Pregnancy is usually a healthy and normal part of a woman’s life. But this week I was reminded that isn’t always the case.
My patient, a 26 year old , G2P2 went in for a scheduled repeat C/S. During the surgery she went experienced flash pulmonary edema. She was diuresed and cardiology was consulted. She’d developed a cardiomyopathy with her pregnancy. Six weeks later she is on spironolactone and digoxin — with a follow up scheduled with cardiology in 2 weeks. She is feeling better, breathing easier and her peripheral edema has resolved. Her labs look great, so hopefully she will be back in perfect health soon…..but a good reminder to me that even a ‘normal’ pregnancy, can quickly turn into a life threatening emergency.