My journey through preeclampsia and how I help women now
The storm I didn’t see coming
Nineteen years ago, I stepped into motherhood for the first time—full of hope, trust in my body, and the quiet assumption that everything would unfold as nature intended. I was 26, considered healthy by conventional standards, and like many first-time mums, I believed pregnancy was something my body was simply built to handle.
I didn’t take prenatal vitamins. I maintained a high-sugar, low-nutrient diet, remained largely sedentary, and didn’t think much about my alcohol intake. Looking back, I realise how deeply unprepared I was—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. I had no idea that my lifestyle, combined with a lack of awareness and education, would soon collide with a life-threatening complication that nearly cost me everything.
But I was wrong.
What followed was a traumatic experience I had never anticipated: eclampsia—the most severe progression of preeclampsia, a condition I hadn’t even heard of at the time. That experience has shaped my entire approach to health, pregnancy, and the care I now offer to women. It’s why I do what I do—to help others avoid walking into pregnancy as unprepared as I once did.
The pregnancy that looked normal, until it wasn’t
Throughout most of my pregnancy, nothing seemed alarming. I had persistent headaches in the third trimester, but I dismissed them as a typical symptom of late pregnancy. There were no dramatic warning signs, at least not ones I knew to look for.
I went into labour at home and eventually headed to the hospital, even though I was only 3 cm dilated. That decision turned out to be life-saving. My labour was slow, my headaches worsened, and I was given painkillers that did nothing. Then, during a contraction, I had a seizure. I had developed full-blown eclampsia.
I was rushed into an emergency C-section. I spent two days in intensive care, separated from my newborn daughter, who was in the NICU. I was able to breastfeed—one of the only things that grounded me emotionally at the time—but those first days and weeks were physically draining and emotionally overwhelming.
What is preeclampsia, and why it matters
Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that affects up to 8% of pregnancies worldwide. It usually develops after 20 weeks of gestation and is characterised by:
High blood pressure (≥140/90 mm Hg)
Protein in the urine
Other signs such as persistent headaches, swelling (especially in the face and hands), vision changes, and upper abdominal pain
When left undiagnosed or untreated, preeclampsia can progress to eclampsia, which includes seizures and can be fatal for both mother and baby. It’s estimated that 70,000 maternal deaths and 500,000 infant deaths occur globally each year due to preeclampsia, and tragically, 60% of these are preventable with timely detection and care.
What makes preeclampsia especially dangerous is how easily its symptoms can be dismissed. Many of the signs—swelling, headaches, nausea—are common in normal pregnancies, so they often go unnoticed.
What is even less known—and far more underdiagnosed—is that preeclampsia can also develop after birth. Postpartum preeclampsia can emerge days or even weeks after delivery, often when routine care has already tapered off. The risks are just as serious, including seizures, stroke, and organ failure. Yet too many women leave hospital unaware this is even a possibility.
What I wish I had known
There’s so much I didn’t understand at the time:
That chronic headaches could be a warning sign
That swelling in my face and hands wasn’t just “normal” water retention
That feeling “off” without explanation was valid—and deserved attention
While preeclampsia might not be entirely preventable, there are many nutritional, lifestyle, and supplement-based strategies that can lessen its impact and support a healthier pregnancy. These include:
A whole-food, anti-inflammatory diet rich in magnesium, calcium, and potassium
Low-glycaemic eating to support blood sugar stability
Regular gentle movement, like walking or prenatal yoga
Taking high-quality prenatal supplements, including folate, magnesium, and omega-3s
Monitoring blood pressure and tracking physical changes throughout pregnancy
At the time, I had none of this knowledge. I assumed youth was enough to carry me through. But I now know: proactive care can save lives.
The emotional fallout
My physical recovery was one thing—but emotionally, I was in pieces.
My partner at the time offered little support. My parents had flown in from France but could only stay briefly. I was alone. My maternity leave happened in the heart of winter, and I found myself isolated, exhausted, and full of self-doubt.
I compared myself to other mums whose births seemed easier and more joyful. I didn’t know I was experiencing birth trauma. I didn’t know that flashbacks, grief, and anxiety were common after emergency deliveries and life-threatening complications.
Even now, 19 years later, my daughter’s birthday still stirs complex emotions: gratitude, fear, sorrow, and pride.
How I now support women differently: integrative care in action
That experience, along with a much smoother second birth ten years later, shaped my professional calling. Today, as a Nutritional Therapist specialising in preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum care, I work from an integrative care model—blending nutrition, lifestyle medicine, emotional support, and collaboration with medical professionals.
At the preconception stage
Preconception is the foundation of maternal and fetal health. I support women—and men (because yes, sperm quality affects placental development)—by:
Conducting nutrient status assessments (iron, folate, vitamin D, omega-3s)
Recommending bioavailable supplements tailored to fertility and hormonal balance
Creating blood sugar-balancing, anti-inflammatory meal plans
Addressing underlying conditions like PCOS or thyroid dysfunction
Supporting stress, sleep, and movement routines
Encouraging medical screenings for cardiovascular and metabolic health
During pregnancy
Pregnancy support goes beyond bump measurements. I help women feel empowered, nourished, and informed with:
Trimester-specific nutrition guidance for energy, development, and blood pressure
Electrolyte and hydration support to reduce swelling and pressure spikes
Supplement recommendations (magnesium, DHA, choline, calcium) based on individual needs
Education around preeclampsia signs and advocacy strategies
Stress reduction and nervous system regulation practices
Safe movement guidance (e.g., walking, mobility, yoga)
Connecting women to doulas, pelvic health physios, and perinatal therapists
In the postpartum period
The fourth trimester is one of the most overlooked, yet most vital periods of a woman’s life. My integrative approach supports women through:
Postnatal nutrient replenishment (iron, zinc, B12, vitamin D, omega-3s)
Warm, healing meals that support recovery and lactation
Mental and emotional support, especially around birth trauma, identity, and fatigue
Gradual return to movement, hormone balancing, and energy tracking
Education about long-term risks like cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance
Helping women rebuild confidence in their bodies after traumatic birth
Why integrative care matters
Too often, women are told to “wait and see,” or they’re discharged at six weeks postpartum with no support plan—no one asking about recovery, emotional wellbeing, or long-term risk.
Integrative care changes that.
By combining evidence-based nutrition, targeted supplementation, lifestyle tools, and compassionate guidance, we move from surviving to thriving. We reduce the risk of conditions like preeclampsia. We support recovery. And most importantly, we honour the mother, not just the baby.
This is the care I wish I’d had. And it’s the care I now offer.
Long-term health: the part we don’t talk about enough
One of the most critical and under-discussed aspects of preeclampsia is what happens after.
Women who experience it are at significantly higher risk of developing:
Chronic hypertension (4x higher)
Cardiovascular disease (2x higher)
Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
And yet, many women—myself included—are discharged from maternity care with no mention of these long-term risks. That is unacceptable. We need a model of ongoing, woman-centred care that reflects the full spectrum of maternal health—from conception to decades later.
Final thoughts: we need to start telling the whole truth
Motherhood doesn’t always begin with bliss. Sometimes, it begins with trauma, surgery, fear, and survival. But that doesn’t lessen its value—it deepens it.
To every first-time mum: prepare your body, know the signs, and don’t do it alone. Advocate for your health. Nourish yourself. Ask for help. Because you matter, too.
Survival shouldn’t be the baseline. You deserve to thrive.
