Aside from the usual pregnancy complications, most mums fear experiencing near-death labour. This usually happens to at-risk pregnancies and mums suffering from preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia risks in themselves are enough to make most mothers dread their delivery date. However, things took a turn for the worst when a mum's preeclampsia progressed to eclampsia.
Though rare, eclampsia occurs when the mother's high blood pressure triggers seizures during pregnancy or labour. It also happens as a severe complication of preeclampsia. This happened to a woman from England who experienced traumatic childbirth due to eclampsia.
In this article, you'll read:
- This Mum Recalls Her Scary Near-death Labour
- The Benefits of Pilates After Giving Birth
This Mum Recalls Her Scary Near-death Labour
Beverley Densham, a mum from England, had traumatic childbirth 17 years ago because of eclampsia and preeclampsia.
On the 29th of July 2005, she gave birth to her son Sammy. She was at the age of 31 during that time.
According to her, she was very healthy and normal almost throughout her pregnancy. Unfortunately, things changed when she was nearing her pregnancy due date, and it no longer feels quite right.
A few weeks before giving birth, the mum started having severe headaches. Aside from that, she was also experiencing flashing lights in her vision.
Headaches, especially more severe ones, must be taken seriously during pregnancy. She then decided to communicate with he sister, a midwife, who advised her to see a doctor.
She First Showed Signs of Preeclampsia
An ambulance picked her up and drove her to the hospital in Hertfordshire, England. She underwent some blood tests, which turned out to be normal.
Despite her normal blood test results, the doctor told her that she exhibited most symptoms of preeclampsia. To find them out for yourself, we listed the common preeclampsia symptoms below.
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Upper right belly pain
- General feeling of illness or being unwell
Her preeclampsia symptoms worsened a few weeks after the doctor told informed her of her diagnosis. This alarmed her attending doctor because, at that time, she was at three weeks and three days before her due date.
Preeclampsia Can Be Dangerous and Life-threatening
While she was aiming to deliver her baby through natural birth, her health condition at that time did not permit her. The doctor advised her to get induced on that day.
The whole process causes her so much pain. She experienced waves of pain, which were very constant and at the most extreme level. She also described seeing her face double in size due to swelling.
It had come to a point when she passed out because of the extreme pain. She then realised that preeclampsia could be dangerous and life-threatening.
Emergency Caesarean Section
Due to her condition, the best option for her is to undergo a C-section instead of a normal birth delivery. It alarmed her because they classified it as a major emergency.
On the other hand, she knew needed to undergo an emergency cesarean to save both her life and her son's. While giving birth, she sensed something amiss.
The doctor immediately sent her son to the special care baby unit because of the traumatic birth. She was then wheeled to assisted intensive care. After that, she was told she suffered from eclampsia.
Fortunately, the baby turned out to be a fine and healthy boy. She was delighted to find out that he was alive and okay.
Thinking about what happened in the past, she felt she could prevent what happened if she took her headaches seriously. While she regrets ignoring her migraines during pregnancy, she knows that she can't change the past.
The Postpartum Period
After the whole ordeal, Beverley Densham, along with her newborn son, returned to their home. She attempted to return to work and establish a new routine with her son in mind.
However, after her birth experience, her body becomes weak. Despite that, she was determined to return to work just 8 weeks after her pregnancy, which is a bit early.
Densham managed a Pilates studio at that time. She goes there with her son, Sammy, and invites other mums to bring their kids, which is refreshing.
"I feel blessed that my son and I are happy, alive, and well," she explained.
While recalling her near-death labour, she realised the thin line between life and death. Though it wasn't her time then, she understood how these things can happen at any time.
Additionally, she emphasised how pilates helped in improving her health condition. Practising and teaching pilates has been a good distraction for her.
The Benefits of Pilates After Giving Birth
Beverley Densham currently works as a pilates teacher while managing a podcast. She encourages other mums to practice pilates and meditation with her.
In truth, pilates helps promote an active and healthy lifestyle. It is also advantageous to pregnant women as it helps in preparing for labour and delivery.
Additionally, pilates helps in reducing some of the adverse side effects of pregnancy. Here are a few benefits of pilates after giving birth:
- Improving posture
- Preventing back pain and reducing tenderness
- Strengthening core muscles
- Improving diastasis recto
- Improving well-being and confidence
- Strengthening an individual's pelvic floor muscles