This Saturday May 14, 2011, Dr. Hill will be participating in the Preeclampsia Foundation’s Promise Walk fundraiser. Dr. Hill will speak to her own experience as both a doctor treating preeclampsia and as a preeclampsia survivor herself.
“I had severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome with my first son at 29 weeks,” Dr. Hill said. “He was 3-and-a-half pounds at birth and spent 6 weeks in the NICU. Thankfully, I recovered, but the experience changed me forever. Without the access to the care I received, both my son and myself could have died. I am dedicated to educating pregnant women about this condition and treating them aggressively when it occurs. I hope that one day all women with preeclampsia and their babies will survive and be healthy.”
Each year, thousands of women and babies die or get very sick from this dangerous condition, a life-threatening disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Preeclampsia and related disorders such as HELLP syndrome and eclampsia are most often characterized by a rapid rise in blood pressure that can lead to seizure, stroke, multiple organ failure and death of the mother and/or baby.
The Preeclampsia Foundation is “an empowered community of patients and experts, with a diverse array of resources and support to help you have the best possible pregnancy or to help you navigate the questions you’ll have if you don’t.” They provide support and advocacy for the people whose lives have been or will be affected by the condition – mothers, babies, fathers and their families.“We are steadfast in our resolve to improve diagnosis, management and prevention of preeclampsia through research and improved health care practices,” the Foundation’s website states.
The Mommy Docs Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy and Birth will be sold at the walk for $12, with a portion of the proceeds to go to the Preeclampsia Foundation. Additionally, The Mommy Docs are making a $250 donation to the Foundation.
