After the birth of PAX and SALO, EVA JINEK suffered from the symptoms of pre-eclampsia. The first time was the most dramatic, she tells the Heart Foundation’s magazine Vrouw & Hart. This makes her more likely to develop cardiovascular disease throughout her life. It is a rarity for women don’t still suffer from pre-eclampsia during childbirth. It happened to EVA JINEK (46) after the birth of both her son Pax (6) and her daughter Salo last year.
Eva talks about it in the magazine of the Heart Foundation, to warn women who have experienced the same thing. Women who have experienced pre-eclampsia have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. That is why Eva has been monitored at a high blood pressure clinic since the birth of her second child. ‘I now visit a specialized nurse once a year who measures my cholesterol and blood levels.’ She measures her blood pressure at home, takes medication and pays close attention to what she eats. ‘I cook healthily and use little salt.’ said Eva in Hart & Vrouw. She tells her story to make fellow sufferers aware of the importance of research into the phenomenon. ‘If women like me disappear from the picture, they may develop heart problems years later. And then it is either not recognized or you are too late.
She herself was completely overwhelmed by the severe consequences of pre-eclampsia, the medical term for pre-eclampsia. “Everything went well during the pregnancy, I felt fine, not even nauseous,” she tells the Heart Foundation. ‘Only my blood pressure went up a lot at the end.’ She only became ill for three days already the birth, when her son was already in his cradle, glowing with health. “I had a headache and I lay down for a while,” Eva remembers. ‘Once in bed I said to the maternity assistant: The sun is so bright today, terrible. I just couldn’t stand the light.’ The maternity assistant did not trust it and immediately called the doctor. “I had to go to the hospital immediately,” says Eva, who is very happy that her maternity assistant was so alert. ‘I didn’t realize I was so ill.’ Then the new family – mother, father and newborn son – spent three nights in the hospital.
Eva: ‘Unfortunately, I got sick again once I got home and was admitted for the second time. It took a while to get my blood pressure back under control. All in all it was quite intense.’
With the thought that it usually does not repeat itself with a second pregnancy, she finally dared to fulfill her and her husband’s wish for a second child. But even then, five years later, things went wrong and she became ill after giving birth. But now it quickly became clear to her what was wrong and she recovered faster. The doctors then immediately sent her to the high blood pressure clinic. It was already clear from the placenta during her first pregnancy that something was not quite right. ‘The cardiologist asked if I wanted to donate my placenta for research,’ Eva says in Vrouw & Hart. ‘It later turned out that the placenta showed that something was wrong with the way the vessels are constructed. This may indicate that the mother has an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. I don’t think it is yet entirely clear why one woman has this and another does not.’
The Heart of the Matter: Eva Jinek‘s Pre-Eclampsia Journey
Well, well, well—if it isn’t the glamorous Eva Jinek, turning heads not just with her journalism chops but also with a story that’s more intense than a soap opera on steroids! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it appears our dear Eva has been wrestling with more than just the ups and downs of parenting while managing her high-profile career. No, she’s not just signing book deals; she’s dodging the rather unpleasant symptoms of pre-eclampsia—and, oh boy, is she sharing the gory details.
From Joy to Distress
According to a recent feature in Vrouw & Hart, Eva’s first brush with pre-eclampsia occurred after the birth of her son, Pax. She paints a scene where everything seems hunky-dory during the pregnancy—great mood, glowing skin, probably binge-watching Netflix as any new mom would—but then BAM! Blood pressure spikes like it’s auditioning for a dramatic role in her life. Can we just take a moment to appreciate that? You’re in the post-birth bliss bubble, and suddenly you’re on a rollercoaster ride of health crises!
The Reality Check
And if you think that was all, fasten your seat belts because, surprise surprise! Pregnancies have a knack for some terrifying déjà vu. With the arrival of little Salo, it wasn’t just the baby blues she had to contend with; the pesky pre-eclampsia decided to make a cameo once again. What’s the deal? Apparently, pre-eclampsia isn’t just the “little troublemaker” at the party—it’s the one that can impact future heart health. Eva’s enlightening us that it leaves a heavy mark, increasing the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases later on.
She’s Not Just Sharing; She’s Advocating
Being the pro that she is, Eva Jinek isn’t just settling for her own sob story. No, she’s getting real so that her fellow women know what’s at stake. “If women like me disappear from the picture,” she warns, “they may develop heart problems years later.” Seriously, can we get a round of applause for her alertness? Because nothing screams “self-care” louder than regular visits to a high blood pressure clinic, and that’s what she has been doing since the birth of her second child. Eva’s health regime now includes monitoring cholesterol, dodging salt, and probably challenging Gordon Ramsay in the kitchen.
The Hospital Chronicles
And what of the drama that unfolded in the hospital? Well, the first time around, the maternity assistant deserves a medal. Imagine being in a daze and suddenly realizing you seem to resemble a deer caught in headlights. She saw Eva’s situation and was all, “Nope, we’re not playing this game. Get to the hospital, stat!” The kicker? Three nights in a hospital bed—which by the way, could double as a torture device in a horror film! And just when they thought the drama was over, Eva found herself readmitted, the ultimate plot twist that nobody wants!
The Bottom Line
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Fast forward five years, and smarter than ever, Eva was back on the baby train with her second pregnancy. Armed with her hospital saga and medical insight, she recognized the signs quicker than a cat on a hot tin roof this time. “Oh no, not again!” moments had her whisked to the high blood pressure clinic like she was royalty.
It became clear that something was amiss from the placenta; and no folks, that’s not a euphemism. When a cardiologist asked to donate her placenta for further research, it highlighted the importance of understanding how some women might have a higher risk of cardiovascular problems based on their obstetric history. As Eva herself puts it, it’s an enigma: “I don’t think it is yet entirely clear why one woman has this and another does not.”
Closing Thoughts
So there we have it! If Eva’s story teaches us anything, it’s that the journey through pregnancy can be fraught with unexpected twists and turns. Remember, ladies: your health deserves the spotlight even post-babies. Let’s keep those blood pressures in check, raise awareness, and make sure none of us end up being the next episode in this wild world of motherhood. Because even superheroes need their sidekicks to remind them to take a breather sometimes!
