Ep.59: Amber's Story: Surviving Preeclampsia, HELLP Syndrome & Birth Trauma

Can We Talk About This?

#birthtraumaawareness

Amber Melissa Kennedy, a two-time preeclampsia survivor, opens up about her traumatic experiences with preeclampsia, HELLP Syndrome, and a rare epidural complication during childbirth. Amber shares about her pregnancies, labour and early postpartum experiences, including being sent home from the ER with severe preeclampsia. Amber reflects on that time with much anguish and speaks to the impact it had on her mental health, and shares about the fire in her to advocate for change. I also love that she wrote to her healthcare providers making them aware of the impact (good and bad) they had on her during her birth experience! Together we discuss the various current birth narratives that are harmful to women and hope for a better future for maternal healthcare everywhere.

It's important to know the signs for preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome as early detection can prevent the conditions from worsening.

For more information about HELLP syndrome and preeclampsia, please check out The Preeclampsia Foundation: https://www.preeclampsia.org/

If you have experienced birth trauma please consider seeking support with a perinatal therapist, or reaching out to organisations:

birthtrauma.org.au (Australia)

panda.org.au (Australia)

cope.org.au (Australia)

postpartum.net (International)

You can find Amber here: @daughtersoflucina