21 | Keyerrá - Subchorionic Hematoma, Emergency C-Section, Meconium Aspiration, Mental Health

In this episode of the podcast, host Victoria Gaba sits down with Keyerrá, a pharmacy technician and educator, to discuss her journey to motherhood as a Black, plus-size woman in rural Indiana. Keyerrá shares her raw experience navigating pregnancy, maternal healthcare disparities, and high-risk complications while balancing her career ambitions. Keyerrá’s journey began unexpectedly when she found out she was pregnant at age 28, initially fearing it would derail her plans to attend law school. Early in her first trimester, severe back pain was dismissed by her medical office as normal body changes. Soon after, heavy bleeding landed her in a rural emergency room where a provider misdiagnosed her with a miscarriage without performing an ultrasound. After seeking a second opinion at a specialized women’s hospital, she learned her cervix was closed and she actually had a subchorionic hematoma. Her primary OBGYN took accountability for the earlier oversight, establishing a trusted doctor-patient relationship with twice-weekly monitoring. Throughout her pregnancy, Keyerrá faced multiple complications, losing forty pounds from food aversions and experiencing a sudden blood pressure spike to 190/150 at 34 weeks. Thanks to a collaborative care team, chiropractors, therapists, and a comprehensive hospital birthing class, she felt supported through every step. At 39 weeks, her water broke with meconium-stained fluid, and doctors lost the fetal heartbeat. Her OBGYN acted quickly, performing an emergency C-section with a trusted anesthesiologist. After ten minutes of resuscitation, her son, Karan, was born facing meconium aspiration syndrome and a placental abruption. Despite an insensitive pediatrician questioning her ability to provide milk for her NICU baby, Keyerrá produced eight ounces of colostrum on day one with the help of a lactation consultant. Backed by her godparents during postpartum, she healed from surgery, breastfed for over two years, and prioritized her mental health. Keyerrá highlights that while motherhood reshaped her timeline, she still pursues her career and education goals, showing that women can thrive in both. **Support Kheron to win Toddler of the Year!!** *VOTE HERE* **until 8/20/2026!** **Resources Mentioned:** - Spinning Babies **Connect With Us:** - TikTok - Instagram - Facebook - YouTube If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe! Your support helps us reach more plus-size women and share the stories that matter. Medical Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider regarding your specific pregnancy and health needs.