2025 Promise Walks

Why I Walk

At 38 weeks pregnant I was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia. Due to elevated blood pressure and worsening lab values I was sent to the hospital to immediately deliver my baby via C-section. Initially I spent six days in the hospital on anti-stroke and seizure medication and realize now the severity of this diagnosis and how lucky I was to deliver a beautiful and healthy baby girl at full term. Unfortunately after delivery my preeclampsia did not resolve itself.

After one night at home I returned to the emergency room with a debilitating headache, a blood pressure reading off 210/100, and the beginning stages of liver damage. I was readmitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of postpartum preeclampsia and "Borderline HELLP syndrome". Although I have worked in the hospital setting for years I had never heard these words before and had no understanding of what was happening to me. As a pregnant woman there was very little education and awareness provided for such a serious health concern that could affect both mother and baby. Had I been educated better could I have known the signs and symptoms to look for? Could this have been treated earlier before things became so severe? These are questions that still linger in my head years later.

I spent four more days alone in the hospital away from my newborn and my husband. It was one of the scariest moments of my life. After finally returning home to my daughter it took three months for my blood pressure and overall health to stabilize. It was a difficult time for me physically and mentally that no new mother or family should have to experience. I ask that you walk with me and my family to support research in early diagnositics, improvement in education for pregnant women, and effective treatment to prevent the loss of life for both mothers and their babies. I thank you all for your love and support!

Kaitlin Brauer

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$250 Fundraiser

$328.75

achieved

$500.00

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of your goal reached

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