Mom Feels Unwell 1 Day After Childbirth, Calling 911 Changes Everything
Emily Wheeler, who was 22 at the time, told Newsweek that she couldn't shake a feeling of "impending doom."
Just one day after welcoming her newborn home from the hospital, a Michigan mother named Emily Wheeler experienced unsettling health concerns. Despite her blood pressure being normal and no severe pain, Emily felt an overwhelming sense of impending doom, causing her to call emergency services. Upon paramedics' arrival, most of her vital signs were normal, save for a slightly elevated heart rate attributed to panic.
Emily was transported to the emergency room, where initial blood tests showed no cause for alarm, but elevated D-dimer levels prompted a CT scan. The scan revealed clots in her lungs, a potentially life-threatening condition known as pulmonary embolism. Emily was immediately administered IV blood thinners and transferred to the hospital where she gave birth.
Doctors advised her to take blood thinners for three to six months and seek a hematologist's advice for ongoing care and preventing future clot risks. She was discharged after three days. Now 25, Emily reported feeling mostly recovered and without lasting health issues. She emphasized the importance of seeking medical attention if one feels off, as any pregnant or postpartum woman can be at risk of blood clots, though it's not very common.
She urged other expectant mothers to prioritize their health and get checked if they feel anything amiss.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
