Against the Odds

Kim Wright, Founder of Philly’s own Nothing Bundt Cakes, hasn’t let a challenge keep her from achieving her goals—including becoming a mom. But her first pregnancy was still a joyful surprise, as it was her first pregnancy after years of attempting to overcome infertility. Her anatomical condition, having two uteruses and two cervixes, had made some doctors think she wouldn’t be able to become pregnant.

But her excitement was soon tempered by the onset of preeclampsia, a dangerous condition characterized by high-blood pressure during pregnancy.

“It was a surprise to me because it was my first pregnancy. I think that anytime it’s your first, you’re just learning as you’re going,” Wright says.

Her son was born prematurely due to preeclampsia. But thanks to the consistent care she received, with her doctors checking in on her status throughout pregnancy, Wright felt confident in the health of her child and herself, as well as in having more children in the future.

Wright’s second pregnancy with twins was even more complex. Born extremely premature and weighing under four pounds each, the twins spent over a month in the NICU. But because Wright was attended to properly, and was able to take off work to attend to her children during that period, she doesn’t remember it as a traumatic experience.

“I gained a lot of respect for the NICU nurses,” she says. Her access to a multidisciplinary team was a critical factor in managing her twins’ care.

Wright’s journey through multiple high-risk pregnancies demonstrates the critical role of comprehensive maternal care. Her care shows that, in some cases, even severe complications such as preeclampsia and premature birth can be managed with the proper help.

“Like many health conditions, there are [preventative efforts] that can help improve outcomes for maternal health and for birthing people,” says Dr. Jay Greenspan, neonatologist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Preparing for pregnancy involves managing chronic health conditions like hypertension and maintaining good glucose levels, as well as taking folic acid. Unfortunately, only about 30 percent of women take folic acid, which can greatly reduce risk for certain birth defects-–pointing to the need for better preventative care.

The systemic gaps in maternal care are significant. In many cases, pregnant people receive help only as necessary, rather  than comprehensive maternal health.

“One of the challenges that we have in the United States is that many people don’t have a primary care provider,” Greenspan notes. This fragmented care model contrasts with the more integrated approach seen in Europe, where comprehensive care models address a wider range of health needs before and during pregnancy.

The effects of financial and work burdens should be understood as well.

“Stress and lifestyle factors can impact [pregnancy],” says Dr. Joseph Gobern, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Main Line Health. Many women face significant stress and economic burdens from extended hospital stays and balancing work and family responsibilities.

“I was very lucky in that sense,” says Wright, whose flexible work schedule allowed her to spend more time with her babies.

Because she knew her medical team, and what she needed for a successful birth, Wright was confident when she unexpectedly became pregnant with her last child, and even as she endured another pre-term birth. Now, all four of her sons are as healthy as if they weren’t born premature.

“I want people to see my boys and my family,” Wright says, “and know that there’s hope.”