Pregnancy
A Challenging Series of Miscarriages: Janelle’s Story
In 2011, I became pregnant with my fourth child and went in for what I thought would be a normal 8–12-week doctor’s visit, but instead they told me that I was having a miscarriage. This was confusing and devastating news that was challenging to process. I could not understand why I was having a miscarriage…
My Doctor Said I Was Fine, My Intuition Saved My Life: Chriselda’s Story
During my first pregnancy at 15 years old, I started to have intense burning and numbness on my left side groin and hip region that my OB/GYN stated was normal pregnancy pain. After giving birth, I followed up with my primary doctor and neurologist. All of my doctor’s visits concluded with no diagnosis. My second…
Looking Back With Gratitude: Marianne’s Story
In March of 2016, I was 28 years old and pregnant with my second child. Being nine weeks along, I had severe morning sickness, but other than that, everything seemed normal. One morning, I noticed a dull pain on my right side along my ribcage. I assumed I must have slept funny. As the day…
Seeking A Second Opinion Saved My Life: Kathleen’s Story
In 2016, life was normal. I was balancing a full-time desk job, motherhood, and the excitement of a second pregnancy. However, around 32 weeks into my pregnancy, things started to take a turn for the worse when I developed pain in my left hip. Worried, I went to the doctor, who, without fully examining me,…
Educate and Listen to Your Body: Tina’s Story
My two pregnancies were marked by dangerous blood clots – the first time when I was 23 weeks pregnant and the second time when I was 27 weeks pregnant. These were my first blood clots, which started in my leg as a deep vein thrombosis or DVT and moved from my ankle to my groin.…
My Only Symptom of DVT was Ankle Pain: Lora’s Story
In 2018, I welcomed my beautiful son into the world via Caesarean section. Everything was going well, except that I had ankle pain that radiated up my inner leg. I was told my ankle pain was due to the strain of pregnancy, and to continue to wear compression stockings. I did as I was instructed.…
When in Doubt, Check it Out: Melissa’s Story
Three years ago, I was starting a new school year with dozens of other school teachers in my district. About a week after going back to work, I noticed some changes in my health. I seemed more fatigued than usual, and I noticed my ankles were swollen. While walking my son around his new school…
Blood Clots Are Serious: Susan’s Story
During the third trimester of my fourth pregnancy, I began to have a burning sensation in my left leg when I stood on it. I felt silly for being worried about something that seemed so insignificant, but I eventually called the on-call obstetrician. He told me to take an over-the-counter pain medication, and to stay…
One More Test: Casey’s Story
It started as an ordinary Monday morning in June 2015. I arrived at work and swiped my badge to access the elevator corridor when I noticed a sign taped to the steel doors that read, “OUT OF SERVICE.” I knew the sign meant that I would be huffing up the stairs, even though I was…
The Most Terrifying Experience of My Life: Sue’s Story
I was 23 years old when I gave birth to my daughter in June 2010. During the last few months of my pregnancy, I sat and laid in bed a lot, because I suffered from sciatica, a condition in which compression of the spinal nerve causes pain in the lower back. Everything was normal with…
