Caitline, 23 years old

“I’m Diagnosed with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy”

Just a few hours after giving birth to my children, my life was turned upside down. What should have been the happiest day of my life suddenly turned into a life-threatening emergency.

Very quickly, I began to feel extremely short of breath, weak, and confused… and everything happened so fast. The doctors discovered that my heart was barely pumping at all: my ejection fraction was less than 20%. I was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy, a rare condition that can affect women immediately after childbirth.

Within a few hours, I was placed on ECMO, a machine that takes over the work of the heart and lungs. I was placed in an induced coma, and while I was fighting for my life without even realizing it, the doctors debated whether to take me off the machine. They thought I might not come back.

But life had other plans. Against all odds, my heart starts beating on its own again. I wake up, weak but alive, and surrounded by love.

The road ahead is long and grueling. I have to relearn how to breathe, how to walk, and how to regain confidence in my body. Every small step forward is a victory. Thanks to treatment, an incredible medical team, and a lot of patience, my ejection fraction has risen to 45–50%.

A year later, it now ranges between 40 and 45%. Some might see this as a decline, but I see it as stability. My heart remains slightly dilated, but it’s holding up. And most importantly: I feel good.

I now live with my illness, not against it. I’ve learned to listen to my heart—in every sense of the word. I eat a salt-free diet, take care of my overall well-being, and savor every moment with my children.

Today, I’m moving forward with pride. I’m a student in a work-study bachelor’s program in Human Resources, pursuing a career change, all while raising my twins.

It’s sometimes a real challenge, but it’s also the most beautiful proof that life goes on and that it can become beautiful, full, and balanced again, even after the unthinkable.

I’m sharing my story today to raise awareness about this condition and to remind all women that it’s not “normal” to feel exhausted, short of breath, or overwhelmed after giving birth.

Listen to yourself, have the courage to speak up, and have the courage to seek help. It could save your life.

My heart led me to the brink of the abyss, but it also taught me gratitude, patience, and strength. Today, I choose life, step by step, to the rhythm of its beats.

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