Sofia Richie Grainge recently shared her experience with postpartum preeclampsia, shedding light on a condition that many new moms may not be aware of. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she described the birth of her daughter as “the best day of my life,” but her journey in the weeks that followed was quite challenging.
Grainge, who is the daughter of musician Lionel Richie, recalled that after spending two days in the hospital, she returned home only to experience significant swelling. “I blew up like a balloon—quite literally,” she shared during her appearance on the podcast SHE MD. Her blood pressure soared to a concerning 165 over 103, leading to a diagnosis of postpartum preeclampsia.
This serious condition can manifest within 48 hours after giving birth and can escalate to eclampsia (which involves seizures) and HELLP syndrome, a life-threatening complication characterized by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count. Grainge had previously encountered preeclampsia during her pregnancy, which is marked by a sudden spike in blood pressure. At 32 weeks pregnant, she felt fatigued and crampy, prompting her to consult her healthcare provider.
“I texted my doctor, Dr. Lily Thomason, saying, ‘Hey, I woke up feeling really tired today, my back hurts, and I feel a bit crampy,’” Grainge recounted. Her doctor recommended that she visit a fetal specialist for monitoring, which ultimately led to a six-day hospital stay before being placed on bed rest and inducing labor at 38 weeks. Although she had a “fantastic delivery” and felt better after her daughter’s arrival, just two days later, the swelling returned. Once again, she reached out to her care team, who advised her to return to the hospital.
A Reminder for New Mothers
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Conclusion
In summary, Sofia Richie Grainge’s experience highlights the importance of understanding postpartum complications like preeclampsia and encourages new mothers to be proactive about their health. This journey can be overwhelming, but support is available, and resources can guide you through.