Pre-Eclampsia Kills New Mother Joan Donnelly

After a difficult pregnancy managing both diabetes and pre-eclampsia, Joan Donnelly believed that she was finally in the clear after giving birth. Joan and her husband, Todd Heiden, had been misinformed that the cure for pre-eclampsia was delivery. Joan's preventable death was caused due to a lack of information regarding the real threat posed by postpartum eclampsia.

[@whatsthechannelnameagain]

This was not your fault and PLEASE don't think that. I almost died from severe PIH, severe Preeclampsia and severe HELLP. Our baby died. Delivery is not the cure cause you can still get these syndromes 6 weeks after delivery. I'm so sorry about your loss. It makes me so mad that there is no patient education with these syndromes. When I asked my Dr he said oh you know we don't want to scare you mom's cause then we will have to move into the hospital. I started having fluid retention 3 at weeks. I told my husband I knew I was pregnant so I took 2 tests and I was. I called the Dr office and I said I'm pregnant about 3 weeks but I'm swelling in my feet already. The receptionist said that's common and that the Dr won't see me til I'm 9 weeks. By then the swelling has moved up to my knees and things, it was so weird to watch my body swell. All of the water and fluids I was drinking and I couldn't pee. For five months I had a few drops. When I was 18 weeks I called the office and said I can't feel the baby move so they told me to come right then. They did a u/s and she, the baby, was fine but I was gonna have to watch my weight. That's when my husband got verbal. He said you're telling me that swelling and maybe 3 drops of pee is ok and normal? The Dr said it can happen. We got home and I was exhausted. Later that night I had the most horrid pain in my URQ. I called the office the next day and they said it's just the tendons and my uterus expanding. I remember washing dishes then all the sudden I couldn't pick anything up. Pulled my hands out of the water and they were so swollen that if I barely bent my fingers like a half inch they would turn white. I called the Dr and said well you can go to L&D so we went. They took me from that hospital via ambulance to a much bigger hospital. There was 7 Drs waiting on me. The lady up front in the ambulance stayed on the phone until we got there. They were afraid I was going to have a seizure, my BP was 212/198. They kept me and ran blood work every hour. I was 20 weeks and almost dead. The Drs came in to prepare my husband. A short time later I have birth to her, Darren. She lived 80 minutes. For some reason I'm still here. I'm not sure why my life was spared but I do think I have found my calling.

[@lupegallardo9121]

I’m so deeply sorry for your loss. Watching this video, I see my husband. We had a traumatic birth experience 4 years ago when my son was born early at 26 weeks. I had sever preeclampsia. We both survived. However, my husband and I have more than struggled since. No one hears us, and it feels like no one cares. I’m not sure how to help my husband heal.

[@PastorIhaza]

So glad you survived. Praying for your Hubby.... Dear Lord, You see all and know all.... You blessed this family with miracles of life.... Touch this Family with Communication, Healing and Peace. Bless them with Divine Health for Your Glory🕊

[@CDN1975]

I hope her husband finds peace. Condolences to her family.

[@ravenpittman3051]

I just had 2 seizures and an emergency csection July 14,2021 I remember nothing because it happened in my sleep my 3 yr old ran upstairs to neighbors because I wouldn’t wake up saved my life nothing but god but I remember absolutely nothing from that day 😔

[@makaylawst2]

How are you doing from those seizures. This just happened to me

[@PastorIhaza]

Glad you are still with us...🕊

[@Oceanbae01]

Your baby is your 👼🏽

[@13ird]

Thank you and I thank your wife! ❤ I have preeclampsia symptoms and I am only 25. It is a scary thing because I feel fine but I have moments where I don’t feel good at all. And the doctors do stress that it’ll go away after birth but this is an eye opener. Thank you all.

[@davidkramer6157]

My heart goes out to you! So sorry for your loss. I also ended up having postpartum preaclampsia at the age of 42. Thank you for this video. I have absolutely no doubt it will help many women to save their lives. It’s very sad this happened and you and your family went through such an ordeal.

[@leleharrington-perkins7276]

This broke my heart. I'm so sorry for this family's loss. I have had preeclampsia 3 times with the last one being severe. I had my fifth baby on 8/9/21 at 34 weeks at the age of 44. Fifth csection as well. Everything was fine up until 33 weeks and 5 days. At that time I wasn't feeling good and my baby wasn't as active. I checked my blood pressure with a home monitor and it was very high. I kept rechecking and it wouldn't go down so I went to the emergency room. There my BP was 200ish over 120ish. I was immediately given magnesium sulfate and BP meds. Also they wrapped my legs with these things that inflate and deflate to prevent blood clots. Once my BP got down to 160 I was transferred to the hospital out of town I was to deliver at. I had my C-section and tied my tubes. My little girl spent 3 and a half weeks in the NICU. Thank God we both pulled through.

[@tannerhealthsystem]

Thank you for sharing your story. Hopefully more moms and babies can celebrate birth days together because of the awareness you are creating. I am so terribly sorry for your loss.

[@MsMaxmotivation]

This is tragic, thanks for sharing

[@MsLovelyLady_53]

So srry for your loss, and thank you for sharing! 🙏🏽

[@poignantunicorn2659]

I’m so sorry for this precious family. This was almost me.

[@BigClaunch]

What did you do? The doctors just say it’s normal pregnancy symptoms...

[@jamieku513]

Thank you for your story and the awareness. God Bless you and your family ❤

[@lizcedillo4602]

My condolences. If I ever am around someone who is showing these symptoms I'll k ow what to do to help. thank you.💜

[@almostparadise123]

So sorry, condolences to the family😔💐

[@steph49391]

Watching this as a post partum mom in the hospital, I gave birth early due to me having pre-eclampsia, my baby is in the NICU I watched this to see how serious this really is.. and it’s pretty scary even after you give birth?! Yikes

[@kaitlintropper2061]

So sorry for your loss.

[@Dbjjr26]

😥 God give you strength brother. I can't imagine, I wouldnt know how to cope. My Ex is pregnant...we have 2 sons and our youngest son she had it with. Had to stay in the hospital for a week. Maybe more i just remember it was a long time. She now has it again with her new baby. We're not together but it just breaks my heart to imagine.

[@andrewg4us2010]

This breaks my heart

[@lavishbyvicky8146]

I remembered watching this when I was pregnant year ago I was praying for God to keep me for my babies I’m so sorry for your loss 😢

[@ceeja9400]

I had all the symptoms of Postpartum eclampsia, I developed it after a week i gave birth. My Blood pressure went to 190/120 and i felt sharp pain in my Shoulder, Neck, Back head and Severe Headache that i cant even turn my head.and i was in my hopeless point in life. I feel like i cant make it. Then My Doctor gave me medicines for Hypertensive and Highblood pressure and for Fever. All i did was nothing but to pray. And now im thankful all my Pains are gone but still my BP is high and Suffering for Carpal tunnel sydrome 😔. Now im at my 3rd week of Postpartum stage. I hope everything will be smooth and fine soon. Sorry for your loss. 😪

[@betsycollins601]

My mother had it with her two babies and I had it with all 3 pregnancies, with it going severe on the third pregnancy-I think the genetic component is real! Knowing what I know now, I would have stopped with one baby, but I am grateful to have all 3 of my daughters. I just PRAY they did not inherit this monster from me!

[@ceeja9400]

@@betsycollins601 My mother did not experience all of these with her 3 daughters. I was the only and first person in our family who encounter this. Actually since i was younger my Normal BP is just around 90/60 and that was the highest because i am anemic and maintaining my Ferrous since College up until my second pregnancy. (ON MY FIRST PREGNANCY, EVERYTHING WAS FINE, i was 20 yo that time) now am 27 and after gave birth to my 2nd baby, i got Postpartum pre eclampsia and maintaining my Lozartan and Amlodipine and Suffering from Carpal tunnel Syndrome which i cant move my Wrist and Fingers and in severe pain

[@lucykaruku1392]

@@ceeja9400 how are you

[@shailajakranthi8893]

@@ceeja9400 plz tell me how r u iam suffering from same problem

[@ceeja9400]

@@shailajakranthi8893 Im fine now. BED REST, take plenty of warm water, Drink Calamansi Juice or any fresh fruit juice helps to lower blood pressure. And take Meds prescribed by your OB. Hope u get well soonest

[@hannahp.fletcher9969]

The negligence of her medical team absolutely disgusts me as a nurse. This is horrific and 100% fault of negligence by the hospital. I am so sorry for your family, and I hope you continue to remember her in angelic light.

[@Healing_Decibels]

can you specify where exactly her medical team was negligent for awareness purposes. I had postpartum PE too, was discharged from hospital on day 2 but had to call 911 on day 7

[@MoonlightNothing]

So beautiful, the love. Godspeed ♡

[@Adedamola.]

May her soul Rest In Peace 🙏

[@mohamedmuse2805]

I wish I could watch this video before, 3 weeks ago I lost my wife and the baby for Pre-Eclampsia😭😭😭💔. May Allah grant her amongst the highest levels of Jannah. Ameen

[@SiddiquiSadia]

Oh God .. I'm so sorry for your loss .. may Allah swt grant her high place in Jannah and grant you courage, aameen

[@hirwatv8090]

Am so sorry for your loss may her soul rest in peace

[@betsycollins601]

I also had preeclampsia after birth as well. It is an awful thing. It took me a full five years to get back to normal. I wish this mother had had a similar outcome as myself.

[@almazenteno1329]

How old you were by that time ?

[@monikae554]

I too had preclampsia but noone caught it, emergency c section, post infection, and still after 5 years later im doing better but its been tough. Sorry to hear this tragedy happened to this mom & family. 🙏

[@missyrinaroseBet]

I just lost my baby boy yesterday due to this i feel so lost wish more then anything i had a choice in deciding on who could had live i would've gave up ANY thing for him to be here i keep blame myself

[@brittanylashay001]

Hey Missy. I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm praying for you dear.

[@betsycollins601]

I am so sorry.

[@missyrinaroseBet]

Ty YOU guys still healing this is the worst hurt ever

[@jenniegutierrez1612]

So sorry for your loss, I lost my daughter last year november at 5 months due to "rupture of the mrmbrane" . Its hard not to blame oneself , but I've found some good coping mechanism from loved ones and I know it doesn't look like it now , but you will soon be able to accept that at least baby is in a better place , a place where every day we're constantly fighting to get in . Baby is now your little angel protecting and watching over you , like mines ❤ you will find strength I promise, GOD has a purpose

[@missyrinaroseBet]

@@jenniegutierrez1612 im just start to feel like that it hurt still but its gettin easy

[@bindrasubedi1295]

So sad news 🥲god bless you all I also had preeclampsia in my first pregnancy so where do you live

[@sarahhamblett4087]

So sad

[@michellerosa2133]

My sister just had a baby , and she has preeclampsia and they have her on a Iv drip and high blood pressure medications , having a problem with her kidney.

[@michellegomez9114]

I’m so sorry 😢. I had preeclampsia as well. I went to the hospital right away. I had a death headache and it didn’t stop until my baby was out of my body.

[@irina958]

Same here, my blood pressure was so high. They gave me meds through an IV but my blood pressure wasn’t going down. The nurses told me that with my high BP I can start having seizures & my organs could start shutting down. I was so scared & was alone in the hospital.

[@astheticlemon5312]

God bless🙏🏽💛✝️

[@jessirose6583]

Thank you for bravely sharing your story. I lost one of my twins to preclampsia because it wasn't caught. I'm so sorry and I completely empathize.

[@DamnImWounded]

🙏💔💔🙏

[@Biobrandon]

I had Preclampsia, so sorry for this family, love and huggs...x

[@brittanylashay001]

How long were you in blood pressure meds?

[@mzladytroublez]

This is sad... I had a c section... And develop severe preeclampsia after giving birth. Also, i was at home alone and im pg again and im scared but aware .

[@youngmiyang87]

Woah did u just have a newborn or what? Why prego again? Could of wait til baby bigger like 3 to 4 yrs old.

[@BulldawgMurff]

This is happening now for my daughter in law. Just admitted to the hospital today. Gave birth last week. Any tips?

[@neelubaral6867]

Are you fine or having bp med?

[@neelubaral6867]

Lue Yang how iz she now?

[@mzladytroublez]

@@youngmiyang87 my baby was born in 2018. I got pregnant but end up being chemical pregnancy. Not pregnant anymore. But u want kids but just a scary thought that it can happen n mite not be so lucky. But your right. Waiting is deff best.

[@nikkibell4621]

I had preeclampsia. It was found late. They told me, " The CURE FOR PREECLAMPSIA IS DELIVERY!" I went home with my BEAUTIFUL 35 week old daughter, Brooke Sierrah. She was 7pds 9oz. Yes at 35 weeks! Actually one day shy...but anyway.. NOONE CAUGHT ON TO MY PREECLAMPSIA I delivered went home!!! Oh I'm SAFE?! NOOO.... I COULDN'T BREATHE. I WENT TO EMERGENCY ROOM N I COULDN'T BREATHE, OR SEE OUT MY EYES THEY DONT TELL U THAT I had blurry vision etc. If anyone need anyone questions answered? I'm here! I went through it!

[@nikkibell4621]

@@PatientSafetyMovement wow! Thank you! I will look into it! This happened to me yrs ago..I cannot believe it's still happening. Thsnk you so much for bringing this forward...and putting it out here... xx

[@makaylawst2]

Yes I just went through it but instead I had 2 seizures and this was all after I had the baby and being sent home. It started with a surveyed headache . Im still scared

[@musicalyrica6573]

Same, before I was sent home after my stillbirth my eyes were blurry I cant even see clearly just a shadow but I never thought it was something since I already experienced it during my pregnancy. When I woke up my eyes went a little back to normal but I see a little blurred and sparkling. I never went to my check up with my Obgyn because I was traumatized the way she handled me. Up until now 1 year later I never went to any Obgyne for follow up check up should I go? Pls any suggestions 😔

[@kadeishaherring]

i been diagnosed with preeclampsia today 😢💔

[@lucykaruku1392]

Did it go away?

[@kadeishaherring]

@@lucykaruku1392 well i was giving medication & i have 8 weeks left & my doctor did inform me that muy bp is normal but i will get more answers at my appointment to see if i still have protein in my urine

[@CocoChanelle-1]

That was not your fault. Everything happened quickly.

[@prestigious2372]

I hate how they just send you home. I believe women should stay longer in the hospital to be monitored there. I was sent home and ended up in the er the next day, my preeclampsia turned to HELLP syndrome. If I had stayed home I would have died as well. The only thing that helped was that I knew what to look for and a knew I had to go to the doctor. May she RIP, and strength to her family such a sad story.

[@misssammaa7026]

I was at the hospital for 3 nights. I had preeclampsia with severe symptoms and had an emergency c section at 26 weeks. I was so lucky to get the care I got at the hospital I was at. So scary. I feel so so sorry for this family, preeclampsia is no joke 😪 I wish this man wouldn’t blame himself for the death of his wife, I can’t imagine what he is going through.

[@xylinabarbie1202]

💔