On November 24, 2022, I went to the ER for an emergency C-section due to my high-risk pregnancy. During my whole pregnancy, I was told about the “uncommon” issues a woman can experience, and I got almost everything “uncommon” that I was warned about.
My pregnancy was far from what I dreamed of. After having my son, doctors told me it was “unlikely” for me to develop blood clots because I’m young and healthy. Well, clots don’t discriminate. I ended up in the ER with severe chest pains and difficulty breathing. Nobody believed me and they told me I was having an anxiety attack. I knew I wasn’t okay and I would have to be my own advocate, not only for myself but for my children.
I finally convinced a doctor that something was wrong, so she ordered a CT scan. Hours later, three nurses rushed me into a room. I got no apology for the way I was treated. They hooked me up to every monitor in the room, and I was told that I had pulmonary emboli.
In that moment, I felt like the world around me had stopped. All I could think about was my two boys. I felt robbed, like someone had just taken away what was supposed to be the happiest moments of my life with my kids. I didn’t get to enjoy my labor and now I don’t get to enjoy my newborn. I feel like I will never be the same when it comes to my or my children’s health, and I’m hoping I can pull myself out of this dark place I was led to by blood clots. This will not be the end of me.
Resources
Blood Clots and Pregnancy
Signs and Symptoms of Blood Clots
Know Your Risk
