What symptoms did the new mom experience that led to her diagnosis?

The new mother experienced severe midback pain near her rib cage that wrapped around to the front, and felt like she was drowning when trying to lay flat.

What condition was diagnosed in the new mother?

The new mother was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, which involved multiple blood clots in her right lung, along with pneumonia and a pleural effusion.

How has the new mother's health been affected emotionally after the ordeal?

The new mother suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to the near-fatal ordeal and continues to work through the emotional scars with professional help.

Home / Health / New Mom Nearly Dies From Blood Clots

New Mom Nearly Dies From Blood Clots

24 Jan

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Summary

A new mother experienced severe pain initially thought to be a pulled muscle.
Doctors discovered multiple blood clots in her lung, causing a pulmonary embolism.
The near-fatal ordeal has led to PTSD, impacting her emotional well-being.

A new mother's life hung in the balance after a pain she believed was a pulled muscle escalated rapidly. Thirty-two-year-old Nikki Bahan sought hospital care when the pain became unbearable and affected her breathing. Initial tests ruled out common causes like kidney stones.

Given her recent postpartum status, doctors investigated further, uncovering multiple blood clots in Nikki's right lung, along with pneumonia and a pleural effusion. This resulted in a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, a condition where blood clots obstruct lung blood flow, which can be fatal.

Pregnancy inherently increases clotting risk, and in Nikki's case, a combination of postpartum changes, pneumonia, and potentially a prior COVID-19 infection created a dangerous scenario. The recovery was arduous, involving blood thinners and ongoing medical monitoring.