Join me in the 5K on 5/20/23 at 9 AM! Walk or run. 
Venue: High Point Athletic Complex, 2920 School Park Rd. 27265

As a postpartum preeclampsia survivor, I'm excited to participate in raising funds to support preeclampsia research, prevention, and treatment. 

On February 6, 2020, I gave birth to my daughter, Baker. The labor and delivery were full of surprises and complications, but we finally made it through and we all left the hospital together as a family a few days later.

In the following days, I noticed a constant feeling of chest pressure, heart palpitations, and difficulty breathing when laying down. The morning of 2/10, I woke up and told my husband that I was going to call my OBGYN and tell them my symptoms. Even though they didn't feel that serious, I had a nagging feeling that something was wrong.

After telling the OB my symptoms, she said I needed to either call an ambulance or have someone drive me to the ER immediately. Upon arrival at the ER, we found that my blood pressure was dangerously high, and I was diagnosed with severe postpartum preeclampsia. 

Everything from there happened simultaneously at lightining speed and in slow motion. They immeidately admitted me to the hospital and we were in complete shock-- we thought the worst was over, yet it seemed to just be beginning. I was admitted to the hospital for several days-- those were some of the scariest, darkest days of my life. There were many moments that I wasn't sure I was going to even make it home to my newborn, who was being cared for by our family members. 

I am so thankful to the medical professionals who treated me, and the family and friends who helped us during that incredibly hard time. Since then, I have become passionate about educating women about preeclampsia and postpartum preeclampsia symptoms, but even more importantly, to listen to your body and intuition. If something feels off, say something. During pregnancy and in the postpartum period, don't write off any symptoms you're experiencing as, "It's probably normal." Always err on the side of caution and get checked out by a doctor, no matter how minor the symptoms seem. 

It's my hope that in the coming years, we'll see research give clearer answers as to what causes preeclampsia, and there will be better prevention and treatment options. 

Some important stats:

• Common preeclampsia symptoms include high blood pressure, swelling in hands or face, headache, sudden weight gain, seeing spots or vision changes, stomach pain, nausea or vomiting. You can have preeclampsia and have no idea, so doing blood pressure checks often during and after pregnancy are crucial.

• Postpartum preeclampsia is a very rare condition. It’s when you have preeclampsia after you’ve given birth. It most often happens within 48 hours (2 days) of having a baby, but it can develop up to 6 weeks after a baby’s birth. It needs immediate treatment. If not treated, it can cause life-threatening problems, including death.

• 75% of maternal deaths related to preeclampsia happen in the postpartum period, up to six weeks after delivery, so healthcare providers and moms alike need to remain vigilant, even after delivery.

• Most pregnant women with preeclampsia have healthy babies. But if not treated, it can cause serious problems, like preterm birth and even death.

• Years after a pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia, women are at increased risk of chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, kidney disease, thromboembolism, hypothyroidism, and even impaired memory.

• Research suggests the risk of having preeclampsia again is approximately 20%, however experts cite a range from 5% to 80% depending on when you had it in a prior pregnancy, how severe it was, and additional risk factors you may have.

• Preeclampsia puts women at increased risk for heart disease as well as stroke and high blood pressure later in life. Large population studies have demonstrated that two of three preeclampsia survivors will die of heart disease.