What is preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia (previously referred to as toxemia) is a pregnancy complication often pinpointed by high blood pressure. When a pregnant person has high blood pressure and signs that some of their organs (the kidneys and liver) may not be working normally, more than likely, they have preeclampsia. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is when the force of blood against the walls of the blood vessels is too high. It can stress the heart and cause problems during pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in a person whose blood pressure had been normal. It can lead to serious, even fatal, complications for both parent and baby.

Other terms associated with preeclampsia:

• Eclampsia is a severe form of preeclampsia that leads to seizures in the birthing person.
• HELLP Syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) is a condition usually occurring late in pregnancy that affects the breakdown of red blood cells, how the blood clots, and liver function for the pregnant person.
• Postpartum Preeclampsia occurs after birth (usually within the first couple of days postpartum, but up to 6 weeks pp). It is important to know that postpartum preeclampsia can occur even if preeclampsia did not occur during pregnancy. The symptoms are also slightly different: severe headache, stomach pain, nausea & vomiting, spots or blurred vision, swelling in hands or face, blood pressure over 140/90 and shortness of breath.

Symptoms:

• Mild preeclampsia: high blood pressure, water retention, and protein in the urine.
• Severe preeclampsia: persistent headache, confusion, blurred vision, sensitivity to bright light, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, urinating small amounts, pain in the upper right abdomen, shortness of breath, and tendency to bruise easily.

Facts:

• Preeclampsia is a serious health problem for pregnant people around the world. It affects 2 to 8 percent of pregnancies worldwide (2 to 8 in 100). In the United States, it’s the cause of 15 percent (about 3 in 20) of premature births.
• In the last two decades, the rate of preeclampsia in the U.S. has increased 25%.
• You can still have a vaginal birth with preeclampsia.
• Most pregnant people with preeclampsia have healthy babies. But if not treated, it can cause serious problems, like premature birth and even death.
• If you're at risk for preeclampsia, your provider may want you to take low-dose aspirin to help prevent it.
• If you have blurred vision, swelling in your hands and face or severe headaches or belly pain, call your provider immediately.
• You can have preeclampsia and be unaware if you have no symptoms. It is important to have good prenatal care and a provider you trust even if you’re feeling fine.
• Preeclampsia is diagnosed through blood pressure checks and urine samples (checking for protein). Once diagnosed, it is monitored with continued BP and urine checks. Doctors may also run blood tests. They will also keep an eye on your baby with ultrasounds, fetal monitoring and/or non-stress tests to ensure they are not in distress. Getting a biophysical profile will be helpful to know exactly what is happening and how to proceed in labor.
• Preeclampsia survivors have double the risk for heart disease and stroke.

Risk Factors:

• First-time parent
• Previous occurrence with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia
• Family history of preeclampsia
• Those who have had fertility treatments
• Those carrying multiple babies
• Those younger than 20 years and older than age 40
• Those who had high blood pressure or kidney disease prior to pregnancy
• Those who are considered obese or have a BMI of 30 or greater
• Black birthing people
• Those with low socioeconomic status

Treatment: Treatment depends on how close you are to your due date. If you are close to your due date, and the baby is developed enough, your health care provider will probably want to deliver your baby as soon as possible. If you have a mild case and your baby has not reached full development, your doctor will likely suggest the following: rest (lying on your left side to take the weight of the baby off your major blood vessels), increased prenatal visits, consuming less salt, drinking a minimum of at least 8 glasses of water a day and increasing the protein in your diet. During visits, your provider will check your urine and blood pressure and ask about baby's movement (kick count.)

If you have severe preeclampsia, your doctor may prescribe medication for you. Most likely, the birthing person will stay in the hospital so your provider can closely monitor you and your baby. Your provider may treat you with medicines called antenatal corticosteroids (also called ACS). These medicines help speed up your baby’s lung development. You also may get medicine to control your blood pressure and medicine to prevent seizures (called magnesium sulfate). If you are at least 34 weeks pregnant, your provider may recommend that you have your baby as soon as your condition is stable. Your provider may induce your labor and/or you may have a cesarean birth. If you’re not yet 34 weeks pregnant but you and your baby are stable, you may be able to wait to have your baby.

Prevention: Because the exact cause of preeclampsia is unknown, there is currently no cure. Even so, there are things you can do to control or limit the risk factors such as:

• Drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day
• Avoiding fried foods and junk food
• Use little or no added salt in your meals and adding fresh herbs
• Avoid beverages containing caffeine
• Prioritizing rest & sleep
• Exercising regularly
• Elevating your feet during the day
• Reduce your stress at all costs

I have had a few birth clients who have experienced preeclampsia as well as postpartum preeclampsia, so I am quite familiar with the care and support surrounding it. Early identification is key for the health & safety of both parent and baby. To learn more, please visit the Preeclampsia Foundation or the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

When I was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2019, I was so relieved. Not only had I found a doctor who actually listened to me, but she had an answer for my debilitating pain. After years of confusion, dozens of doctors and several misdiagnosis, I felt like I could breathe again.

But last year proved to test me even more physically and mentally as well.

I thought the height of my pain was a few years ago when I became the caregiver for my mother who was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. What I didn't yet know was that I had endometriosis and my chronic pain was just one symptom of many that I was experiencing. For over a year, I ignored my pain, put my business on hold & got a nanny job so that I could properly care for my mother all while still homeschooling my son and continuing my education through trainings and doula courses.

While I have been able to somewhat manage my physical pain since being diagnosed, I was not at all prepared for how endometriosis and stress would affect my mental health.

If 2020 taught us nothing, it taught us to focus on health and whole body wellness, especially mental health. Many things changed for me professionally and navigating a business during a pandemic was more than challenging. And due to the nature of my work, I had to make huge operational changes that completely modified the way I worked and connected with my clients. To say I was stressed was an understatement. Thank God for my husband who proved to be my saving grace and comfort more often that not after a long day of Zoom consultations and birth support. During this time, my main source of stress relief was halted overnight: exercise. I am a Zumba instructor as well as a doula and when Covid-19 began to rapidly spread across my city, county and state, everything was shut down including my classes. Truth be told, I was already planning the next phase of my fitness journey, but I did not anticipate how long my classes would be on hold. It has been over a year since I taught my last Zumba class and yes, I miss my students and the dance floor terribly. But it didn't matter. My body was holding on to so many emotions, it was presenting itself as physical pain and suffering which left me no energy or desire to exercise anyway.

May 2020 proved to be one of the hardest months to endure due to the murder of George Floyd. Between the news and social media, I was in a constant cycle of being triggered and when I am emotionally triggered, my body responds well before my brain has a chance to even process what is happening. This is likely due to my childhood and the sexual abuse I experienced as a young girl. Believe it or not, this was a HUGE revelation for me. Why you ask? Making the connection between my pain and what I was consuming (news, gossip, negativity, lies, videos of unarmed black and brown people being murdered, political propaganda and yes, even food) helped me to make the necessary changes to slow and break the continuous cycle of triggers and pain so that I can permanently release all the built up negativity and projections that I am physically and mentally holding on to.

I have known for some time that I have a stronger intuition about certain things than most people. Attunement is a word often used in the birth world when describing the way doulas connect with our clients. My son has actually helped me to tap into my own empathic power. What I have learned on my healing journey is that I am also an empath. However, I have recently discovered that this spiritual gift has been blocked in one way or another since I was a kid. So the more I teach my son to lean into his own power, the more I learn about my own and that has given me a peace I haven't had in long time. It assures me that I am indeed headed in the right direction with my healing.

This year I am continuing to focus on my mental health and releasing any blockages that may be holding me back from fully realizing my purpose. I have started writing and journaling again. I have been meditating and practicing Reiki therapy. I am moving my body intentionally through yoga and nature walks. I am also exploring acupuncture and sound therapy. I am open to any and all things that will facilitate healing and mental wellness. The most important thing is that I am happy and whole so that I can properly care for myself, my family and my clients. You can read my complete endo story and learn more about endometriosis here.

As an Endo Black Ambassador, I am responsible for raising awareness about endometriosis and sharing my personal experiences while living with this disease. I have found so much comfort in the Endo Black community because we all have similar stories & experiences that we each can relate to on a deep level. Below are testimonies from some of my fellow "endo warriors" about how endometriosis has effected their mental health. If you did not know, endometriosis is a FULL BODY DISEASE and that includes the physical, mental and emotional. There is no cure so we share our stories in hope that research will give us the answers we want and need someday. Please consider making a donation to Endo Black, Inc. today.

The other day while I was brushing my teeth, I received a text from one of my birth clients. She is now a few weeks postpartum and had just gotten around to responding to the Mother's Day message I sent to her. She informed me that she, her husband and baby were all doing well and she thanked me again for all of my continued support over the past year. I had a moment. I started to tear up because a lot of what I do is tedious, detailed preparation (follow-ups & check-ins, emails & calls, consulting, invoices and paperwork) and very rarely do I stop and take the time to soak in the "thanks". As I began to reflect on her birth and all the families I have supported over the last year specifically, I hit hit me like a ton of bricks-I don't have a single photo of myself doing birth work. Sure, I have a few selfies in my scrubs, some photos from my trainings and even a couple of candids from my first postpartum client, but the only evidence that I have of myself immersed in my work is from the other side of the camera. I have never held any of my birth babies. No one has ever asked. And it's fine. This work isn't about me. But I do wish that I was included more, if that makes sense.

The truth is that much of my work is unseen. I do a lot of make sure my clients are informed about all of their options and I am available to them whenever they need me. All of my clients receive customized support depending on their individual family needs and that could mean a wide range of things. While I can't guarantee a specific birth outcome or experience, my clients can count on professionalism and continuity of care. Bottom line: I do a lot of so that my clients can focus on what's most important: their families. As a doula and professional family caregiver, my work is very personal. The level of trusted care, education and expertise that I give is unmatched. There is the physical side to the job that requires me to show up, listen, be present and hands on, work with the other members of the birth team, take photos, do hip squeezes & massages, get ice, take detailed birth notes and following up with postpartum visits & care all while being emotionally attentive to my clients and so much more. And then there is the part of the job that involves navigating the unknown, waiting and sometimes advocating for your clients... or uncertainties that result in changed plans, different birth outcomes, pain, trauma and even loss. I too have to process all that happens and still support my clients.

​I am always working. Even when it seems like I'm not. But I am also a PERSON and sometimes that gets overlooked. I am a wife and a mother. I have other commitments and responsibilities in the community as well. I also have a chronic disease that some of my clients are unaware of, but I still manage to do what I need to do when the time comes. That's just who I am. But does it have to be?

This year, I have been focusing more on the energy I give and how I use my own energy throughout the day. I have been intentionally practicing the art of attracting the energy I want, especially in business. I have been scheduling time off and taking breaks when needed to make sure my own cup is full. I have a couple of clients right now that I have connected with deeply. They see me. They get me. They acknowledge that I too have emotions and need time away from my work. And I can't tell you how much I appreciate that.

I have changed a lot since I first became a doula. As I developed professionally and experienced different things over the years, my brand has evolved and reflected who I am really am and what I am most passionate about. I think people (my people) are recognizing that and finding me. And while sometimes it gets lonely and even overwhelming on the other side of the camera, I still love it here.

This is the face of postpartum anxiety.

Ten years ago when I became a mother, I had no idea how this precious baby would change me.

Preston is my greatest joy and even though I seem happy in this photo, I was a mess.

A few months after having my son, I developed postpartum anxiety, more specifically postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder. I constantly worried about my son. Is he breathing? Is he eating enough? Will supplementing with formula ruin him? I checked on things in the house over and over again. I cleaned a lot. I barely slept. I definitely didn't eat properly or care for myself like I should have. And to top it off, I had major separation anxiety when my husband would leave for work each day.

There is no doubt in my mind that some of my thoughts had to do with me becoming a parent while I had not yet addressed my own childhood issues & feelings. Part of me felt like I would fail him because I felt damaged. Through all the tears and sleepless nights, my son gave me the gift of healing. His smile is why I smiled. His laugh instantly made me laugh. His birth set in motion a series of events that would allow me to love wholeheartedly, heal and walk in my purpose as a doula so I can help others on their parenting journey.

For more information and resources on maternal mental health, please visit Postpartum Support International.

The Climb Out of the Darkness the world's largest event raising funds and awareness for the mental health of new families operated by Postpartum Support International. The Climb is a community walk and international fundraiser for survivors, providers, and members of the community to come together.

Raising awareness for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, The Climb brings communities together to shine a light on a darkness we often don't speak about. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth.

We share stories of hope and celebrate recovery as we gather together to raise money, raise awareness and give a voice to those who no longer have one and walk together to symbolize our 'Climb' Out of the Darkness.

Click here to view my "Why I Climb" video and learn more about why I believe Postpartum Support International is so essential to new parents. Please consider giving the gift of support to another new mother and make a donation to such a worthy cause.