Photo courtesy of Leslie Jordan
Leslie Jordan, 38, is speaking out about her difficult pregnancy in a February 3 interview.
She emphasized the importance of being educated about staying healthy before pregnancy, the risks of giving birth and being involved in your care.
Jordan began the interview by saying, “Watch out for diabetes. Look out for your blood pressure and hypertension. Those were things I learned at a young age. I never thought I would have to use the knowledge.”
She explained that she had every reason to think she would have a healthy pregnancy, and the mother was shocked to be diagnosed with preeclampsia.
“I was absolutely devastated,” Jordan said, “I had done everything I could to have the healthiest pregnancy. Even some of the dietary restrictions I followed. I added it to my diet. I was exercising. I was doing everything. So when I got the diagnosis, it was like, ‘What are you talking about?'”
“It was one of those things where I was told, ‘It does happen, and we don’t know why it happens, but we’re going to do everything to make sure the worst doesn’t happen.'”
Despite her 2018 delivery going successfully, she recalled that her health began declining. She admitted it might have been normal and that she just needed some rest, but her health took a severe spiral. Jordan became dangerously weak.
“I literally had to hold my neck. I just didn’t have the strength to hold my head up at all.” the woman recalled. “I started talking, and I could hear myself. I’m like, I don’t sound like this. My speech started slurring. It was really hard to formulate the words. The next thing I knew, the fire got so bad.” Jordan reportedly yelled at the doctors before blacking out, “I’m having a stroke!”
The series of strokes and medical complications that followed her pregnancy were so grave that doctors told her it was a “miracle” that she was still alive. Jordan learned that she had a compounding cardiovascular disease that increased her stroke risk.
Jordan then talked about her complex recovery process, which has gotten easier but isn’t easy.
“I don’t remember the first three years of my son’s life. I’m still trying to get to a place where I feel like myself. I know I’m not going to get back to where I was. I’m ok and have made peace with that, but I at least want to get back to feeling whole. I’ve gotten a lot of beautiful blessings out of this. I’ve grown as a person. I have been able to realize what’s important in life and not spend so much time on things that I just thought were important,” she expressed.
Following her experience, Jordan wanted to offer helpful advice to others. She spread a message about always being proactive about health checkups and tests and being gentle with yourself during recovery.
During the interview, she said, “Cardiovascular disease affects one in three women. I’m proud to support the American Heart Association for the Go Red Women movement. Their initiative is to end cardiovascular disease for all women. I want everyone to be proactive so they don’t end up a survivor like me.”
She listed some important exams to ask for, like blood work, sugar levels, BMI, and blood pressure.
“I got a second chance. I didn’t have to live. I just encourage everyone to know that if you’ve been in a situation where you could no longer be here, but you are here, focus on living. I have a purpose. There’s a reason I’m still here, and I feel my testimony is part of my purpose,” Jordan concluded.