Five days after Makayla was born, I was readmitted to the hospital with postpartum preeclampsia. Looking back, besides just feeling "off," my biggest symptom was extreme nausea. By the time I finally went to the hospital, my blood pressure had reached 226/118.

It was one of the scariest experiences of my life, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Unfortunately, since then, I've watched too many friends go through similar situations. There is still so much we don't know about why postpartum preeclampsia happens, which makes awareness and education so important.

If you're pregnant or recently gave birth, please know the warning signs:

• Vision changes
• Severe headaches
• Upper right abdominal pain
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rapid swelling, especially in the hands and face
• Blood pressure of 140/90 or higher

That's why I was excited to learn that the American Heart Association launched an initiative in Nashville that provides free blood pressure kits to high-risk pregnant women. Early awareness and monitoring can save lives.