In August 2024, Nikki Bahan Kusters was embracing the profound joys of new motherhood when an unexpected and severe pain in her mid-back dramatically altered her life. The 32-year-old mother initially dismissed the discomfort as a simple pulled muscle, taking over-the-counter pain relief and attempting to continue with her daily routine. However, within a mere 24 hours, the sensation escalated to what she described as 'excruciating' agony, prompting an urgent rush to the emergency department.
A Life-Saving Hospital Visit
Medical professionals delivered a chilling prognosis to Bahan Kusters upon her arrival at the hospital. They informed her that had she delayed seeking treatment any longer, she would likely have been dead within hours. This stark warning marked the beginning of a harrowing health battle that would leave lasting emotional scars. She has since chosen to share her exclusive story with the Daily Mail, aiming to issue a vital warning to other mothers about the dangers that can follow childbirth.
The Initial Symptoms Misinterpreted
'The first symptom I developed was what I thought was a pulled muscle in my mid-back near my rib cage,' Bahan Kusters explained. 'The pain wrapped around toward the front of my chest. It started suddenly when I bent down to pick my newborn up out of the bathtub, so at first I truly believed it was muscular. I took Tylenol and used a heating pad.'
She continued, 'By the next night, about 24 hours later, the pain became excruciating. I felt like I was drowning and couldn't breathe properly. It escalated quickly. The pain was so intense.' Reflecting on the severity, she added, 'Weeks later, my hematologist told me that if I had gone to sleep that night, I likely wouldn't have woken up.'
Diagnostic Challenges and Critical Discovery
Thankfully, her husband and mother insisted she go to the hospital, where doctors initially struggled to identify the cause of her distress. They conducted tests for kidney stones and gallbladder issues, all of which returned clear results. 'They were close to sending me home,' Bahan Kusters recalled, 'but one doctor noted that I was three weeks postpartum - a higher-risk period for blood clots - and wanted to run a D-Dimer blood test before discharging me.'
That decision proved to be life-saving. The test came back highly positive, leading to an urgent CT scan with contrast at 4 a.m. The scan revealed multiple blood clots in her right lung, accompanied by pneumonia and a pleural effusion. She was diagnosed with a postpartum pulmonary embolism, a condition where a blood clot travels to the lungs. These embolisms are often fatal and typically occur within the first four to six weeks after giving birth.
A Gruelling Recovery Process
Bahan Kusters was administered blood thinners and antibiotics and was discharged, but her health struggles were far from over. She had to administer daily blood thinner injections into her abdomen and undergo weekly blood tests to monitor her levels. Despite beginning treatment, her symptoms persisted and, in fact, worsened.
'I developed significant chest pain, could barely walk without needing to sit down, and my heart rate was consistently high - often in the 130s,' she shared. 'My body was clearly under a lot of stress. Even simple things like lying down were difficult - I slept sitting upright for six weeks.'
In addition to the constant physical pain, she was exhausted from the normal demands of caring for a newborn while grappling with the traumatic realisation that she had nearly died. 'It was incredibly frightening. I had never felt so close to something life-threatening before,' she explained. 'Pulmonary embolisms can be fatal, and that reality was hard to process. I also struggled with understanding why I survived when so many women don't. I consider myself very lucky to be a pulmonary embolism survivor.'
Ongoing Mental Health Challenges
Over a year after the terrifying incident, Bahan Kusters reports that she is doing 'much better' physically. However, mentally, she continues to struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 'I struggle with PTSD from the experience. I have ongoing anxiety about my health and sometimes relive the fear of not being able to breathe,' she admitted. 'I'm receiving professional support and improving, but it has definitely been a journey.'
Raising Awareness for Maternal Health
Bahan Kusters has been actively sharing her story on social media with the goal of 'raising awareness for other moms.' She expressed a poignant regret, stating, 'I wish I had been better informed about the risk of developing blood clots after having a baby.' Her advocacy highlights a critical gap in postnatal education and support within maternal healthcare.
In conclusion, she said she is 'incredibly grateful' to be alive. 'The experience completely changed my perspective on life. I cherish time with my three daughters and my family on a much deeper level and no longer take my health for granted,' she reflected. 'I'm far more intentional now about protecting my body and listening to it.' Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the hidden dangers that can accompany the postpartum period and the importance of heeding one's body's warning signs.
