordan and lives in Newtownabbey. [See more from Lisa Barr](/author/lisa-curry)