Latest news with #PreeclampsiaFoundation
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Scientific Research Funding Available to Eliminate Pre-Term Deliveries from Preeclampsia
MELBOURNE, Fla., June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Preeclampsia Foundation is seeking Letters of Intent for the Peter Joseph Pappas Research Grants funding program, designed to accelerate preeclampsia research. The ultimate goal of this grant program is to drive research that will eliminate the delivery of pre-term babies as an intervention for severe preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Named for the infant son of preeclampsia survivor Lauren Pappas and her husband Clement, the program seeks to award multiple two-year grants in 2026 totaling up to $200,000. Eligible applicants should focus on the current research gaps identified through a 2020 preeclampsia workshop jointly sponsored by the Preeclampsia Foundation and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine. Examples of such proposals include but are not limited to understanding pathophysiological pathways and subtypes of preeclampsia, mechanisms for improved diagnosis or prediction, therapeutic interventions to halt, reverse, or prevent the placental and organ dysfunction associated with the condition, and supporting preconception and inter-conception health to improve perinatal outcomes. In addition to meeting the fund's research criteria, preference will be given to proposals that use or build upon data available through the Preeclampsia Registry® (self-reported, whole exome sequenced, and clinical data), or that will produce data or biological materials that can be added to the Registry. All criteria are outlined in the application instructions, available at The grant is named after the son of Lauren and Clement Pappas, who was delivered at 29-weeks due to severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. The program has funded almost a dozen studies, including innovative research into potential therapeutics, genetic markers, and the role of placental functioning in preeclampsia's development. "We lost our son Peter due to preeclampsia following a 29-week delivery," explained Lauren Pappas. "Since then, we have dedicated our lives to helping others avoid the same outcome by establishing the Peter Joseph Pappas Fund." "Thanks to generous contributions from family and friends, and our partnership with the Preeclampsia Foundation, we are making strides to reach our ultimate goal of eliminating pre-term births due to preeclampsia by 2050," added Clement Pappas. The Peter Joseph Pappas Research Grants program adds to the Preeclampsia Foundation's portfolio of research programs including the Vision Grant program for young investigators, and the Preeclampsia Registry, a dynamic database of research participants including preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome survivors, family members, and controls (unaffected individuals). Complete details can be found online at Letters of intent are due by Friday, August 15,2025 via email to PJPGrants@ About the Preeclampsia FoundationThe Preeclampsia Foundation is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2000 to improve the outcomes of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy by educating, supporting, and engaging the community, improving healthcare practices, and finding a cure. We envision a world where preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy no longer threaten the lives of mothers and babies. For more information, visit About the Peter Joseph Pappas Research Grant ProgramClement and Lauren Pappas of Philadelphia, PA, lost their firstborn child, Peter Joseph, after HELLP syndrome necessitated his early delivery. Their son, born at 29 weeks' gestation, spent a week in the neonatal intensive care unit before dying from a central line infection. The Pappas family, along with friends and family, have established this special fund with the Preeclampsia Foundation to advance research, with the overarching goal of eliminating pre-term births due to preeclampsia by 2050. Contact: Laney PoyeDirector of Communications and Engagement321.421.6957396714@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Preeclampsia Foundation
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Why the backlash to Meghan Markle sharing her postpartum health scare is so ominous
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex — arguably one of the most scrutinized women in the world — revealed last week on her new podcast 'Confessions of a Female Founder' that she suffered from a condition known as postpartum pre-eclampsia after giving birth to one of her children (though Meghan did not specify which one). After sharing her experience, waves of misinformation and disinformation quickly followed, spreading across social media and tabloids. Some questioned the legitimacy of her condition; others accused her of exaggeration or seeking attention. This backlash is not only harmful; it's dangerous. It undermines medical realities, discourages women from speaking up, and perpetuates a culture where maternal health is dismissed and politicized. Just last week, the Trump administration made cuts that gutted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Reproductive Health, which in part monitors data on maternal mortality. The dehumanization of women, and especially women of color, in these conversations reinforces a system that already fails to listen and protect. When lived experiences are met with doubt instead of empathy, lives are at risk. I developed postpartum pre-eclampsia six days after giving birth to my son — the same condition Meghan mentioned. To be clear, this is not the same as pre-eclampsia (pre-eclampsia develops when the baby is still in utero and comes with various other complications). It is imperative to distinguish the two because the context in which a woman is cared for within our medical system differs enormously during pregnancy and post-pregnancy. This distinction easily gets lost in the tabloid and social media noise. Postpartum pre-eclampsia is a very serious and sometimes fatal condition, characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine in the days or weeks after giving birth. It can lead to seizing, a stroke, blood clots, excess fluid in the lungs, organ failure, brain damage and death (this is when it progresses to eclampsia). A reported 75% of maternal deaths are connected to postpartum pre-eclampsia, making it an especially dangerous condition, according to the Preeclampsia Foundation, the nation's leading nonprofit on the issue. This is partly because the first postpartum checkup isn't until week six — the exact cutoff point before which data suggests a woman is still at risk of developing the condition. By that time, women have long been discharged, and the attention has shifted to the new baby. The condition can come on fast and often with little warning. When I was diagnosed, I had no prior history of high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity, nor was my son born via IVF — all of which are risk factors that data suggests might increase the likelihood of developing the condition. Due to massive gaps in the research, it's safe to assume any woman, regardless of her medical history, is at some risk. The night I was hospitalized, I noticed my ankles were swelling significantly. I developed a thundering headache and shortness of breath, so I asked my husband to take my blood pressure with a blood pressure cuff we happened to have lying around at home. The numbers were so alarming he thought maybe there was a mistake with the cuff — but he had me call my doctor, just in case. After leaving a message for the on-call doctor, I downplayed my husband's concern. Birth — the hard part, or so I thought — was over. I had a healthy baby boy to take care of. I left my phone to get a snack and returned to two missed calls and a voicemail from my OB-GYN telling me to return to labor and delivery immediately. When we arrived at the hospital, I still didn't feel too worried. So when the nurses started frantically hooking me up to a catheter and IVs, I was afraid and confused. Before anyone could tell me what was wrong with me, I was whisked away to a dark room as my headache worsened. At the time, I had no idea I was at risk of a lethal seizure or stroke. While in emergency treatment, I could not hold or breastfeed my new baby, and my husband was left alone to care for him while worrying about what was happening to me. It was then that we learned about postpartum pre-eclampsia for the first time. It was terrifying — not just for me, but also for my husband. I am so fortunate that not only did my husband believe my symptoms (and have a blood pressure cuff at home) but that my doctor believed me, too. I am a white woman who received swift and effective medical attention. Not everyone has that privilege or is as lucky. Gender bias and systemic issues, including the minimization of women's pain and dismissal of Black women's symptoms in particular, have led to many missed or delayed diagnoses. Black women are three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related causes, and five times more likely to die from postpartum cardiomyopathy, a possible symptom of the condition. By sharing that she suffered from postpartum pre-eclampsia, Meghan not only helps break the long-held silence around the condition, but also highlights how frequently women's health concerns are dismissed or minimized, especially surrounding birth. The skepticism she has received isn't just about celebrity gossip, it's a microcosm of how society often treats women's pain as an exaggeration. And when it's a Black woman speaking out? The disbelief comes faster. Meghan's willingness to speak publicly forces a critical conversation not just about postpartum health, but also about the cultural reflex to second-guess women when they say something feels wrong. This backlash also speaks to the growing broader and darker mistrust of the medical establishment — ironically, rooted in histories of neglect, racism and systemic inequality — that continues to leave so many, especially women of color, feeling unheard or unprotected. That's what makes the backlash to Meghan sharing her story particularly damaging; it threatens the progress toward a more inclusive and accountable medical system by discouraging others from speaking out. Because maternal mortality is rising in the U.S., we cannot afford to stay silent. Our stories matter. Our lives matter. Every woman deserves to know the risks, princess or not — and to be believed. This article was originally published on
Sky News
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Meghan reveals 'rare' and 'scary' medical condition after childbirth
The Duchess of Sussex has spoken about medical complications she suffered after giving birth. Meghan revealed she was diagnosed with postpartum pre-eclampsia, a condition similar to pre-eclampsia which affects women during pregnancy. In the first episode of a new podcast, Meghan described the condition as "so rare" and "so scary". "You're still trying to juggle all these things and the world doesn't know what is happening, quietly and in the quiet you are still trying to show up for people," she added. "You're still trying to show up, mostly for your children. But those things are huge medical scares." While Meghan spoke about suffering with postpartum pre-eclampsia, she did not reveal whether it happened after the birth of five-year-old son Archie or three-year-old daughter Lilibet. 2:48 Postpartum pre-eclampsia is a serious condition linked to high blood pressure which occurs most commonly within the first seven days of a birth, but can be a risk up to six weeks after delivery, according to the charity the Preeclampsia Foundation. The NHS says symptoms include severe headaches, vision problems, pain below the ribs, vomiting and sudden swelling of the feet, ankles, face and hands. Without immediate treatment, it can lead to serious complications including, in rare cases, convulsions, liver and blood clotting disorders and strokes. Meghan's podcast, Confessions Of A Female Founder, is the latest show she has produced since the release of her Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan and her new brand As Ever. She has promised the podcast will feature "girl talk" and advice on how to create "billion-dollar businesses". Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of dating platform Bumble, spoke to Meghan on her podcast about the impact of childbirth. The first episode was released on the same day Prince Harry appeared at the Royal Courts of Justice in London for the latest stage in his legal challenge over the level of security he is given when he is in the UK.
The Independent
08-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Duchess of Sussex reveals medical complications after childbirth on podcast
The Duchess of Sussex has said she suffered medical complications after childbirth, and had to cope with the 'world' not knowing. In the first episode of her new podcast, Confessions Of A Female Founder, Meghan said she had been diagnosed with post-partum pre-eclampsia following the birth of one of her children. The condition is similar to pre-eclampsia, which affects women during pregnancy – and involves high blood pressure, according to the Preeclampsia Foundation charity. Describing the condition, Meghan said: 'It's so rare. And its so scary.' 'You're still trying to juggle all these things and the world doesn't know what is happening, quietly and in the quiet you are still trying to show up for people,' she added. 'You're still trying to show up, mostly for your children. But those things are huge medical scares.' Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of dating platform Bumble and the first guest on Meghan's podcast, added: 'They're life or death, truly.' 'I remember after you delivered Archie and the whole world was waiting for his debut,' she added. 'I was just becoming a new mum and I was like, oh my god, how is this woman doing this. 'How is this woman putting on heels and going and debuting a child in this beautiful outfit in front of the entire world? 'I could barely face a doorbell delivery for takeout food. I was like, please don't look at me.' According to the NHS, symptoms for post-partum pre-eclampsia include severe headaches, vision problems, pain below the ribs, vomiting and sudden swelling of the feet, ankles, face and hands. Without immediate treatment, it can lead to serious complications including in rare cases, convulsions, liver and blood clotting disorders and strokes. The duchess also spoke on the podcast about coping with media attention after marrying into the royal family. 'There is going to be a point when you are going to have to decide if you are going to cower, if you are going to conquer, or if you are going to rise above it', she said. Ms Wolfe Herd added: 'What has happened to you is at such a magnitude that no one can understand. 'I stopped in an airport in Ireland and I walked to a newsstand and my jaw hit the flaw. You were the cover of every single magazine and newspaper in Ireland. 'And every single one said something different. You were the cover of every single one. I had this moment where I was like – what? 'I am in Ireland and she's back home in California with her kids, doing school drop-off, and she's the front page of every single one of these things. 'What are they talking about? There is no content. There is nothing to say.' 'I know', Meghan replied. Confessions Of A Female Founder is the latest in Meghan's flurry of output after her much-criticised Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan and her new brand As Ever. She has promised the series will feature 'girl talk' and advise on how to create 'billion-dollar businesses'. The first episode was released on the same day the Duke of Sussex appeared at the Royal Courts of Justice in London for the latest stage in his legal challenge over the level of security he is given when he is in the UK.
Sky News
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Meghan reveals 'huge medical scare' after childbirth
Why you can trust Sky News The Duchess of Sussex has spoken about medical complications she suffered after the birth of one of her children. Meghan revealed she was diagnosed with postpartum pre-eclampsia, a condition similar to pre-eclampsia which affects women during pregnancy. In the first episode of a new podcast, Meghan described the condition as "so rare" and "so scary". "You're still trying to juggle all these things and the world doesn't know what is happening, quietly and in the quiet you are still trying to show up for people," she added. "You're still trying to show up, mostly for your children. But those things are huge medical scares." While Meghan spoke about suffering with postpartum pre-eclampsia, she did not reveal whether it happened after the birth of five-year-old son Archie or three-year-old daughter Lilibet. 2:48 Postpartum pre-eclampsia is a serious condition linked to high blood pressure which occurs most commonly within the first seven days of a birth, but can be a risk up to six weeks after delivery, according to the charity the Preeclampsia Foundation. The NHS says symptoms include severe headaches, vision problems, pain below the ribs, vomiting and sudden swelling of the feet, ankles, face and hands. Without immediate treatment, it can lead to serious complications including, in rare cases, convulsions, liver and blood clotting disorders and strokes. Meghan's podcast, Confessions Of A Female Founder, is the latest show she has produced since the release of her Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan and her new brand As Ever. She has promised the podcast will feature "girl talk" and advice on how to create "billion-dollar businesses". Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of dating platform Bumble, spoke to Meghan on her podcast about the impact of childbirth. The first episode was released on the same day Prince Harry appeared at the Royal Courts of Justice in London for the latest stage in his legal challenge over the level of security he is given when he is in the UK.
