Meghan Markle suffered from postpartum preeclampsia
Meghan Markle has opened up about suffering from postpartum preeclampsia on her new podcast Confessions Of A Female Founder.
The mum-of-two has kept details of her children’s births private until now, with Meghan revealing she had a “huge medical scare” after giving birth.
Meghan did not disclose if the medical scare happened after the birth of her son Archie or her daughter Lilibet.
The mum told her guest Whitney Wolfe Herd: “We both had very similar experiences – though we didn’t know each other at the time – with postpartum, and we both had preeclampsia. Postpartum preeclampsia.”
“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.”
Wolfe Herd added that it was “life or death, truly.”
Meghan’s supporters have praised her for opening up about postpartum preeclampsia.
The signs of postpartum preeclampsia
Postpartum preeclampsia is a condition that can happen up to six weeks after the birth of your baby.
This rare condition causes high blood pressure and high levels of protein in your urine.
It can be incredibly serious and even life-threatening if left untreated.
The main symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia include:
- High blood pressure (140/90 mmHg or higher).
- High levels of protein in your urine (proteinuria).
- Headache (often severe).
- Changes in vision like blurred vision or light sensitivity.
- Swelling of your face, hands, feet or limbs.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Abdominal pain, usually near your ribs.
- Decreased urination.
- Rapid weight gain.
- Shortness of breath.
Anyone who experiences these symptoms should seek medical help immediately.
The cause of postpartum preeclampsia is unknown, but there are many factors that may increase your risk.
They include:
- Obesity.
- High blood pressure during pregnancy.
- Family or personal history of preeclampsia or postpartum preeclampsia.
- Being younger than 20.
- Being older than 40.
- Expecting twins or more.
- Autoimmune conditions.
- Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
Meghan Markle has been praised for raising awareness about this rare but serious condition.
There’s no doubt it was difficult for her to open up about the health scare but raising awareness about women’s health issues is always worth it.
