For many expecting mothers, preeclampsia is an unfamiliar term until it becomes a life-threatening reality. In the obstetric emergency department, seconds matter. That is where OB hospitalists make the difference between tragedy and triumph.
A Personal Warning Turned Lifesaving Action
For Emmy Monroe, the signs weren’t lost on her. As a member of the Ob Hospitalist Group (OBHG) marketing team, Emmy had learned about maternal health complications like preeclampsia long before her own pregnancy.
When she experienced a sudden, sharp headache, she decided to check her blood pressure and immediately noticed something was off.
“I think a lot of women brush off these symptoms and signs because it’s just one of many unpleasant pregnancy symptoms that people go through,” Monroe said.
Instead of dismissing the warning signs, Emmy trusted her instincts. She rushed to the hospital, where clinicians quickly recognized preeclampsia and provided the care that saved both her and her baby.
Read Emmy’s full story here.
Check out her interview with Fox Carolina here.
Another Close Call
Emmy’s story is not unique. Earlier this year, Jasmine Turner, an award-winning news anchor in Virginia, experienced postpartum preeclampsia three weeks after delivering her baby by C-section.
When she developed a piercing headache, extreme fatigue, and swelling, she acted fast and went to the emergency room. Her blood pressure was dangerously high, putting her at risk for seizures, stroke, or even death.
Fortunately, clinicians immediately recognized the danger and began treatment.
“Truly, from the bottom of my heart, God bless the people that helped take care of me, and thank you—because everyone took my symptoms seriously,” Turner said.
Read Ms. Turner’s full story here.
Watch her interview with NBC news here.
A Growing Threat in Maternal Health
Preeclampsia is a serious and rising threat, affecting 5–7% of pregnancies and causing tens of thousands of maternal and fetal deaths each year. In the United States, cases have increased by 25%, with Black women facing a 60% higher risk and more severe complications than their White counterparts.
“In its severe form, it can affect all the major organs like the liver, kidneys, and the brain,” explained Dr. Coker. “It can cause brain damage. It can cause stroke or seizure.”
What’s often overlooked is that preeclampsia can develop after birth, from three days to six weeks postpartum.
“We need to listen to women, believe what they say, and then act on the things that they are telling us,” said Dr. Rankins. “It is a privilege to do what I do and I take it serious. Glad that I get to be here and do this really important work and live out this. This is my purpose.”
Why OB Hospitalists Matter
These stories are powerful reminders of why OB Hospitalist Group (OBHG) exists. Our OB hospitalists are there 24/7 for mothers like Emmy and Jasmine, turning knowledge into action and potential complications into safe outcomes.
“It is a privilege to do what I do and I take it serious. Glad that I get to be here and do this really important work and live out this. This is my purpose,” Dr. Rankins.
The OB hospitalist model ensures round-the-clock access to experienced obstetricians who can respond immediately to emergencies in the obstetric emergency department before a patient’s primary OB arrives. OBHG’s hospital-based OB/GYN clinicians collaborate with labor and delivery teams, ER staff, and specialists to deliver fast, expert care, especially in high-risk, time-sensitive cases like postpartum preeclampsia.
Interested in learning more about what it means to be an OB hospitalist?
Connect one-on-one with an OBHG clinician to hear their story and learn how you can make an impact in maternal health.