Heart Health Repurposed - Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
- Brandi
- May 2, 2019
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 29, 2021
Having a baby is one of those things in life you think about no matter if you are male or female.
Children are for some and others it's not.
There are some who desire it and others who have accepted that it's not in their life plan for them.
All is acceptable. Why do you ask? Oh, that's just because each of our paths are unique and our very own to travel. That's a special gift with the right perspective. Granted, perspective isn't immediate. Definitely worth it in the end. Just wait and see...
There are wonder and glorious moments in both paths taken. Having children doesn't make you or break you. Each situation encourages growth as a human. Patience, sacrifice and life lessons are all part of our daily lives.
I remember thinking at the age of 34, if it' happens it happens. If it doesn't, that's okay too. That just means I get to pour into other people's children where God is willing. That thought was comforting and wonderfully embraced. Find peace with where you are at. Many things are outside of our control. This was a tough lesson to learn for me.
Let me explain why...
When I met my now ex-husband and we were going through the motions of a beautiful relationship and found ourselves expecting, it was a welcomed shock, pleasurable and very intimidating at the same time. This world is always evolving. As I recently watched the Netflix series "Our Planet", it only reminded me of the daily good deeds and example I must set for our beautiful blessing to become a world changer. We are very unsure what that'll look like for her but excited for her to embrace her destiny.
Little did I know how my body would react to the birthing of a child. No one can prepare you. Many folks share their stories and each adventure isn't the same. Especially when it comes to unforeseen hurdles.
Here is my biggest hurdle thus far in my life: Mortality is a real thing.
After 49.5 hours of labor we were taken for an c-section as our sweet pea was sunny-side up (face up vs. face down). She was doing the Matrix, pretty sure... She was 12 days late and....still not ready to come out. This is a problem with how our bodies are designed. There is a right way and a wrong way for things. If you feel you're done and need to move to the next level of care. Demand it. Maybe even earlier than that 49th hour.
The c-section was a breeze (due to drugs and if you think purging the entire time, knowing your daughter is due to arrive any moment) and the doctor was stellar. When he lifted this bundle of joy into the air and the entire room gasped at how alert she was and not crying, only comforted me she was meant to be. Not to mention, I wasn't a cute baby, so I held my breath to see if she took after me or dad in that arena. Thankfully, she took after dad. Phew! She was beautifully perfect.
We were in the hospital total 5 days. However, the excitement of coming home with a brand-new baby, was short lived, 3 days into cuddling and loving on her. We all went to bed (for the brief 2 hours before her next feeding) and I found myself unable to lay down on my back. The feeling appeared of something heavy on my chest, kept me in a panic before sitting up swiftly gasping for air. You of course try to flip from side to side finding the sweet spot for ease. The best way to sleep was standing over the bed half bent with my face on my pillow near the cradle. When it comes to matters of the heart, laying down fully never felt good. Found myself crying and feeling so defeated and tired after just giving birth, settling in to our family of 2 becoming 3.
Folks, you know your body best and don't short change yourself when you don't feel well. You don't have to be a super hero. Be you - a healthy you. Please speak up.
At my 1st follow up, the nurse practitioner didn't take my vitals or take my "heavy heart" as I called it seriously. I was told it was normal and it'd get better as the days went on. They removed my staples and sent me on my way.
That night was worse than the others, unable to sleep and rest. In attempting to pick up our infant and not being able to walk across the room without being winded or shaking was disheartening. Kept asking myself, "Why can't I do this? All other moms have a baby come home and carry on well." It was truly maddening.
My lovely mother came by the following day to see how I was doing. She checked my blood pressure and it was alarmingly high. I was having mini frustrated/panic attacks mentally and crying because my body wasn't 100%. Prior to becoming pregnant, I went to the doctor for annual physicals only. Super healthy and active. So, what the heck was happening to me now?
We went to the ER leaving the sweet newborn with her daddy, not knowing if and when I'd be back. That was the hardest thing to do. Put me before her? Wait, what? <-- This life lesson is a must learn. We are unavailable if we aren't whole ourselves.
Upon arriving to the ER, they immediately gave me medicine to reduce my blood pressure and Lasix via IV to flush the water out of my system. Did I mention my legs waist down were so swollen, my knees were slits and there were no knee caps? I wore slippers to the ER since my feet weren't going to fit a shoe at that point. Very unusual and uncomfortable.
Tests were run and blood was taken for 4 days. All I could communicate with the hospital staff, "What do I need to do to get home to my baby girl?". The lead cardio doc came in and said, "The staff was telling me you've been a very difficult patient... (then he laughed) no....they've said you've been such a pleasure." I laughed and said, "No sense in being negative. That won't get me out of here any faster, right?". He chuckled and agreed. I did have moments of solid rest and sleep (which I think God knew I needed). In addition to many spouts of just crying alone out of sadness for my unhealthy moment in time and missing my family.
The news and excitement we kept on the down-low until we knew more, and I had time to process the details personally. This was a huge part for me personally to overcome the thoughts and have answers to potential questions. Know it's okay to take a moment before the world is notified. It's not that we want to short change our loving family and friends, just need a moment to embrace the unknown territory.
Our family was great and did all they could to assist with our bundle of joy. I left the hospital with 2 diagnosis codes the day before Christmas Eve. Phew! That's cutting it close! Pretty sure our little's first Christmas would have been lost had it not been for her super daddy.
1. Postpartum Preeclampsia (high blood pressure and excess protein in urine after childbirth)
2. Cardiomyopathy (Heart enlarges, and my valve leaked/weakened as a result of giving birth)
Rare condition.
Happens to less than 1500 women in the USA a year.
Unsure if it's genetic.
Not much research on it.
Shouldn't have more children. As it'd be high risk.
60-70% of hearts do heal themselves.
Unable to work out/get back to pre-pregger body. Must rest the heart.
It's not about diet/bad arteries but about the heart's reaction to childbirth.
After one and a half years with the same Cardiologist and no real plan to get me off medicine, I felt I needed a specialist of Cardiomyopathy. It's a very rare condition, only 14 offices exist in the USA. Not to mention the different "flavors" of Cardiomyopathy that does exist and who knows best in the industry.
This is a learning experience for me and definitely something that could have taken me had my mom not taken me to the ER that day. Thanks, Mom!
If you find yourself at a doctor's office who doesn't seem to get it or have a plan of action to make you well, please reach out and find a new one who will. You're worth it.
The U of M Cardiomyopathy doctor has been absolutely amazing and so glad I broke up with my original doctor. within the 1st appointment we had a prognosis plan in place. We knew for sure it was Peripartum Cardiomyopathy specifically. We knew my heart was on the mend and meds were adjusted accordingly. Follow your instincts you will always know your body best.
To be honest, my repurposed healing heart is leading me towards health and wellness. My brain is curious and wants to learn and grow. With this new doctor came the first Peripartum Cardiomyopathy support group invite. Guess what? The group starts this weekend. God is pulling on my heart strings to glance in a new direction. I am on board as He knows better than I. Where there is peace of mind there is God.
"Be still and know that I am God". Psalms 46:10
My goal is to be here for that precious little human being I wasn't sure was in my life plan... but sure am glad she is here beside me.
The unknown is scary, but the beautiful thing is the caterpillar knows a butterfly is what's to come...
What do your butterfly wings look like?
What are you going to do about it?
Songs:
Cardiomyopathy:
Podcasts:
Healthy Restaurant to Try in Michigan:
Quotes:
"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly." - Richard Bach
Photo: Our mom and dad on their wedding day (1980).
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