In an article for CNN, the star athlete Serena Williams opened up about complications she had giving birth to her baby girl, Alexis Olympia.
It has already been released that Serena had to be bedridden for 6 weeks following the birth, but what most didn't know was that she almost actually died immediately following the birth. Serena shares with CNN, "Before I knew it, Olympia was in my arms. It was the most amazing feeling I've ever experienced in my life. But what followed just 24 hours after giving birth were six days of uncertainty. It began with a pulmonary embolism, which is a condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs becomes blocked by a blood clot. Because of my medical history with this problem, I live in fear of this situation. So, when I fell short of breath, I didn't wait a second to alert the nurses."
After her daughter's heart rate dropping dramatically during birth, she had to have an emergency C-section. She suffered a pulmonary embolism and her terrible coughing resulted in her C-section wound popping open, requiring her to have to get another surgery. From there, she had multiple complications from blood clots in her lungs to a large hematoma. Serena also tells CNN, "I am so grateful I had access to such an incredible medical team of doctors and nurses at a hospital with state-of-the-art equipment. They knew exactly how to handle this complicated turn of events. If it weren't for their professional care, I wouldn't be here today."
We're so happy Serena and her baby are happy and healthy today. Check out these adorable pictures of them below.