ADVOCATING FOR PROPER CARE THROUGHOUT PREGNANCY

Black women in the U.S. are up to three times more likely to develop preeclampsia during pregnancy and the postpartum period compared to other women. Preeclampsia is a leading factor for maternal health complications and preterm birth, making it especially important for advocates to work to improve the health care system and patient experience for moms and their families—which is why Sareena Mitchell shares her story.

Sareena had two high-risk pregnancies and preeclampsia, but the dynamics were very different for each. During her first pregnancy, her OB-GYN put her on a baby aspirin to try to get her blood pressure stabilized. “The next appointment that I went to my blood pressure was elevated there as well, and that OB said we may do something else at the next appointment—but by then it was too late,” Sareena says.

Soon after that appointment, she went into the ER because she was having pain in her left side. Doctors told her that her blood pressure was extremely high and that the pain she was feeling was her liver and kidneys being swollen. She was at risk for having a stroke. “I was given the option to have an emergency [Caesarean birth] or try to let my son stay in long enough to reach viability,” she recalls. Infants that are born very early are not considered to be viable until after 24 weeks gestation. Before that, their chance of survival is usually less than 50 percent. Since remaining pregnant would put her at greater risk for complications, Sareena delivered her son, Legend, at 22 weeks. He only lived for three days.

For Sareena’s next pregnancy, she decided to take charge and find an OB-GYN who was right for her. “My OB continued to make sure that I was able to make my own decisions for my health and my body,” she says. “I was able to let him know if I wanted to do something or did not want to do something, and he was able to explain to me the benefits of doing certain things. I was also able to check my blood pressure at home and I was given the numbers to look for and emergency numbers to call. I felt in charge and empowered, and I knew what to look for with myself.”

At 32 weeks, Sareena started showing signs of preeclampsia. Then at 34 weeks, she went to the hospital due to blurred vision and elevated blood pressure. She and her doctor decided it was best to deliver her son. After Eir was born, he was rushed to the local children’s hospital about two and a half hours away, where he had emergency surgery.

Sareena notes some differences between her two pregnancies—both physically and in terms of the support she received. Her blood pressure stabilized a lot faster in her second pregnancy, and she felt as though she was a part of her OB-GYN’s team. “We all worked together on making decisions for myself and my health,” she says. “I felt like when I went in to deliver my son at 34 weeks, I decided that this is what’s best for me and my body and my son.”

“When I had my first son at 22 weeks, I don’t think that I was given the opportunity to make a decision for myself or my body,” Sareena adds. “I just want other women to feel as if it’s okay for them to ask the needed questions. Don’t compare each pregnancy to the one prior to know that you can always rewrite your story.”

SHORT VERSION

ADVOCATING FOR PROPER CARE THROUGHOUT PREGNANCY

Preeclampsia is a leading factor for maternal health complications and preterm birth, making it especially important for advocates to work to improve the health care system and patient experience for moms and their families—which is why Sareena Mitchell shares her story.

Sareena had two high-risk pregnancies and preeclampsia. During her first pregnancy, her OB-GYN put her on a baby aspirin to try to get her blood pressure stabilized. “The next appointment that I went to my blood pressure was elevated there as well, and that OB said we may do something else at the next appointment—but by then it was too late,” Sareena says.

Soon after, she went into the ER because she was having pain in her left side. Doctors told her that her blood pressure was extremely high and that the pain she was feeling was her liver and kidneys being swollen. She was at risk for having a stroke. Sareena delivered her son, Legend, at 22 weeks. He only lived for three days.

For Sareena’s next pregnancy, she decided to take charge and find an OB-GYN who was right for her. “My OB continued to make sure that I was able to make my own decisions for my health and my body,” she says. “I was able to let him know if I wanted to do something or did not want to do something, and he was able to explain to me the benefits of doing certain things.”

At 32 weeks, Sareena started showing signs of preeclampsia. Then at 34 weeks, she went to the hospital due to blurred vision and elevated blood pressure. She and her doctor decided it was best to deliver her son, Eir.

Sareena notes a major difference between her two pregnancies: “I felt like when I went in to deliver my son at 34 weeks, I decided that this is what’s best for me and my body and my son. When I had my first son at 22 weeks, I don’t think that I was given the opportunity to make a decision for myself or my body.”

“I just want other women to feel as if it’s okay for them to ask the needed questions,” she adds. “Don’t compare each pregnancy to the one prior to know that you can always rewrite your story.”