Sofia Richie details ‘terrifying’ part of pregnancy as she reveals she had contractions for six weeks before birth

Sofia Richie details 'terrifying' part of pregnancy as she reveals she had contractions for six weeks before birth

As a compassionate observer, I am deeply moved by Richie’s journey into motherhood. Her story is a testament to resilience and courage, as she navigated through the trials of childbirth and postpartum complications with grace and fortitude.


Sofia Richie shares insights into the anxious aspect of her pregnancy that left her feeling terrified, along with the reasons for her needing to stay in bed.

Richie, aged 26, together with her spouse, Elliot Grainge, who is also 30 years old, became parents for the first time in May by welcoming their baby daughter, Eloise Samantha Grainge. They mostly preferred to keep secretive most aspects of Richie’s pregnancy journey.

Currently, she is opening up about certain challenges she faced in a fresh podcast titled “She MD”. This podcast is jointly hosted by her personal OBGYN, Dr. Thais Aliabadi, and women’s advocate Mary Alice Haney.

At the beginning, Richie shared her enthusiasm for being on the podcast, expressing that it wasn’t often discussed how intricate issues related to pregnancy can arise, and sometimes persist post-delivery as well.

During her pregnancy, everything appeared to be progressing smoothly up until the 32nd week. At this point, however, things started to take a slight turn for the worse. (The Solid & Striped designer described that her pregnancy was going well until she reached 32 weeks, at which time complications arose.)

Sofia Richie details 'terrifying' part of pregnancy as she reveals she had contractions for six weeks before birth

Sofia Richie details 'terrifying' part of pregnancy as she reveals she had contractions for six weeks before birth

She recalled waking up and feeling really tired and cramp-y, with back pains. 

Richie casually considered it as something ordinary during pregnancy, yet chose to consult her physician about it, who she frequently texted. Fortunately, making that appointment proved to be a wise decision.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d advise: “I firmly believe it’s best for you to consult a fetal specialist for regular monitoring to ensure all is well. Don’t worry, this isn’t a major ordeal. After the checkup, you can return home with peace of mind.

She expressed relief when she mentioned it, as they connected her to the monitor and informed her, “You’re experiencing active labor,” at 32 weeks. This was something she disclosed later on.

She was then sent to Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles for extra monitoring and IV fluids.

‘So, what was meant to be a few hours actually ended up being a six-night stay,’ Richie shared.

Dr. Aliabadi, her OB-GYN, clarified that various circumstances, such as stress, infections, or injuries, could trigger premature labor.

Sometimes, however, it just happens randomly, without a cause.

Sofia Richie details 'terrifying' part of pregnancy as she reveals she had contractions for six weeks before birth
Sofia Richie details 'terrifying' part of pregnancy as she reveals she had contractions for six weeks before birth

Dr. Aliababi mentioned that should a patient experience premature labor, they strive to prevent it – and fortunately, this is exactly what happened with Richie.

David Yurman’s representative confessed that he was extremely scared,” he continued, “but shared that Dr. Aliabadi was incredibly soothing and supportive during this challenging period.

Following a six-day hospitalization, Richie returned home for continued bed rest, during which she was still experiencing contractions while under medical supervision.

Richie explained that from then on, it seemed like a situation where we had to be patient, as her doctor advised her to handle things day by day or even week by week.

Richie was able to make it full-term to 38 weeks, and said her delivery went smoothly.

‘She’s amazing, this girl does not complain, by the way,’ Dr. Aliabadi said about Richie.

‘Those six weeks she experienced were incredibly difficult, as she had regular contractions throughout. It must have been quite an ordeal for her, don’t you think?’

Richie confessed that her situation carried a strong emotional weight, yet she felt joyful once it had ended, and above all, her daughter remained in good health.

Sofia Richie details 'terrifying' part of pregnancy as she reveals she had contractions for six weeks before birth
Sofia Richie details 'terrifying' part of pregnancy as she reveals she had contractions for six weeks before birth

‘It was intense, I gave birth and I was like, wow, “I really did that,”‘ Richie described.

Six weeks, give or take, I navigated through contractions, and lo and behold, there she is – my radiant daughter. In this moment, I find myself in the best of health, ensconced in a protective bubble of safety. The same goes for her; she’s as healthy as a ray of sunshine, bathed in an unspoken shield of security.

However, unfortunately for Richie, the complications didn’t end there.

Upon returning home from the hospital following her two-day visit, she appeared significantly fuller or swollen, much like a balloon inflating.

Afterward, she returned home and found herself expanding, much like a balloon does, she confessed, implying that she had actually been feeling quite unwell.

Richie again texted her doctor, who she says was ‘on top if it,’ and sent over her nurse.

Following various tests, it was discovered that Richie’s blood pressure reading was 165/103, falling within the category of postpartum preeclampsia – a significant and potentially dangerous high blood pressure condition.

Some of the symptoms include headaches, swelling, and vision problems, per Yale Medicine. 

Sofia Richie details 'terrifying' part of pregnancy as she reveals she had contractions for six weeks before birth

In the end, the influencer found herself returning to the hospital for medical treatment, and she acknowledged that parting from her newly born baby girl was incredibly challenging.

Dr. Aliabadi clarified that preeclampsia may develop even beyond the 20-week mark in pregnancy and could persist for as long as six weeks following childbirth.

The doctor warned that if left unattended, this condition could potentially trigger seizures, which is extremely hazardous, and may even lead to stroke occurrences.

It’s great news that both Richie and her daughter Eloise are now in good health, and it appears she is relishing each part of being a mother.

In an August interview with The Wall Street Journal, she openly discussed the profound impact that parenthood has had on her.

She shared that she is highly structured and meticulous, with a strong preference for orderliness and tidiness, which was her description back then.

However, I’ve come to realize that I don’t necessarily need to maintain that attitude, for when one becomes a parent, such concerns tend to fade away. This experience has shown me that I possess a greater adaptability than I previously assumed.

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2024-10-15 18:09

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