Healing From a Broken Heart – Part II

---

Episode Sponsors:

Newborn Holiday Cards

---

Ergo Baby

Ergobaby Carriers are hip-healthy and ergonomically designed to cradle your baby in a natural sitting position. They evenly distribute their weight between your hips and shoulders from their early months up through the toddler years. Or look at their wraps made with soft, lightweight, supportive, breathable fabric with the perfect amount of softness and stretchiness.

The reversible stroller was developed with parents in mind as you can seamlessly rotate the stroller handle from back to front, alternating the direction your baby or toddler is facing. Or shop for all of your baby must-haves including nursing pillows, diaper bags, sleep sacks, swaddlers and more!

---

Healing From a Broken Heart – Part II

Episode 7

Meet our guest, Heidi House

Heidi House is an 8th grade English teacher. She and her husband, Brodie, live in Mattoon, Illinois and have been married for 8 years. Rueger, her adorable 3-year old son is her miracle and the light of her life. Heidi shares her devastating story that ultimately left her with a broken heart both physically and emotionally. Tune in to hear their story and how Heidi has risen beyond their devastation to not only save herself, but other mothers as well.  

Introduction

In our continued discussion, Heidi House and I discuss her amazing work with Save the Mommies and why she felt so compelled to become involved. We discuss how she brings awareness to preeclampsia and Peripartum Cardiomyopathy plus common symptoms woman should be aware of.

Heidi opens up about her grief after not only losing Emery, but also trying to wrap her head around the events that occurred. She remembers very little during the 10 days she spent in between the two hospitals. We discuss how their family honors Emery everyday and on holidays and the special ways Emery lets them know that she is there and watching over them.

Save the Mommies

Once Heidi and her heart became stronger, she started to look more into the diagnosis she was given of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy. How had she never heard of this during all of her prenatal appointments or in the books she read, yet it almost took her life.

As she learned more, she discovered the group, Save the Mommies. She knew that she needed to do something to bring more awareness and education to save other lives. She provides information and education during prenatal classes at her local hospital. Now, as the Illinois Representative for Save the Mommies, she speaks at national meetings and conferences to promote change and save lives.

Honoring Emery

Grief is tricky, because some days it just shows up like a tornado completely out of nowhere! But for Heidi, each year on Emery and Rueger’s birthday, she also mourns the loss of Emery. She has found ways to honor Emery, yet celebrate Rueger on their birthday. One year a butterfly launch and last year with balloons, Heidi and Brodie are surrounded by family and and friends each year to remember and honor Emery.

Heidi thinks of and talks to Emery everyday. Rueger knows he has a sister in heaven and their one shared picture together hangs above his bed. Heidi said it helps to comfort her knowing that Emery is watching over her. She wants to show Emery that her Mommy is a strong woman who is making a difference.

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

Part of Heidi’s education and awareness for Peripartum Cardiomyopathy is to educate women regarding the common symptoms. The symptoms for Peripartum Cardiomyopathy include shortness of breath, swelling, excess weight gain, irregular heartbeat, inability to lie down flat, a cough, weakness, chest pain, and/or an elevated blood pressure. We discussed how many women may brush their symptoms off because they are very similar to the discomforts of any pregnancy.

If you have any of these symptoms during your pregnancy, and even up to 6 months after, please discuss them with your provider. The Save the Mommies website also has some great information and resources. They developed a self test that will provide you with a score based on your symptoms.

Heidi’s physical and emotional recovery

With strength, determination, and a will to be with Rueger, Heidi fully recovered. She follows up with her cardiologist every year, and last year had a normal ejection fraction at 62%.

Emotionally and mentally, she is obviously still processing and working through so many emotions. She takes comfort in the little signs like a butterfly landing on Brodie during their walk on his first Father’s Day. And ironically, Rueger often has a butterfly around him while playing outside.

Rueger is now a happy and healthy 3 year old and does not appear to have any developmental delays due to his preterm delivery. He thrives at his daycare and enjoys time with his friends. Heidi said he is the perfect mixture of a Mama’s boy and Daddy’s boy, sweet and ornery. He loves to wrestle with his Dad, play ball, and monster trucks, but is very gentle and sweet with his Mama.

Closing

Heidi’s passion to honor Emery by bringing awareness amidst her grief is remarkable. She understands that by telling her story, as difficult as it is to relive it, will not only help women, but also save their lives.

Remember, if you are currently pregnant and are concerned with any symptoms or just have that gut feeling that something is not right, first and foremost, talk to your provider, but also, self-advocacy is so crucial!

We hope you have gained some valuable information for yourself or please consider sharing it with someone who would benefit from hearing the podcast episode. And thank you once again, Heidi House!

To learn more about Save the Mommies or to get in touch with Heidi House, email: brodieheidihouse@yahoo.com

Remember, once empowered with knowledge, you have the ability to change the course.