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The CDC’s ‘HEAR HER’ campaign has been making waves lately, and perhaps it’s because I’m more attuned to its message now that COVID-19 cases are declining in my area. This initiative aims to empower families, partners, and healthcare providers to truly listen when a pregnant individual expresses concerns about their well-being. The goal is to enhance awareness of serious warning signs during and after pregnancy, improving communication between patients and their medical teams.
This campaign resonates deeply with me. During my pregnancy with my daughter, I felt unheard and dismissed despite voicing significant concerns. That oversight nearly cost my baby her life – and mine, too.
My Journey Begins
My journey began at my thirty-week check-up. My regular physician was unavailable, and I met with a substitute. Up to that point, my pregnancy had been straightforward. I was 27, healthy, and feeling good, with routine visits that felt rather standard.
However, this appointment felt different. I expressed my worry about my baby’s decreased movements over the past few days. The doctor listened to the heartbeat and reassured me that everything was fine, attributing the reduced movement to my small frame. I left, albeit somewhat unconvinced.
As days passed, I noticed even less movement. To ease my anxiety, my partner echoed the doctor’s assessment. Surely, if there were real concerns, the doctor would have taken them seriously.
A Call for Help
Then, on a Thursday evening, I realized I couldn’t feel any fetal movement. I called the emergency line, and once again, the on-call doctor downplayed my worries, suggesting I drink some orange juice and lie on my side. My partner rushed out to get juice, and I consumed nearly the entire carton, laying on my side and sobbing. Still, there was no movement.
The following morning, I pleaded for an appointment. The clinic agreed to a non-stress test. I called my boss to inform him I’d be late, and my partner and I went for breakfast before heading to the appointment, anticipating yet another dismissal of my fears.
Testing and Distress
During the test, I shared a room with other expectant mothers. A new doctor entered, assuring me everything was alright after reviewing my file. But I broke down, feeling that something was terribly wrong. She agreed to extend the testing period, and eventually, the results indicated a cause for concern. More tears followed as I was escorted to another room for an ultrasound.
Tragically, my baby didn’t move throughout the ultrasound. Not when I lay on my side, nor when the doctor tried to rouse her. A subsequent test revealed that not only was there no movement, but my baby’s vital systems were failing. She was in distress, with only hours to live.
Emergency Intervention
Fortunately, the clinic was connected to a hospital. A doctor rushed in, declaring that my baby had to be delivered immediately. Within an hour, I was prepared for an emergency C-section. As I signed forms and donned a hospital gown, I received a steroid injection for my baby’s underdeveloped lungs and an IV for hydration. Although there was little time for these interventions to make a difference, every bit helped.
My baby was born via C-section, but she didn’t cry. She appeared pale and tiny, needing immediate blood transfusions and other interventions. I was informed that she might not survive the night. The medical team was also concerned for my health, as I had a placenta accreta, a rare condition where the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall. While I worried for my daughter’s life, the doctors were equally anxious about mine.
A Miraculous Outcome
Against all odds, both of us survived. My daughter spent eight weeks in the NICU, demonstrating an incredible resilience that continues to astound me. Later, the doctor who conducted my non-stress test thanked me for advocating for myself. Had I not spoken up, the outcome could have been far more tragic.
I didn’t realize at the time that my baby’s lack of movement was a significant warning sign of a serious issue. Other symptoms to watch for include ongoing headaches, dizziness, vision changes, fever, severe swelling, breathing difficulties, chest pain, persistent stomach ache, vaginal bleeding, and extreme fatigue. Alarmingly, over 50,000 pregnant individuals in the U.S. face severe health complications related to pregnancy, with roughly 700 fatalities each year. Tragically, individuals from the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Black communities are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white individuals. Approximately two-thirds of these deaths are preventable.
The Importance of Being Heard
It’s crucial that pregnant individuals are heard and believed. Dr. Wanda Barfield, Director of the CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health, emphasizes that a woman knows her body. Listening to her concerns during and after pregnancy can save lives. I was fortunate to be heard in time, but it shouldn’t take days of distress to gain attention. With the push of campaigns like ‘HEAR HER,’ I hope no pregnant individual will have to fight to be listened to.
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Summary
In sharing my ‘HEAR HER’ experience, I highlight the critical importance of listening to pregnant individuals when they express concerns. My struggle with undiagnosed placenta accreta nearly cost my child and me our lives. It’s essential for healthcare providers to take maternal instincts seriously, as many pregnancy-related complications are preventable.