I met Victoria over Instagram during Preeclampsia Awareness Month. During this month many survivors, including me, share their stories. She is a postpartum preeclampsia survivor. She developed postpartum preeclampsia just days after her baby was born. I quickly fell in love with her account and all that she is doing. Victoria is the Founder and Race Director of the 140 over 90 run.
Postpartum preeclampsia is something not a lot of people know about. Preeclampsia is typically associated with pregnancy and not during the postpartum period. It has a lot of the same symptoms of preeclampsia during pregnancy such as severe headaches, seeing spots, swelling in hands & feet, and stomach pains.
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Table of Contents
Meet Victoria The Postpartum Preeclampsia Survivor
About Me.
This is a hard question for me to answer as so much has changed in my life over the last 12 months since having postpartum preeclampsia.
I do some non-profit consulting through my own business, as well as, run coaching + group fitness {hello, best spin playlist!! That’s me!}. I also am the Founder and Race Director of the 140 over 90 Run, benefitting the Preeclampsia Foundation.
Outside of work and passion projects, I volunteer with a variety of organizations and live for weekend adventures with my husband and daughter. We love to travel and be outdoors! We currently live in Reno, NV in a house in the mountains that looks like it belongs in a Hallmark movie {I wanted to keep my Christmas decorations up all year long, but I lost that fight}.
Pregnancy & Birth Before Postpartum Preeclampsia
Tell me about your pregnancy.
Outside of gestational diabetes (insulin-dependent) and tested positive for group B strep, I had a pretty easy pregnancy. We moved from Savannah, GA to Santa Cruz, CA at 5 months pregnant and I immediately jumped into working out with Fit4Mom and becoming an instructor. I also spent every morning walking down to the ocean and then eventually waddling every step down to the ocean for my morning 3-4 mile walk.
What was it like the day your baby was born?
My water broke and I was so excited to experience that, as weird as that may sound. I called Tim [my husband] to come back from work and we had to go to the hospital so I could get on IV antibiotics due to group B strep. We had our doula come up to the birthing center and set up the room (candles, our pictures, my mantras, etc) and I found out I wasn’t even dilated (2cm).
I was contracting but not progressing, so around 8 pm that night after nitrous oxide, I had an epidural and got some sleep. Around 6 am, it was showtime. I pushed for over 3 hours and Madison was here- our beautiful, pride, and joy! Tim got to help deliver her and it was amazing.
When did you know something was wrong?
I started feeling sick the day after we got home, day 4. I would get a wave of nausea, get chills, and a fever. It felt like a freight train was hitting me every time I would try and breastfed.
I was also starting to swell and feel the impending doom but thought it was just normal first-time mom stuff. Madison [my baby] then didn’t have a wet diaper for more than 24 hours, so I had to supplement (this should have been clue #1 my body was shutting down). I made an appointment with lactation and was there on day #5.
After an almost 2 hour appointment (with 30 minutes on the hospital grade pump and not producing more than 1/2 oz), I finally mentioned how I was feeling before my appointment was over and she said that was not normal and made me call the on-call OB right in front of her.
Tell me about what happened next.
The on-call said it was fine and to come by the next day for an appointment.
At the appointment, the next day and my blood pressure were high (138/90- the day I was discharged it was 108/70) and they gave me two antibiotics for a subclinical infection and I was told to come back if I didn’t feel better.
I made an appointment 3 days later (day 9)– I looked like I had swallowed a blimp. I weighed 5 lbs MORE than the day I gave birth. My BP was 130/90 and was told to get a blood pressure cuff if it “got high”. That was it. No instructions, no call-in numbers, nothing else to look for.
I found out weeks later that my after visit summary started “preeclampsia in the postpartum period”. I had postpartum preeclampsia and never knew it because the documentation was all electronic. We went to CVS, to my dismay- I just wanted to go home and sleep and got the cheapest cuff.
I took my blood pressure 3 hours later and it was 186/119 with a pulse of 58. I called the OB on call and was told I was taking it wrong and it was a new cuff.
So I called my friend whose husband is a doctor. He told me to go to the ER or call 911. We headed to the ER and my BP was 218/108 and a pulse of 52. The ER doc on call was so nonchalant about my headache, chest pain, etc that he said to give me Tylenol and send her home (to the nurse in front of me). So I asked to see an OB.
I was then admitted to the L&B floor for 4 days. I later found out that many women with that level of BP and an infection that is almost septic would require ICU, I was in an overflow room.
Tell me about your hospital stay when you were diagnosed with
postpartum preeclampsia.
I was put on the [magnesium] drip for 24 hours and numerous antibiotics plus BP meds to help stabilize. I put out about 16 lbs of fluid on the first day or so and I could finally walk without my ankles hurting from the swelling, so that was amazing. But I didn’t realize I was so close to a stroke, heart attack, or death.
Everyone seemed so nonchalant until I read the notes and reviewed them with my new doctor. My pulse was dropping in the ER, my BP going up, I was in hemolysis, my palettes were going up and up to fight the septic infection, I was not well.
I understand not wanting to scare someone, but I also believe in facts and figures.
Life After Postpartum Preeclampsia
How has your life changed since the postpartum preeclampsia diagnosis?
I left my 15+ year career as a Director of Development and Marketing in the non-profit sector due to the compounding effects. I needed to put my health first so I could be there for my daughter and Tim. The hardest and easiest decision I ever made.
But with that decision, came my passion project, the 140 over 90 Run, and enrolling in Duke’s Integrative Medical Health Coach program. Lemons to lemonade!
Did you know that postpartum preeclampsia could occur before it
happened to you?
Not a clue. Even when I was at the doctor’s at 9 days postpartum and she told me to get a blood pressure cuff she never said the words. Never told me what else to look for. Never provided the care. Had I listened to the on-call doctor that day when I called a few hours later, I have full faith I would not be here today.
Did you struggle with any emotions of failure/upset that it happened to you?
I am in therapy for PPA and PTSD. I had an immense fear of dying from a heart attack in the middle of the night and leaving my daughter and husband alone. So much anxiety that is was crippling to me to complete things that would be easier for me to do- which is hard for people on the outside to understand because I am always a glass half full- ya girl is doing great- type person.
I also have a fear and distrust of medical providers until we have a solid heart to heart and I fully trust them to listen and be aligned with me in my care. Now, I have a solid medical team of over 10 providers that provide an Integrative approach. I am so thankful I took charge of my care the way I did, that I am actually enrolled in Duke’s Integrative Medicine Health Coach program, and will sit for my boards next year, in hopes to help others work through their goals and a whole-body approach to their health.
How long did you suffer from the effects of postpartum preeclampsia?
Almost a year, I was on BP meds until 11 months PP. I had liver disease, kidney issues, high cholesterol, and was borderline type 2 diabetic and almost on meds. I also suffered a broken foot and nerve damage from that rapid swelling- I am still dealing with that now. BUT I am happy to say, that my lab work came back all clear at 12 months.
Everything was reversed everything through diet, exercise, and determination. I was eager to try anything and understood that I might have had to be on meds for the rest of my life, but I wanted to give it a go. I still have to have labs run every 6 months for the rest of my life and I am at a higher risk for some scary things, but I am here and fighting.
Describe your journey with postpartum preeclampsia in 3 words.
Unexpected. Life-altering. Fortunate.
What was it like knowing that you delivered a full-term baby who was
healthy, but you weren’t just days later?
Really hard. Comments like “be thankful you have a healthy girl” or the like, were hurtful. Of course, I was over the moon and so thankful, but I almost died and comments like that made me feel like I couldn’t feel the feelings surrounding that fact and the experience I had and will continue to have for the rest of my life now that I need monitoring every 6 months.
I am still working on this in therapy, but for example on my “day” (survivor day), we spent it celebrating being active and want to make sure in the future when she is old enough she knows this was nothing she did, and that we are celebrating that I am able to be with her and daddy.
How Victoria made Lemonade out of Lemons
What inspired you to start the 140 over 90 run?
I wanted to give back and use my skill set. It’s a quirky run but has huge advocacy and mission side, not enough people know about preeclampsia or postpartum preeclampsia and the long term health effects, cardiovascular in particular. And this is my way of weaving that into a healthy outlet while giving back to the Preeclampsia Foundation.
What is your goal with the 140 over 90 run?
To raise over $40,000 for the Preeclampsia Foundation to fund two grants (vision research grant- new and upcoming research and to help fund the Cuff Project- access to blood pressure cuffs) and to raise awareness around postpartum preeclampsia, advocacy, and maternal health.
77% of moms are not told of the lifetime effects- that is unacceptable. I want to have real conversations with providers, survivors, and the public on the care and how we can get better.
You’re really passionate about sharing your struggle with postpartum preeclampsia on social media, what pushed you to be so open with it?
I am always a glass-half-full person and always on the go or involved in the community. Always up for the task type of person.
I wanted to show others it’s ok to ask for help and I was not ok, and I struggled to ask for help until it became too much and my health with compounding, and I left my 15+ career in non-profit development.
With being so open, I have had over two dozen moms reach out to me that they started therapy or had preeclampsia symptoms and called their doctors (especially during COVID). This is not a pat on my back, but what we all can do when we share our stories, FAQs, and research to help maternal health.
What advice, from your experience with doctors, would you give to
current pregnant women when talking to their providers?
To listen to their bodies and have a blood pressure cuff and know how to take their blood pressure the correct way. Also, knowing what to do if you see high numbers, what are the other symptoms, who do you call, etc.
In your opinion, what should providers be doing differently to keep
women aware of the long-term effects of preeclampsia and postpartum preeclampsia?
The first step would actually be to talk to women about it. Have the conversation. There is direct research that survivors are more at risk for cardiac disease, why aren’t we told that? We may not be able to fully eliminate our risk, but damn- I want the information to do my best.
I also think providers need to know that they don’t have to have all the answers. That they can refer to other providers and you can have a well-rounded team. Do you need help with meal plans, get a dietician. Need help with goal setting and workouts, what about a health coach! One provider can’t be all– it’s ok to have a well-rounded team.
Why should someone care about preeclampsia or postpartum preeclampsia if they haven’t dealt with it themselves?
Great question! We were all born from a mama, however, that took place in your life. Preeclampsia is the #1 cause of maternal and infant illness and death. That is something to care about, even if it doesn’t directly affect you.
I loved having the opportunity to interview Victoria. She’s an inspiration! I admire her positive attitude. She made a horrible experience turn into a good thing that helps so many women.
Below are some helpful links if you want to learn more about postpartum preeclampsia, Victoria, and the 140 over 90 run.
Consulting Business/Health Coaching: www.victoriabuker.com
140 over 90 Run: www.140over90run.com
Covid Tips for Pregnant Women: https://www.preeclampsia.org/the-news/health-information/top-10-tips-for-telehealth
Signs and Symptoms: https://www.preeclampsia.org/signs-and-symptoms
Postpartum PE: https://www.preeclampsia.org/postpartum-preeclampsia
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If you are a preeclampsia survivor, postpartum preeclampsia, or HELLP syndrome survivor and would like to share your story, please contact me through email at courtney@knockonmotherhood.com. I would love to share your birth story and keep spreading awareness. I am trying to gather as many preeclampsia survivors’ birth stories as possible to spread awareness.
If you are a preemie mom, I would also love to share your story. Please contact me through email at courtney@knockonmotherhood.com.
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