Its so rare and so scary, she said.
And youre still trying to juggle all of these things, and the world doesnt know whats happening quietly.
If you leave here with the way things are right now, you could have astroke, she explained.
skynesher/Getty Images
In that moment, I realized just how big of a deal this wasand decided to stay.
It took two more days to get my blood pressure under control.
Thankfully, my blood pressure stayed down and I didnt have a stroke.
Heres what doctors want women to know.
Postpartum preeclampsia can cause high blood pressure up to six weeks after delivery.
While its not as common, you’re free to also experience preeclampsia after giving birth.
Unfortunately, doctors dont know why some women develop the condition and others dont.
Symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia can vary depending on the patient and how severe it is,G.
I personally didnt have any noticeable symptoms, making my extended hospital stay even more frustrating from my perspective.
The condition can lead to some serious complications.
My doctor wasnt being dramatic: you could actually have a range of serious complications from postpartum preeclampsia.
This has got to be taken seriously, Dr. Ruiz stresses.
Treatment depends on the individual situation.
My doctor originally tried to watch and wait to see if my blood pressure would go down.
Thats pretty standard, Dr. Greves says.
Its crucial to listen to your bodyand your healthcare teamafter you give birth.
My own health was the last thing on my mind after having my first child.
That makes a lot of sense, but it can be at the cost of your own health.
Dr. Gur says its crucial to remember to focus on your own health during this time.
you gotta put on your oxygen mask first, she says.
That means, if your doctor recommends that you do something, its important to listen.
We will only ask you to stay in the hospital if its medically necessary, Dr. Greves says.
Related:
Get more of SELF’s great service journalism delivered right to your inboxfor free.
