Stephanie Arnold, Amniotic Fluid Embolism Survivor

Stephanie Arnold, Amniotic Fluid Embolism Survivor and the founder of AFEmom.org joins eHealth Radio and the Health News, Pregnancy & Female Health Information Channels.

Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Stephanie Arnold discuss the following:

• A big part of your story centers around overwhelming premonitions of doom you had during your pregnancy. Can you tell me more about the events leading up to the birth of your son?
• What happened the day you gave birth? Did your premonitions ring true?
• Can you explain what an Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) is? What should women do with that information?
• Because on your premonitions, you made sure to assemble a great medical team prior to the birth of your son. How did you approach the specialists you worked with? What kind of questions did you ask?
• Now that you’ve decided to share your story with the world and take on the role of a patient advocate. What are you hoping to accomplish from your efforts?

Duration: 19:20

Known for covering the story rather than being the news, Stephanie’s multi-talented 27 year television career generated her Emmy Nominations and a Telly-Award as she directed and produced numerous television series, reality shows, music videos and documentaries. Her personal life as wife and mother, on the other hand, recently took on a direction most broadcast media would love to produce, rather than star in it. Currently, in her “second” life, Stephanie’s entire world has changed, shifting gears from being behind the camera to being front and center.

Her headline?

Mom dies during childbirth and lives to tell about it, OH, and she predicted it would happen!

Stephanie was clinically dead for 37 seconds after giving birth to her second child Jacob.  She suffered a catastrophic amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) on May 2013.  Something so rare, most doctors have only read about it in their textbooks. Stephanie’s case is a raw look into wonders of human instinct and the human body. Not only did she survive such a rare occurrence, but surviving as well as she did months after and predicting what would happen, has led doctors to call her a true medical miracle.

Prior to her son’s birth, Stephanie was diagnosed with a complete placenta previa, which can cause serious complications during delivery.  Following this discovery, Stephanie experienced overwhelming premonitions of doom.  She told anyone who would listen to her anxiety and her intuitiveness, but was never taken seriously. She spoke to many doctors and specialists in hopes that someone would pay attention to her.  Unbeknownst to her, someone finally did and that doctor flagged her file and incorporated extra measures in the operating room at the time of delivery that ultimately saved her life.

With the gift of a second chance at life, Stephanie has devoted herself to making others aware of their own intuition. She encourages patients to become their own advocates when speaking to their health care professionals. She currently serves on the patient committee at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and has created a web site www.afemom.org as a resource for information and inspiration. “If you SENSE something, SAY something” is her message as she wants the world to know speaking up can ultimately save your life.

Stephanie is proud wife of Jonathan Arnold, PhD. economist, and loving mom to Adina, Jacob and stepdaughter Valentina.  She lives in Chicago.

Web Site: www.afemom.org
Facebook: facebook.com/afemom
Twitter: @afemom