**Influencer Madeleine White Shares Harrowing Birth Experience in Candid TikTok Video**
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In an honest and heartfelt TikTok video, influencer Madeleine White has opened up about her challenging experience during her first pregnancy, marked by complications such as gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and a placental abruption. The 30-year-old mother, who welcomed her daughter Juliette on June 1, shared her “traumatic” birth story in a social media post that has since resonated with many viewers.

Madeleine began her video with a disclaimer, warning viewers who may be sensitive to traumatic birthing experiences. In a relatable manner, she recounted the events leading up to her daughter’s arrival, emphasising that the labour process was far from the ideal experience she had anticipated for her first child.

Her ordeal commenced when she was diagnosed with gestational hypertension during her pregnancy. The influencer admitted to initially dismissing the warning signs of potential complications. After experiencing significant swelling at 31 weeks, several of her followers urged her to seek medical advice. Despite her initial scepticism, when she took her own blood pressure readings and noticed they were unusually high, she decided to contact her obstetrician.
However, after spending hours in a hospital where her concerns were shrugged off, she felt humiliated by the doctor’s dismissive attitude, who suggested she was overreacting. “I’m not going back there until I’m in labour,” she quipped, reflecting on her feelings of embarrassment during that visit. Her determination to avoid further humiliation was palpable as she shared this narrative.
A week later, Madeleine received a diagnosis of gestational hypertension, coupled with a follow-up test for preeclampsia. While awaiting results, she had a brief moment of reassurance, believing that the test would come back negative. Unfortunately, the onset of physical symptoms proved to tell a different story.
The day after attending a wedding, where she had enjoyed herself, Madeleine woke up feeling unwell. “I felt like I had a hangover,” she described, noting symptoms such as headaches and fatigue, which she attributed to a long day in the heat. However, as her condition worsened, she soon realised something was gravely wrong, leading to a frantic rush to the nearest hospital, which was not the designated facility for her delivery.
In her emotional retelling, she vividly recalled the unnerving experience of waiting in the hospital lobby while experiencing significant bleeding. This moment, she expressed, was one of the most distressing aspects of her labour journey. Yet, the medical staff’s initial message was that they believed there was time to manage her condition, even suggesting they might wait to induce labour.
However, as Madeleine’s situation escalated, the medical team discovered she was experiencing contractions without realising it. “You’re having contractions, and they’re like two minutes apart,” she recalled being told, adding to the sense of disbelief in her narrative. The situation escalated rapidly when she learned from her physician that the latest preeclampsia test had returned positive.
Amid the flurry of activity, she experienced a sudden surge of urgency. Just minutes before giving birth, she described a traumatic moment of realisation as she felt a significant gush, marking the onset of her labour. “I had her within 20 minutes,” she recounted, highlighting the swift nature of the event against the backdrop of her earlier fears and uncertainty.
The subsequent C-section posed a new set of fears, which Madeleine expressed candidly. Throughout this perilous experience, she described the support she received from nursing staff as invaluable, noting one nurse in particular who reassured her during the most anxious moments. The emotional weight of the situation was palpable, and she provided comfort to herself, drawing strength from the experiences of other mothers.
After nearly three days in the hospital, Madeleine was discharged, while her daughter Juliette remained in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for over three weeks. This time was incredibly challenging for her as a first-time mother, but she remained positive, expressing gratitude for her daughter’s eventual homecoming.
Reflecting on her experience, she concluded, “It definitely makes future pregnancies a little bit more complicated,” but proudly stated, “Still my favourite story to tell because it’s how my favourite little girl got here.” Madeleine’s openness about her birth journey serves to connect with many others who have faced similar challenges, providing a poignant reminder of the unpredictability and strength found within motherhood.
