Brandi Collins

 Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Support Network

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My Name is Brandi.  I had my son in March, 2005.  At about 34 weeks, I went in for my regular check up.  My BP was 140/100.  I was admitted to the hospital that day, and told that I could probably go home the next day (as soon as my blood pressure went down)  I actually did not make it home for another 3 weeks.  My doctors had decided that I had preclampsia.  I was incredibly swollen and had a lot of fluid, but they assured me that that was a normal part of pregnancy.  My OB ended up inducing me at 35 weeks.  I was in labor for 10 hours, and pushed for two.  My son was finally delivered.  My husband and I didn’t even get to hold him; he was taken directly to the nursery.  I was put on an anti-seizure medication which made me feel horrible, but I spent the next two days in the hospital.

I was discharged from the hospital but my son remained in the nursery for his jaundice.  My husband and I left the hospital for a couple of hours for dinner and returned back.  I was allowed to stay as an overnight guest because I was trying to nurse my son.  Around 10:00 pm that night I could not breathe well.  I figured it was anxiety and dismissed it.  All of a sudden, I could not breathe unless I was sitting straight up.  My husband called in the nurse and it just got worse from there.  The nurse called my OB and he was on his way.  In the meantime, about 12 nurses tried to insert an IV into my arm.  I was so swollen from the fluid; they could not find a vein.  My OB made it and we were on our way to the ER.  They tried to lay me down to do a CT scan, and let me tell you that was the scariest part of all.  I was trying to tell these people that I couldn’t breathe and they were trying to lay me down to take a scan.  It was all I could do not to try and sit up while going through that machine. 

I was admitted into the ICU that same night, and given large amounts of Lasik.  I calmed down and slept that night sitting straight up in the bed.  I was too scared to lie down for the next week.  The nurse in the ER had the nerve to bring down a breast pump and tell me to keep pumping!!!!  I am all for moms that want to breastfeed, but needless to say I told her what she could do with that breast pump.  The cardiologist came in the next day when no one in my family was there, and explained what happened to me and that my heart was functioning at 20%.  He told me that I might need a heart transplant, and that I was finished being pregnant.  Of course I was hysterical.  I called the nurse in and she could see how upset I was.  I think she gave that Dr. a talking to, because a few hours later he came and apologized to me.  I was moved out of the ICU after two days; finally I could see and hold my baby.  Before I left the hospital my heart was functioning at 40%.  My doctors were pleased that I had progressed so much in such a short period of time.  I was taken off of all medication after 6 months of having the attack.  About nine months later, I had my tubes tied.  I never wanted just one child, so my husband and I are in the middle of the adoption process.  I am to see my cardiologist once a year now.  I have asked my cardiologist and OB to please let me know if any other women are afflicted with this disease, that I would be glad to speak to them.  I know how scary it can be, but I also know that it will get better.  I want pregnant women to know about this—not to scare them just to educate.