Before my pregnancy, I’d never had any health issues. My husband, John, and I lived active lives and I kept this up after I got pregnant. I ran most days until 20 weeks when I switched to doing spin classes instead. That was my happy place. Work was busy, and I was feeling focused and excited to be a mother. I still can’t put my finger on exactly what it was that made me go to the doctor. I was rushing from meeting to meeting one day when I realised something wasn’t right.
I can still remember the poor young doctor’s hand shaking as she took my pulse. She was holding my wrist when she said, “Who’s your obstetrician? I’m going to call her.” I began to worry. “What’s going on? Is my baby okay?” I asked. She said my baby was fine but my resting heart rate was 185 – which is dangerously high – and I needed to go to the hospital.
When they put me on an ECG my heart rate appeared normal. Nobody quite knew what was wrong. I was a bit tired and a bit breathless, but at that point I was nearly 30 weeks pregnant and you’re supposed to be. I was told I’d need to be monitored weekly.
At my next appointment the following week, my heart was only operating at half its capacity. That’s when my obstetrician, Anne, began talking about an early caesarean. I was worried because she’d also told me that every week my baby remained inside was like a month on the outside. Fortunately at 32 weeks, my ultrasound was stable. Or so we thought.
This story is from the February 2021 edition of Australian Women’s Weekly NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2021 edition of Australian Women’s Weekly NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Spotlight on Vitamin D
Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D, but safe sun exposure is still essential.
Coming up roses
Driven by a renewed interest in the flower’s power, a rose renaissance is dawning.
'I was given a 5% chance of survival'
When Caroline Laner Breure was hit by a car in an horrific accident on a Spanish holiday with her boyfriend, her body and her dreams were shattered. Somehow she found the will to go on living.
Time to celebrate our mothers
Author Kathy Lette gives a heartfelt thank you to her magnificent mum, Val - a baker of fairy cakes with the patience of a saint.
"I am lucky to be here" ”
Since the day she walked onto the MasterChef Australia set back in 2009, Julie Goodwin has openly shared her life. But in writing a memoir, she had to examine the demons she'd battled privately... until now.
JAMIE OLIVER at your service
Returning to the set of MasterChef Australia to help steer a path through grief and spread happiness, the celebrity chef is also at a turning point - he opens up about failure, love, second chances and his endless reservoir of joie de vivre.
From one mum to another
Princess Catherine's public announcement struck a chord with mum-of-two Jane Gillard. She shares her story of parenting through cancer- and offers hope for the princess and mums navigating their own health journey while raising primary-aged kids.
The courage of Princess Catherine "You are„, not alone"
It was a rare personal address that she shouldn’t have had to make. But with conspiracy theories swirling and the slimmed-down “Firm” under fire, Princess Catherine silenced critics with searing courage and dignity.
THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE
When Tracy Hall fell for Max Tavita, she fell for a mirage. Max was a false identity created by a con man, and Tracy was the latest in a long line of women whose life savings hed stolen.
Amother's GIFT
In December last year, Australia’s first uterus transplant recipient, Kirsty Bryant, gave birth to Henry, a happy, healthy baby boy. The uterus that had made this little miracle possible had been donated by her mother, Michelle. Five months later, their first Mother’s Day since Henry’s birth feels especially precious.