A young mum nearly had a stroke after giving birth when she was struck down by the same condition as Meghan Markle.
Heather Turville was diagnosed with postpartum preeclampsia just hours after delivering her son.
The 25-year-old had to be induced at 37 weeks due to having high blood pressure, with baby Tyler welcomed into the world following a gruelling 65-hour labour.
Doctors made the call to bring on labour early after Heather was diagnosed with pregnancy hypertension during a routine appointment.
She had a “traumatic” vacuum delivery, a method that left her with third-degree tears.
But her nightmare continued after the birth, when the mum’s blood pressure skyrocketed to dangerously high levels.
Doctors quickly hooked her up to a magnesium drip to stop her from having a seizure or stroke.
“As I was being transferred to the postpartum room, I remember being so scared and felt the saddest I ever have in my life,” Heather, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, told Need To Know.
“I was annoyed that I couldn’t go home, but I understood taking care of my blood pressure was important so I could take care of my baby.
“One of the things that made me the most upset was not being able to shower or wash my hair after my 65-hour induction.
“I remember crying hysterically a few hours after giving birth about not being able to get clean.
“Because I had a vacuum delivery, I was not able to hold my baby right away because they took him to be examined.
“I started crying tears of joy and relief when he was first delivered and I was able to sneak a quick peek at him.
“[Being on the IV] made me feel so hot and sweaty; I was happy when those 20 minutes were over.
“When I was finally able to have skin-to-skin time with him, it was one of the best moments of my life.”
Heather, who works as a 3D medical imaging specialist, was sent home on two types of blood pressure tablets and had to go back every few days to check her levels.
Thankfully, her blood pressure began to settle and she was gradually taken off the medication.
She’s now healthy at home with her baby and husband, Matt, 25.
Heather said: “I am very happy that they caught my postpartum preeclampsia almost immediately and they were able to treat me within hours.
“I hear a lot of stories of women who have to come back to the hospital days later because of their symptoms with postpartum preeclampsia.
“I am very grateful for my medical care team.”
Preeclampsia is a dangerous condition that can happen during or after pregnancy and can lead to seizures or even death if not treated.
Meghan Markle recently opened up about her experience with postpartum preeclampsia in the debut episode of her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder.
The 43-year-old kicked off the show with her first guest and close friend, Bumble, founder, Whitney Wolfe Herd, 35.
During their chat about juggling motherhood and work, Meghan revealed that both she and Whitney suffered with postpartum preeclampsia.
She said: “We both had very similar experiences – though we didn’t know each other at the time – with postpartum, and we both had preeclampsia.”
Meghan later continued: “It’s so rare and so scary.
“And you’re still trying to juggle all of these things and the world doesn’t know what’s happening quietly.
“And in the quiet, you’re still trying to show up for people – mostly for your children – but those things are huge medical scares.”
Heather has shared her own story to warn other mums of symptoms to look out for – even after the baby is born.
She added: “Doctors did not tell me I could have lost my life but they did say I could’ve suffered from a stroke or seizure, which is why they rushed to give me the magnesium bolus.
“I am much happier since being discharged from the hospital, I have been very busy with newborn life and balancing doctors’ appointments, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
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