On Oct 27, 2021, I checked in to WOMACK Army Medical Center on Fort Bragg in NC. I was scheduled for an induction at 40 weeks. 2 weeks prior I went to the ER for my concerns of swelling. Everything was normal as it had been all of the weeks prior. On the day of my induction, I was in labor for more than 24 hours trying to deliver naturally. 28 hours later I delivered via emergency C-Section. Two days later, very swollen, I was sent home to recover with my brand-new baby. Immediately when I got home something did not feel right in my chest. I was struggling to breathe and was even more swollen than before. I could feel fluid rush to my feet when I stood up. I called the hospital to question if this was normal and was again reassured. On the second day I just could not shake this feeling of something being wrong. I decided to go to the ER. When I got checked in it was then that an OB doctor came down held my hand and said to me thank God you came in today, I'm not sure you would have made it another night. I had fluid built in my lungs, and my BP was stroke high. I was admitted to critical care received a magnesium treatment and had almost 40 pounds of fluid drained from my body. In the next days I remained in the CCU and then transferred to the mommy and baby floor. I had developed cardiomyopathy and was in heart failure. I have never been so scared in my life and the worst part is because of covid I was alone and couldn't see my baby that entire time. In the coming days through medication my BP was stabilized, and I was released under weekly cardiology care. Fast forward 6 months I am still under cardiology care still on BP medication, but the dilation of my heart has subsided, and I am walking back into not only my normal life but life as a new mom and a fulltime Soldier. When I researched my diagnosis and when I talk about what I had experienced with others no one understands or has even heard of what I went through. To think of my baby not having her mom not being here with the child I prayed for still brings me to tears.

Know that I still get scared going to the doctor, I wake up at night from nightmares of what could have been, sometimes I look at my baby, my family and I break out in tears, I want more children, but I am terrified. I don't know what happened while in the hospital I didn't get very many answers. I thought I could trust my doctors, but I still feel uneasy about the entire ordeal. I am still not over this but I am thankful to be alive and I realized that so many women cannot say the same, so I am sharing my story for anyone who shares in this experience, and I hope to provide support, friendship, prayer and community to you.

With Love
Shay