Be your own advocate!

TBT to 11 years ago standing with my Sister in law. I had 2 weeks to go. She had 2 1/2 months.

When I was 20 weeks pregnant with my son I had a DVT, a Deep Vein Thrombosis. A blood clot in my leg. A very large blood clot.

I was walking between meetings with some colleagues and I told them I had to take a taxi because my leg hurt too much. They thought I was nuts.

I went to my doc that afternoon and she told me it was probably "just pregnancy pain". That night I couldn't sleep because of the pain. So I asked Dr. Google, and I self diagnosed a DVT.

I went back the next day and she still didn't think it was anything serious. I told her there was no way it was just "pregnancy pain" and that I was sure it was a blood clot. Because I was so adamant, she told me she would send me for an ultrasound "just to put my mind at ease."

I remember sitting in that ultrasound room and the technician came back and said "Do you have anyone here with you?" I told her I didn't. And she said "Well you need to get to the hospital now." I was admitted immediately.

My doctor made a mistake. My blood clot was extremely large and if not treated it could have been deadly. I was admitted to the hospital and my 20 week affair with needles began. (My husband had to give me daily blood thinner medication by a needle.... and I HATE needles. 🙈)

I trusted my intuition and I wouldn't leave the office until she sent me for an ultrasound. I was not one to question what a doctor has to say, but I did that day.

DVT's are not common, but they are 10 times more likely to happen during pregnancy. I knew nothing about them. We had recently been on a long car trip to visit family and a few days later I knew something wasn't right. I had intense pain and some swelling in my left leg.

If you think that something's not right... if your intuition is telling you something.... go with your gut.

Fight for what you believe. Don't let someone - even if it is a doctor - tell you it's nothing.

Ask the questions. Demand answers. If you don't think you are being treated fairly, find another medical professional.

Be your own advocate.
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Because if you won't, who will?