Pulmonary Embolism

[sonrisa]

Hello All....

I can't believe this happened to me, but 23 days after giving birth naturally at home (beautiful, non-complicated birth) I ended up in the ER with what I thought was shoulder pain had a CT scan done after hearing it could be a blood clot and fatal turned out to be a postpartum pulmonary embolism. 

Craziest thing that could have ever happened to me.  Scared me.  Has anyone ever heard of this, or had this happen to them, or know someone.  

TIA, Abigayle

[sonrisa]

Bump

[tinuviel_k]

How frightening! That must have been so scary for you. Is everything okay?

[sbgrace]

That's terrifying! I'm glad you're ok (you're ok, right-?)

I've rarely heard of that (and the case I knew of personally had a very bad outcome). I'm so glad you went in for the pain!

Does this change how they manage you in future post-partum periods?

[hedgehogs4]

As an ER nurse I know that during pregnancy and postparum women are more likely to get PEs.  Also, women who smoke, are obese, or on hormonal contraceptives.  So, rare but it does happen and it can be dangerous.  I don't think it should be any long term health effect, you will just be on blood thinners for a bit and you will have to get checked out for any unilateral calf pain, unexplained shortness of breath, pain with inspiration and get checked out.  Good luck to you and congrats on your homebirth!

- A