Host Madeline Herec Poirier speaks with Courtney, a mom of two boys in Massachusetts who, during both of her pregnancies, suffered from preeclampsia. Courtney takes us through her experiences and stresses the importance of knowing what to look out for, and advocating for yourself if you are experiencing preeclampsia symptoms. 

This episode serves as a great reminder that some things are out of our control, and blaming ourselves for those things don’t serve us. Let them go, and be present. You’re doing great.

Preeclampsia is a condition in which high blood pressure develops in the second half of pregnancy and can damage other organ systems, most often the liver and kidneys, and affects at least 5 to 8 percent of pregnancies. 

It should be acknowledged that Black women are disproportionately affected by the disease and are 3-4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. This is due to a myriad of issues, including the lack of access to care, poor quality of care and the dismissal of symptoms by healthcare professionals. 

To learn more about racial disparities in pregnancy complications, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/p0905-racial-ethnic-disparities-pregnancy-deaths.html

Please note that Due Differently is not a source of medical advice. Consult your medical provider if you are experiencing anything that you hear about in this episode. That being said, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia.

Symptoms include, but are not limited to:

• Severe headaches
• Changes in vision (temporary loss of vision, blurred vision or light sensitivity)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Decreased urine output
• Shortness of breath

For more information about the symptoms and risk factors of preeclampsia, as well as the research being done to find a cure, visit: https://www.preeclampsia.org/

Sound Design and Mix for this episode by Jon Day. Check out his work here: https://soundlister.com/portfolio/jon-day/

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