Heart Stories - Miranda Marquez's PPCM Story - Family Picture

Heart Stories – Miranda Marquez

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Miranda Marquez knew something was wrong during her pregnancy but the medical staff did not pay attention to her symptoms. The lack of knowledge about peripartum cardiomyopathy, especially its resemblance to third trimester pregnancy symptoms, can cost mothers their lives. Here is Miranda’s story.

During the last trimester of my pregnancy, I noticed that something was not right. My body was overly swollen, I lost control of my bladder at night, was ALWAYS out of breath, and my heart was always beating hard and fast. Whenever I would notice these symptoms I would contact the on-call nurse because I didn’t think this was normal. The nurse, however, told me that these symptoms were normal, especially since I was having twins. No one paid attention to me when I would ask about the symptoms I was having.

The day before my C-section I had one last ultrasound to check the babies’ positions. After the ultrasound, I spoke with the doctor. The doctor was concerned about a potential blood clot in my leg. They wanted to run some tests so I stayed in triage for hours with different doctors and nurses passing through. The triage doctor made a point to keep telling me swelling was normal with twins.

Heart Stories - Miranda Carter's PPCM Story - Pregnant with twins

My results came back that I did not have a blood clot and I could go home. I was so swollen with one leg being more swollen than the other to the point where I could barely walk. The skin on my feet so tight, I felt like they would rip. Due to COVID-19, I had to attend my appointments alone, my husband could not be there with me. The medical staff wouldn’t listen to me so my only option was to go home and wait for tomorrow’s C-section.

The next morning I was preparing for my c-section. I was already a little stressed because we had to leave my 3-year-old daughter for a couple of days. The procedure was detailed by the doctor as I was prepped for the C-section. My husband came in after my spinal tap to find me shaking uncontrollably. I was freezing but they told me that was a side effect of the medication.

On June 2, 2020, in the middle of a pandemic, I gave birth to my beautiful twin boys via C-section. The boys were out in the first ten minutes and I wanted to be excited but I couldn’t because I didn’t feel right.

Heart Stories - Miranda Carter's PPCM Story - Miranda with twins
Miranda with her twins

After the C-section, while holding the babies, I felt like I was going to pass out. It turns out I had lost 2x the amount of blood that I should have during the procedure. A few hours passed and the nurses came in to help me use the restroom. As soon as I stood up I felt very dizzy and blood gushed out of me. The nurses seemed very concerned but they wouldn’t tell me much. I got two blood transfusions and the doctors said that I should feel better after those but I didn’t. My face was super pale and swollen.

After three days they sent us home from the hospital. Once home, I was completely out of it, still swollen, couldn’t walk plus I was taking medication for the C-section. The night of the 7th, I was trying to sleep but for some reason, I couldn’t catch my breath. I could hear a crackly sound in my chest/throat and I started freaking out which did not help with the breathing. I woke my husband up and told him I could not breathe and to call 911.

Heart Stories - Miranda Carter's PPCM Story - Miranda and her husband
Miranda and her husband

Paramedics came to our house and checked my vitals. My blood pressure was high, my heart rate was abnormal but they did not hear anything in my chest. Since I was breastfeeding two newborns the paramedics did not want me to leave them. They advised me to make a doctor’s appointment the next morning.

In the morning, June 8, 2020, I called the doctor’s office as soon as they opened. My doctor was out for the day but her nurse said my symptoms did not sound right and told me to go to the ER as soon as possible. I said goodbye to my family and, thinking the ER visit wouldn’t be so bad, only packed up a charger, laptop, and my purse.

When I checked in, the man who checked me in did not hear anything in my chest. Two hours passed as I waited. A woman with a broken wrist was called back before me as I struggled to breathe.

The doctor immediately heard fluid in my lungs and called for a chest X-ray and blood draw. As we were talking my heart rate raced up to 230 bpm. The doctor called a code and a bunch of nurses ran in and gave me a shot to calm my heart. After the shot, I drifted off to sleep only to be woken up by the cardiologist diagnosing me with peripartum cardiomyopathy – a pregnancy-induced heart failure.

I was admitted to the hospital for five days. Due to COVID-19, I was alone and without my family. I felt crazy in there.

Heart Stories - Miranda Carter's PPCM Story - Miranda's children
Miranda’s children

Before my C-section, I weighed 170 lbs. While in the ER I was 165lbs but after they gave me Lasix, that brought me down to 125lbs. I had 40lbs. of fluid on my body and everyone told me it was normal.

Over the next three months through a course of medication and a very strict diet, I have now recovered from peripartum cardiomyopathy with my heart function now at 64%, up from 20% at diagnosis. I am very grateful to be here with my husband and children. I am also so grateful for the ER doctor and the cardiologist that helped me and knew what they were doing. They didn’t ignore my symptoms, they listened because it was NOT NORMAL.

Miranda is a supporter of the PPCMFund.

Do you have a heart story? Share Your Heart Story on This Mommyโ€™s Heart.

354 thoughts on “Heart Stories – Miranda Marquez”

  2. Thank you for your story, mamas! We have to spread the word. Let’s keep our mommies safe and advocate for their health. The world turns on your heart beats.

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  3. Your beautiful children have a brave mother to share such a difficult story. This is how lives will be saved. Thank you!

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  350. Understanding COSC Validation and Its Importance in Watchmaking
    COSC Certification and its Stringent Standards
    COSC, or the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Agency, is the authorized Swiss testing agency that certifies the accuracy and accuracy of wristwatches. COSC accreditation is a symbol of excellent craftsmanship and reliability in timekeeping. Not all watch brands pursue COSC validation, such as Hublot, which instead sticks to its proprietary stringent criteria with mechanisms like the UNICO calibre, achieving equivalent accuracy.

    The Science of Precision Timekeeping
    The core mechanism of a mechanical timepiece involves the spring, which delivers energy as it loosens. This mechanism, however, can be vulnerable to environmental factors that may impact its accuracy. COSC-certified movements undergo demanding testingโ€”over 15 days in various circumstances (5 positions, 3 temperatures)โ€”to ensure their resilience and reliability. The tests evaluate:

    Typical daily rate accuracy between -4 and +6 seconds.
    Mean variation, highest variation levels, and effects of temperature changes.
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    For watch fans and connoisseurs, a COSC-validated watch isn’t just a item of tech but a demonstration to lasting excellence and accuracy. It signifies a watch that:

    Presents exceptional reliability and accuracy.
    Offers confidence of quality across the complete design of the timepiece.
    Is probable to retain its value more efficiently, making it a sound investment.
    Popular Chronometer Brands
    Several renowned manufacturers prioritize COSC validation for their watches, including Rolex, Omega, Breitling, and Longines, among others. Longines, for instance, provides collections like the Record and Spirit, which feature COSC-certified mechanisms equipped with cutting-edge materials like silicone equilibrium suspensions to boost durability and performance.

    Historical Context and the Development of Timepieces
    The concept of the chronometer dates back to the need for precise chronometry for navigational at sea, emphasized by John Harrison’s work in the eighteenth cent. Since the formal foundation of COSC in 1973, the accreditation has become a benchmark for judging the accuracy of high-end timepieces, sustaining a legacy of excellence in horology.

    Conclusion
    Owning a COSC-accredited watch is more than an visual selection; it’s a commitment to quality and precision. For those valuing precision above all, the COSC validation offers peace of thoughts, guaranteeing that each certified timepiece will function dependably under various conditions. Whether for personal contentment or as an investment, COSC-validated timepieces stand out in the world of horology, bearing on a legacy of meticulous timekeeping.

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