Black Maternal Health Week

Hey ladies,

     It’s Black Maternal Health Week!! This week brings up uncomfortable memories for me, but I hope to raise awareness, so let’s talk about it. I was induced at 41 weeks, with no prior complications throughout my pregnancy. Towards the end of my pregnancy, fear of the unknown started to settle in. I felt like I wasn’t as prepared as I thought I was. 

     Although I had a beautiful pregnancy, all of a sudden I developed pre-eclampsia and my son’s heart rate started to drop. I was seconds away from having an emergency c-section, but I found the strength to push one more time.  By the grace of God, I birthed M3 but didn’t get the opportunity to birth my placenta. The doctor was in a rush to get to the next delivery, rushed my process and pulled my placenta out once able to. Everything I researched in preparation for my baby went out the window once complications arose. At that point, I just wanted my baby and me to be OK! 

    My son was healthy and cleared to go home the next day, but my postpartum pre-eclampsia resulted in us having to stay. I couldn’t walk and was bedridden until my blood pressure was regulated. I finally was able to go home 3 days postpartum and everything was beautiful, crazy & normal when we got home. Or so I thought. 2 weeks postpartum, I suddenly woke up in the middle of the night to check on M3 when I felt something oozing out of me. Extremely confused, I stood up to discover I was hemorrhaging. 

     Can you imagine blood clots the size of large sweet potatoes & blood falling out of you? Our home looked like a crime scene. My mom came over and rushed me to the hospital while my husband stayed home with our newborn. I truly thank God for him, my mom and our support system, because it was so traumatic! I was diagnosed with retained placenta and had to undergo a procedure to remove the placenta that was left in my uterus. 

     By the grace of God, our lives were spared, and I healed well physically. Mentally my experience and complications took a toll on me, but eventually, I gained my confidence back and embraced my journey! Motherhood runs deep for me! It’s not something I take lightly! I say all this to say, advocate for yourself and give yourself grace!! I’m still learning, still becoming a better mother daily, and still giving myself grace 2 years later! 

     Motherhood is not for the weak! We are real-life superheroes! I truly thank God that I am also able to experience the beautiful side of Motherhood & all the craziness it brings. You all know what I say, ain’t no hood like Motherhood!