For most, the days following a birth are a blur of joy and exhaustion. But for Chicagoan Chelsea Cheveria, a celebratory moment turned into a fight for survival. Shortly after giving birth, Chelsea’s heart stopped. The culprit wasn’t a pre-existing heart condition, but a silent, fast-moving threat: a pulmonary embolism.
Chelsea’s story, recently featured in the Chicago Tribune, isn’t just a headline—it’s an important wake-up call. While her medical team was able to save her life, her experience highlights a danger many expectant mothers never hear about—the risk of blood clots during pregnancy.
The reality is that women are five times as likely to develop a dangerous blood clot during pregnancy. The risk doubles for women who undergo C-section delivery. This is because pregnancy puts immense pressure on your vascular system. While this often shows up as varicose veins—a common and sometimes painful reality for many expectant moms—it can also lead to more serious, hidden complications like DVT.
Why Pregnancy Changes Your Vascular Health
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)—blood clots that commonly develop in the legs—is a major cause of pulmonary embolism. Pregnancy and postpartum recovery significantly increase DVT risk. Those with existing vein disease face even greater risk, as vein conditions are a known factor in blood clot development.
Watch for the Silent Signs of DVT
During pregnancy and postpartum recovery, symptoms of a blood clot can be mistaken for general discomfort. In DVT, this can show as:
- Leg swelling, more commonly in one leg
- Pain, tenderness, or warmth in the affected leg
- Skin redness or discoloration
Recognize the Emergency
When a DVT breaks off from the vein and travels toward the lungs, it becomes a pulmonary embolism (PE). Call 911 or seek emergency care if you notice:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain that worsens while breathing or coughing
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Coughing up blood
The CDC identifies blood clots such as pulmonary embolism as one of the most common causes of pregnancy-related deaths.
Cheveria’s experience with PE emphasizes why pregnancy-related clot risk needs greater awareness and why symptoms should be taken seriously. Early detection of DVT and PE can significantly improve chances of survival.
Maternal Health Resources
- Read the Cheveria’s story in the Chicago Tribune.
- Deep Dive: Managing Varicose Veins During Pregnancy
- Take Action: Make a Vascular Screening Appointment online