Serena Williams Speaks About Terrifying Complications She Faced After Giving Birth

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“I’ve broken down I don’t know how many times.” says Serena

Serena Williams has opened up about the harrowing complications she suffered during ― and after ― the birth of her daughter, Alexis Olympia. She revealed this and more in an interview for Vogue’s February issue.

Williams said that her pregnancy was relatively easy, but complications began when her daughter was born via C-section after Williams’ heart rate dropped.

The following day Doctors discovered she was having a pulmonary embolism (blockage that occurs in the lungs, usually due to blood clots). The CT scans showed blood clots in her lungs and she began treatment immediately.

It didn’t stop there.

Over the next few days, Williams was in surgery again, after one of her C-section scars popped open after she experienced coughing spells.

Doctors found a hematoma in her abdomen, and Serena had to return to the operating table for one more procedure to prevent clotting.

After all of that, Williams said she couldn’t get out of bed for 6 weeks. Once she began recovering, she said that she found out just how challenging motherhood can be.

“Sometimes I get really down and feel like, man, I can’t do this,” the 36-year-old told Vogue. “It’s that same negative attitude I have on the court sometimes. I guess that’s just who I am. No one talks about the low moments ―the pressure you feel, the incredible letdown every time you hear the baby cry.”

Serena added, “I’ve broken down I don’t know how many times. Or I’ll get angry about the crying, then sad about being angry, and then guilty, like, why do I feel so sad when I have a beautiful baby? The emotions are insane.” 

Some days, Williams admitted that she feels like throwing in the towel.

“To be honest, there’s something really attractive about the idea of moving to San Francisco and just being a mom,” she said. Williams’ husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, is based there, while she lives in Florida.

“But not yet,” she added. “Maybe this goes without saying, but it needs to be said in a powerful way: I absolutely want more Grand Slams.”

You can read the rest of the Vogue article which hits newsstands on Jan. 16.

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