Tori Bowie, eclampsia and pregnancy complications

[Jilly_in_VA]

Tori Bowie was a world champion sprinter and three-time Olympic medalist. The 32-year-old was also about to be a mother and died recently due to complications during childbirth. Officials have cited respiratory distress and eclampsia as potential complications.

If "eclampsia" sounds familiar, that's because you might be thinking about "preeclampsia," which is what precipitates eclampsia. These conditions are possibly deadly for mother and baby in extreme cases.

Preeclampsia refers to "a sudden spike in blood pressure," according to the National Institutes of Health. Eclampsia, the more severe version, may lead to seizures or put someone in a coma. Preeclampsia usually starts after 20 weeks of pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Millennials and Gen Z in particular should be paying attention: These generations, according to a recent study, are more than twice as likely to develop hypertensive disorders such as preeclampsia compared to people born in the 1950s.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2023/06/14/preeclampsia-eclampsia-pregnancy-complications/70318043007/

For those of you who STiLL have questions.

[EYESORE 9001]

1. I am woefully behind in the news. This may be the first I've heard about this tragic loss

Turns out, the article you posted raised a question about differences between generations in developing hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. I found this:

And Minhas said part of the differences between generations are due to an overall decline in health markers over the years. People aren't as active as they have been in the past, and diets are worsening compared with 40 or 50 years ago, she said. Obesity has increased nationally, as well as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2022/08/31/millennials-gen-z-pregnancy-hypertension-preeclampsia/7939842001/

As expected, diet and exercise are cited.

[Jilly_in_VA]

2. Of course

that doesn't apply to Tori, but she was Black, so there's that.

[EYESORE 9001]

3. Yes, I'm aware of higher rates among women of color

The generational differences were new to me, although I suspected as much already.

[Hortensis]

5. I hadn't heard about the generational differences either.

Black women already had two known special risks -- increased biological risk due to race and increased social risk from inadequate care due to race.

I haven't seen mention so far of any OB care.

[Boomerproud]

4. My SIL had pre-eclampsia and my nephew was delivered 11 weeks early.

She had 3 seizures on the operating table and barely survived. My nephew has been blind since birth and is on the autism spectrum but thanks to family and friends he is living his best life. Do I get emotional when I watch fireworks or see an incredible sight-yes.