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The ‘HEAR HER’ campaign by the CDC has been prominently featured lately, perhaps catching my attention more due to the recent decline in COVID cases in my area. This initiative aims to emphasize the importance of truly listening when a pregnant individual expresses concerns about their health. The goal is to raise awareness of critical warning signs during and after pregnancy while fostering better communication between patients and their healthcare providers.
My personal experience resonates deeply with this campaign. When I was expecting my daughter, I felt unheard. Despite my repeated concerns over a week, I was dismissed, and tragically, this oversight nearly cost my baby her life—and mine as well.
The Ordeal Begins
The ordeal began during my thirty-week check-up. My regular physician was unavailable, and a substitute doctor conducted the appointment. Up until then, my pregnancy had been smooth sailing. I was 27, in good health, and everything seemed to be progressing normally. When I voiced my worry about the baby’s decreased movements, the doctor reassured me that all was well, attributing it to my small frame and explaining that the baby simply might not have enough space to move around. I accepted this explanation and left.
As the days went by, my anxiety grew as the movements continued to diminish. To ease my concerns, my husband echoed the doctor’s reassurances, convincing me that if something was genuinely wrong, the doctor would have reacted more seriously.
A Desperate Night
Then, on a Thursday night, I couldn’t feel the baby at all. After calling the emergency line, the on-call physician reiterated the same advice: the baby was just growing. I was told to drink orange juice and lie on my side. My husband hurried to get the juice, and I consumed nearly the whole carton, laid down, and cried. Yet, there was no response from my baby.
The next morning, I desperately sought an appointment. The clinic agreed to a non-stress test. I called my boss to inform him I’d be late, and after breakfast, my husband and I headed to the appointment, expecting another dismissal of my worries.
Critical Moments
During the test, I was in a room filled with other expectant mothers when a new doctor entered, assuring me everything was fine after reviewing my file. But my instincts screamed otherwise. Overwhelmed with emotion, I started to cry. The doctor decided to extend the test duration.
Eventually, the results raised significant concerns. After more tears, I was quickly moved to another room for an ultrasound, where the technician noted my baby hadn’t moved at all—neither when I changed positions nor when jolted by the doctor. A subsequent test indicated that my baby’s vital systems were in distress and she had only hours left to live.
Fortunately, the clinic was linked to a hospital. A doctor rushed in, stating that immediate delivery was essential. Within less than an hour, I was being prepped for an emergency C-section. I signed forms, donned a hospital gown, and received a steroid injection to support my baby’s underdeveloped lungs, although time was too short for it to make much difference.
The Outcome
When my baby was finally delivered via C-section, she was silent, pale, and tiny. She required urgent blood transfusions, and I was informed that she might not survive the night. Additionally, I was diagnosed with placenta accreta—a rare condition where the placenta embeds too deeply into the uterine wall. While I was consumed with worry for my daughter’s survival, the medical team was equally concerned about my own life.
Both my daughter and I survived, thankfully. She spent eight weeks in the NICU and emerged as a remarkably resilient child.
Afterward, the doctor who conducted my non-stress test sought me out to express gratitude for my persistence. If I hadn’t voiced my concerns, the outcome could have been drastically different.
Recognizing Warning Signs
I didn’t realize then that my baby’s reduced movements were a critical warning sign. Other symptoms of potential life-threatening conditions include:
- Persistent headaches
- Dizziness or fainting
- Changes in vision
- Fever
- Severe swelling in the hands and face
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain or rapid heartbeat
- Extreme nausea or vomiting
- Ongoing stomach pain
- Vaginal bleeding or fluid leakage
- Swelling, pain, or redness in limbs
- Extreme fatigue
- Thoughts of self-harm or harm to the baby
In the U.S., over 50,000 individuals face severe pregnancy-related health issues, with around 700 fatalities from complications annually. The risks are particularly heightened for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Black communities, who are two to three times more likely to experience pregnancy-related deaths compared to white women. Alarmingly, two-thirds of these deaths are preventable. It’s crucial that pregnant individuals are heard and believed. Dr. Wanda Barfield from the CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health emphasized, “A woman knows her body. Listening to her concerns during or after pregnancy could save her life.”
Reflecting on my experience, I realize it shouldn’t have taken days of distress to be taken seriously. With the efforts of the HEAR HER campaign, I hope that no pregnant individual ever has to fight for their voice to be heard.
Further Resources
For further insights into pregnancy and home insemination, this resource on pregnancy is invaluable. Additionally, you might find this article on home insemination interesting, and for those seeking kits, visit Make A Mom for more information.
Summary
This personal account highlights the importance of listening to pregnant individuals when they voice concerns about their health. The author shares a harrowing experience of being dismissed by healthcare providers despite significant warning signs, ultimately leading to a life-threatening situation for both mother and baby. The narrative underscores the need for better communication in maternal healthcare and the critical nature of recognizing and addressing urgent warning signs during pregnancy.
- Pregnancy complications
- Maternal health awareness
- Emergency pregnancy situations
- Signs of distress in pregnancy
- Importance of prenatal care
Keyphrase: Maternal health awareness
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