For Tiara Berry, preeclampsia isn’t just a clinical term, it’s a dangerous and deeply personal diagnosis that has affected multiple generations of women in her family.
A lifelong St. Louis resident, Berry has faced preeclampsia with each of her five pregnancies. It wasn’t until after she delivered her first daughter in Texas that she even learned what it was. “I didn’t know anything about preeclampsia,” she said. “I was discharged, went to see my daughter in the NICU, and the nurses immediately saw something was wrong. My blood pressure was 220/190 and they rushed me to the ICU.”
Preeclampsia is a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to other organ systems, often the liver or kidneys. It typically develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy and, if left untreated, can lead to serious, even fatal, complications for both mother and baby.
After returning to St. Louis, Berry delivered the rest of her daughters at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – St. Louis. One of those deliveries kept her hospitalized for 30 days as doctors worked to stabilize her blood pressure. “At one point, my sister and I were literally in rooms next to each other, both of us being treated for preeclampsia.”
Berry’s connection to the condition runs even deeper. Years earlier, her mother suffered undiagnosed complications that Berry now understands were likely preeclampsia-related. Her mom eventually needed dialysis and later died of a heart attack and stroke. “It all started with something that they didn’t even give a name back then,” Berry said. “I had no idea preeclampsia could lead to heart and kidney problems. But now I know better.”
Much of that understanding came through her experience at the FIT Center (Focused Interdisciplinary Team) at St. Mary’s Hospital – St. Louis. The FIT Center is a comprehensive care coordination clinic designed to address long-term health risks for women who experience preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Patients receive personalized follow-up care, education, and support to reduce the risk of future cardiovascular complications.
Berry was referred to the FIT Center by her OB/GYN and met nurse practitioner Stephanie Shorey, which she said was a turning point in her journey. “Stephanie stayed on top of me, she’d email me about appointments, blood work, even just checking in. I’ve never had a provider care for me like that.”
While the visits were brief, they were impactful. “We hit everything we needed to talk about. She asked about my family history and built a care plan to make sure I’m around and healthy for my kids.”
Through the FIT Center, Berry learned the long-term risks of preeclampsia, including a significantly higher chance of developing chronic hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. The education and support helped her connect the dots between her own health, her mother’s story, and the future she wants for her daughters.
“I thought preeclampsia was just something that goes away after you have the baby. I didn’t know it could follow you for life,” she said. “But now I understand how important it is to stay on top of my health, my medications, and my blood pressure.”
Berry’s message to others is simple but urgent – take it seriously. “You might think you feel fine, but high blood pressure can fool you. Get a blood pressure cuff. Pay attention to headaches or vision changes. And listen to your doctors.”
Her story is one of resilience, education, and breaking generational cycles, all made possible by compassionate, coordinated care at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – St. Louis. “Thanks to the FIT Center, I’m not just surviving. I’m learning how to thrive,” she said.
