I suffered from postpartum preeclampsia like Meghan Markle- it was the scariest time of my life and I thought I was going to die

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A mother who suffered from postpartum preeclampsia like Meghan Markle says it was 'the scariest time' of her life and she thought she was 'going to die'.

Tash Oduro, 37, from Wootton, Bedfordshire, and her husband of five years, Ekow, 41, a cybersecurity specialist, were 'thrilled' to find out they would become parents in September 2020.

The secondary teacher had 'no issues' during her pregnancy until a scan at 37 weeks, in June 2021, revealed she had 'extremely high blood pressure' and elevated protein levels in her urine.

Tash was told by doctors she had preeclampsia and was scheduled for an emergency c-section two days later, where it was revealed she had developed HELLP - a rare liver and blood clotting disorder - afterwards.

The pair welcomed their baby boy, Jesse, three, on June 9, 2021, but the same day, Tash was transferred to the ICU as her symptoms 'worsened' and tests confirmed 'severe' postpartum preeclampsia.

The new mother woke up with severe vision loss, had fluctuating blood pressure, and defective kidneys during her two weeks in the ICU.

The Duchess of Sussex revealed her experience with postpartum preeclampsia in the first episode of a new podcast, where she described the condition as 'so rare' and 'so scary'.

Tash said: 'I know how Meghan must have been feeling. As women, we are expected by society to go through pregnancy, despite what is thrown at us.

Tash Oduro, 37, from Wootton, Bedfordshire, who suffered from postpartum preeclampsia like Meghan Markle says it was 'the scariest time' of her life and she thought she was 'going to die'

'Preeclampsia was something I had never thought to worry about whilst pregnant.

'I have never heard of pre-eclampsia before, and my pregnancy went well.

'During my appointments, I mentioned a few issues with swelling, but I was told this was normal.

'Then suddenly my blood pressure was uncontrollable and other symptoms started developing. I thought I was going to die.'

Preeclampsia and postpartum preeclampsia are both serious conditions involving high blood pressure.

It occurs during pregnancy - usually after the 20th week - but postpartum preeclampsia develops after childbirth, most commonly within 48 hours.

Tash was diagnosed with the former after a growth scan detected her elevated blood pressure in June 2021.

She had no prior symptoms beforehand, except for some swelling on her feet, ankles, legs, and hands, but was 'told that this was normal' during pregnancy.

The mother welcomed her baby boy, Jesse, three, on June 9, 2021, but the same day, Tash was transferred to the ICU as her symptoms 'worsened' and tests confirmed 'severe' postpartum preeclampsia

The Duchess of Sussex revealed her experience with postpartum preeclampsia in the first episode of a new podcast, where she described the condition as 'so rare' and 'so scary'

'I thought everyone swells when they are pregnant,' she said.

'It wasn't something I'd expect could be early-onset preeclampsia or anything to worry about.'

Two days after her diagnosis, she was scheduled for an emergency C-section, as delivery is the only way to cure the pre-eclampsia.

Thankfully, son Jesse was born okay, on June 9, 2021, weighing 6lbs 12oz, despite being delivered three weeks early.

But the same day, Tash was transferred to the ICU for surveillance, as her preeclampsia symptoms never disappeared after the birth, which later developed into postpartum preeclampsia.

Tash said: 'My blood pressure was fluctuating every five minutes, and I still didn't know what was fully happening.

'I was monitored every day for two weeks, and my symptoms were initially life-threatening.

'The doctors were giving me pain relief and lots of fluids, as at this time my kidneys weren't working.'

Tash was diagnosed with the former after a growth scan detected her elevated blood pressure in June 2021

Tash Oduro with husband Ekow, a cybersecurity specialist, and children Jesse and Ella-Mae

While in the ICU, Tash was only able to see her baby on a 'handful' of occasions, and said she 'doesn't remember' the first few days of her baby's life as she was often 'in and out of sleep'

Tash no longer suffers from high blood pressure and has since given birth to her second child, Ella-Mae, two, in March 2023, with no signs of pre-eclampsia

During her recovery, Tash had suffered from proteinuria - an excess of protein in urine - which can cause heart disease and was given a blood transfusion, within the first 24 hours of delivery, to help improve kidney function.

She had also suffered from bilateral retinal detachment, a rare complication of preeclampsia which affects less than one per cent of cases and causes extreme vision loss.

'One morning, I woke up and I couldn't see a thing,' she recalled.

'It was like the whole world had gone a dark grey, and it was the most confusing thing. I was scared for my life.'

While in the ICU, Tash was only able to see her baby on a 'handful' of occasions, and said she 'doesn't remember' the first few days of her baby's life as she was often 'in and out of sleep'.

She remained in the hospital for two weeks and remained on medication to help manage her blood pressure for six months afterwards, which helped improve her symptoms.

Tash no longer suffers from high blood pressure and has since given birth to her second child, Ella-Mae, two, in March 2023, with no signs of pre-eclampsia.

'I was perfectly fit and healthy going into pregnancy and never thought I'd experience something like this,' she said.

'During my second pregnancy, I was often anxious because of my previous experience; the worry was always there.

'But, thankfully, everything turned out okay, and I am more aware.

'There isn't a lot of information about preeclampsia,' she added.

'But I'm hoping to spread awareness on the issue, as this is not something to ignore.'