Jasmine Turner instinctively knew something was wrong going into the third week after delivering a beautiful baby girl.
At home, she noticed swelling in her legs. She was told it was normal, but she monitored it along with her blood pressure, which at the time was also normal.
By the third week postpartum, she experienced an extreme headache that left her curled up in a ball.
“I never had a headache like that. I felt my body shutting down. I went from sitting in the back of the car completely talkative to being lethargic,” says Turner, an Emmy-award-winning anchor and reporter for 12 On Your Side.
Turner took her blood pressure, and it was 185/118, which constitutes an automatic blood pressure emergency. Her husband drove her to Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital where her reading climbed to 200/120.
“St. Mary’s responded quickly. They took it as serious as possible,” says Turner, who shared her story on social media.
Turner spent from Sunday to Wednesday in the hospital being treated for high blood pressure. “Had I not gone into the hospital when I did, I would have had a life-threatening stroke at home,” she said.
Preeclampsia is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. High blood pressure is the one constant component.
“Any blood pressure higher than 140/90—and you don’t have to have both numbers high—is considered dangerous,” says Mary Lynn Coble, M.D., of Virginia Physicians for Women.
Anywhere from three to eight percent of pregnancies may be complicated by preeclampsia. “Most of the time, we see it during pregnancy — usually late in the pregnancy — but it could be as early as 20 to 37 weeks. Sometimes we see it within six weeks after delivery. That’s not typical, but it’s also not rare,” says Dr. Coble.
Prenatal care at Virginia Physicians for Women includes regular blood pressure checks. “We would be concerned if their blood pressure was abnormal,” Dr. Coble says of patients. “Sometimes we send them to the hospital for observation to determine if they have a more severe case. Most milder cases are outpatient.”
A Long Journey to Motherhood
Turner’s road to motherhood was a lengthy journey.
“I struggled with fibroids and endometriosis for a while,” she says.
In 2022, she ended up in the emergency room at VCU Medical Center for a miscarriage. The attending physician recommended Jasmine not attempt to get pregnant again until she has had the appropriate surgery.
“It was the reality check I wasn’t expecting, but really needed,” she says.
Turner had surgery in 2023 to remove the fibroids and endometriosis and decided to take a year to focus on her health — she is an avid runner and indoor cyclist.
In May 2024, she suffered a second miscarriage. “It was devastating to have that loss after having the surgery,” she says. “I try not to question God, but I was becoming defeated. I dug even deeper into my faith. . . accepting that there was a plan for me that I didn’t understand. It was a hard time for my husband and me.”
Turner got pregnant again in August 2024 and now has a healthy baby girl, born in April 2025.
Reflecting on her journey, Turner believes that part of God’s plan “is to help somebody else” and that’s why she shares her story.
Know Your Blood Pressure Numbers
The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have just released a new high blood pressure guideline that emphasizes prevention and early treatment to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
That guideline includes pregnant women. High blood pressure before, during, and after pregnancy is important to monitor and treat quickly to reduce the risk of short- and long-term serious complications including preeclampsia.
Nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure (≥130/80 mm Hg), which is the number one preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke, and heart failure, as well as kidney disease, cognitive decline, and dementia.
The guideline advises earlier treatment that includes lifestyle modification and medications as appropriate, and recommends close blood pressure management before, during, and after pregnancy.
Angela Taylor, senior community impact director at the American Heart Association, knows firsthand about preeclampsia. She experienced the complication in a past pregnancy. Her preeclampsia was diagnosed before delivery and because of the condition, had to deliver early.
She stresses the importance of knowing your blood pressure numbers throughout pregnancy. “Heart disease is the number one killer of new moms,” she says. “Get your blood pressure checked regularly. Know what is concerning and when you should seek medical attention.”
There has been a 25% increase in preeclampsia, she adds. “It’s a very scary situation. Be aware of your body and monitor your blood pressure at home. Know what’s normal for you.”
Helping Provide Information
Turner is extremely grateful for her family and her support system. “I am very thankful to work at Channel 12 because they are very supportive of me as a person and a parent,” she says.
She hopes her life and experiences can show “how faithful God is,” she says. “Also, I hope my story can educate, but also help people know they are not alone in whatever they are going through. I am willing to talk to anyone who wants someone to talk to and listen to them.”
Turner’s courage to share her story through social media has prompted other moms to share their stories as well. After reading Turner’s posts, one mom texted her, “I would have brushed it off as new mom exhaustion if it had not been for your post, so thank you,” she said.
“That makes me feel good. If I only help one person by sharing this, then I have done my job,” Turner says.
According to the American Heart Association high blood pressure (including stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension) affects nearly half (46.7%) of all adults in the U.S. and is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and around the world. The blood pressure criteria remain the same as the 2017 guideline:
- normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg;
- elevated blood pressure is 120-129 mm Hg and <80 mm Hg;
- stage 1 hypertension is 130-139 mm Hg or 80-89 mm Hg; and
- stage 2 hypertension is ≥140 mm Hg or ≥90 mm Hg.
