Thank you for your support! We are looking forward to walking in support of heart health - in particular women's heart health and bringing more awareness to pregnancy-related heart conditions. Melanie is a survivor of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) - a form of heart failure related to pregnancy. They say it's rare, but her story is similar to many other women who had symptoms that were missed or misdiagnosed, even when we tried to speak up. 

Melanie's Story: In 2023, I went in as a seemingly healthy pregnant mom for a scheduled induction to give me birth to my first child. 48 hours later, that turned into a C-section, which led to hemorhagging. Luckily, I had a healthy baby boy, but a few days later, I was discharged after the "regular 4-day stay" - even though I was feeling horrible and many symptoms that I know now are signs of PPCM, like a worsening cough, shortness of breath, a racing heart, and a crackle in my lungs. After only one night at home and struggling to even walk a few steps, I was re-admitted to the hospital - I had fluid in my lungs, needed 2 bags of blood and was put on oxygen. Initially they thought I might have phnemonia, but after a BNP test that night and echo the next morning, I was diagnosed with PPCM and spent the next 7 nights in the hospital away from the newborn child. 

I know I am one of the lucky ones - lucky that I had a healthy, thriving child; and lucky that over 2 years later, I am mostly recovered, on a low dose of meds, and slowly getting back to a "new normal" life. A life focused on being as healthy as I can be - because keeping my heart healthy so I can be here for my son and family as long as I can is my #1 priority in life. 

My hope is to bring awareness to other women to know the signs of heart stress and to listen to their bodies; but to also advocate for better preventative care and BNP testing during pregnancy. 

Thank you for your support! 

-Melanie & her team