Charla Martinez

Featured, Survivor

I’m 23 years old and I am a postpartum sepsis survivor. (Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth) I was a first time mom and had a healthy pregnancy throughout, although I did find out mid pregnancy that I had strep B. (Sepsis and Group B Streptococcus) My former OBGYN let me know some women just have it in their body and it could be treated with antibiotics so I didn’t think much of it.

I ended up switching providers and they never really followed up with it. Right before going in to get my c-section, I got tested for COVID, to later be told, in maternity, it came back positive. I had no symptoms at the time and was sent home with my baby, with no clear instructions on what to do. I began having severe anxiety attacks at night, and sleep deprivation. I stayed up over two days, I had frequent urination and an altered state of mind. I thought my body was dying and I woke up in hell, I locked myself in my room and went into a catatonic state.

I was taken to the emergency room with a fever of 104, I also had chills and was going in and out of consciousness, I was told I had sepsis, and had probably had it since giving birth due to the UTI and strep B. (Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections) It was a mental battle for me, I had another mental episode shortly after and was diagnosed with postpartum psychosis. I spent my son’s first month and a half in and out of the hospital and in a behavioral center. Through many many prayers, rest, family support and still on going therapy, I recovered. My son is a beautiful and healthy six months and through God’s grace I haven’t had an episode since.

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