Read the Story of The Mama Connect Founder, Starlita Kilpatrick

I am a Postpartum Preeclampsia Survivor! Almost 4 years ago, I was suddenly admitted to the hospital while being 1-week postpartum with my 3rd baby. My blood pressure had gone beyond 200/100 and the doctors and nurses were working hard to stabilize me to prevent a seizure, stroke, or worse, death. All I wanted was to be home with my 2 littles and hold and breastfeed my newborn. Instead, I had machines and tubing hooked up to all four of my limbs, while I was shaking uncontrollably from the Magnesium drip. The head physician attending to me kept a constant watch on me and maintained a conversation to assess my mental consciousness. After eventually being stabilized and staying at the hospital for 2 days for observation, I was discharged home. However, several hours later, I returned back to the ER with elevated blood pressure and ended up staying another 3 days. This time I experienced a random drop in my BP. It happened so quickly that the nurse had to manually push fluids through my IV to stabilize me. There’s so much more to the story! But just know that this happens to so many moms, especially moms of color. Unfortunately, we are dying at disproportionately high rates and there is NO cure for preeclampsia (at least not yet!). 

I’m walking as both a survivor and in memory of all of the Black and Brown Mamas and babies who did not survive. Please join Team Mama Connect and virtually walk with me wherever you are or simply make a donation as small as $5. Your donation helps me reach my goal of $5000 for research in finding a cure, community education, and survivor/family support.