May 31, 2023

Pregnant Woman Survives Cardiac Arrest and Delivers Healthy Baby, Highlighting the Importance of CPR

Cardiac arrest survivor Alexis Simon with her son, Dominic. (Photo courtesy of Hannah Rob Photography)

Alexis Simon, a dedicated special education teacher in the greater Pittsburgh area, experienced a life-altering event during a routine morning at school. As she sat at her desk, composing an email, her world suddenly went dark. When she regained consciousness, she found herself in a hospital bed, disoriented and filled with anxiety.

In her state of distress, Simon's immediate concern was the well-being of her unborn child. She anxiously asked the doctors, "Is my baby OK?" At 8 1/2 months pregnant, Simon had every reason to worry. However, to her immense relief, Dominic, her baby boy, was born healthy three days after she suffered a cardiac arrest in December.

Simon had no prior history of heart disease or any other health complications. Extensive tests conducted at the hospital revealed no apparent cause for her sudden collapse at Trafford Middle School. The incident left the medical professionals baffled, searching for answers.

"It was like someone just turned my switch off," recounted Simon, now 29, describing the abruptness of her unconsciousness.

Fortunately, Simon's collapse occurred when no students were present in the room. A colleague who witnessed the event quickly called for help, alerting the school nurse, Rhaeann Shepler. Shepler immediately rushed to Simon's aid, commencing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Aware of the gravity of the situation, she instructed another colleague to retrieve an automated external defibrillator (AED) from the nurse's office. Upon its arrival, Shepler utilized the device to revive Simon's heart.

Although Shepler had received CPR training and observed it being performed, this was her first time actually executing it herself. She recognized the severity of the circumstances, as survival rates for cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting are typically less than 10%.

"I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous," admitted Shepler. "It's a game changer when you know the person and you've worked with them."

By the time paramedics arrived, Simon had been successfully resuscitated. However, her memory of events prior to waking up in the emergency room, with her husband Dan by her side, remained a blur.

Following an initial examination at the nearest ER, doctors identified deficient potassium levels as the suspected cause of Simon's cardiac arrest. She was then transferred via helicopter to a hospital with a high-risk obstetrics unit. Over the course of about a week, she received continuous potassium treatments.

Currently, Simon is at home enjoying her maternity leave with her newborn. While she feels fine, her health is being closely monitored. She wears a wearable defibrillator and regularly visits multiple specialists, including a cardiologist, nephrologist, electrophysiologist, maternal-fetal medicine specialist, and hematologist.

"It's hard enough being a new mom, and then being a new mom with unknown health concerns," expressed Simon. "I never anticipated spending my entire maternity leave wearing a defibrillator and attending all these doctor appointments."

Despite weeks of fearing a recurrence, Simon now finds herself in a relatively peaceful state, confident that her cardiac arrest was an unexpected anomaly associated with her pregnancy.

"I try to focus on Dominic. He's the best thing to come from this," Simon declared, expressing her gratitude for her healthy baby boy. "We're just so grateful that he's OK. He's a miracle."

Simon fondly refers to Shepler as her guardian angel. For Shepler, the incident served as a powerful reminder of the importance of CPR for everyone.

"It just shows you that it can happen to anyone, anywhere," emphasized Shepler. "I'm immensely grateful for the outcome, and I only hope that this inspiring story motivates people to learn CPR, as it truly can make all the difference in saving a life.

Cardiac arrest can strike unexpectedly, without warning, and in the most unexpected places. Alexis Simon's experience serves as a stark reminder of this reality. It highlights the critical need for individuals to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to perform CPR, especially in situations where immediate medical assistance may not be readily available.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a lifesaving technique that involves chest compressions and rescue breaths to restore blood circulation and oxygen supply to the brain and other vital organs. It buys precious time until professional medical help arrives. The prompt initiation of CPR can significantly improve the chances of survival for someone experiencing cardiac arrest.

Rhaeann Shepler, the school nurse who came to Alexis Simon's rescue, had observed CPR being performed but had never performed it herself until that crucial moment. Despite her nervousness, Shepler's swift action and knowledge of CPR played a pivotal role in saving Simon's life and ensuring the safe delivery of her baby. Her heroic efforts highlight the importance of CPR training for everyone, especially those working in environments where emergencies can occur.

The American Heart Association and other organizations offer CPR training courses that teach individuals the necessary techniques and skills to respond effectively in emergencies. By acquiring this knowledge, people can become empowered to act as first responders and assist someone in need. Whether it's a colleague, a loved one, or a stranger, the ability to perform CPR can be the difference between life and death.

Alexis Simon's journey has undoubtedly been filled with challenges, from unexpected cardiac arrest to ongoing medical appointments and the need to wear a defibrillator. Yet, she remains resilient and grateful for the miraculous outcome—her healthy baby boy, Dominic. Her experience serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of medical interventions coupled with timely CPR.

As Alexis Simon continues her recovery and embraces motherhood, she hopes that her story will inspire others to learn CPR and be prepared to act in critical situations. She recognizes that the knowledge and skills acquired through CPR training have the potential to save lives, just as they did for her.

In a world where emergencies can strike at any moment, let us heed the lessons from Alexis Simon's journey. Let us prioritize CPR training, spreading awareness and empowering individuals to become everyday heroes capable of making a lifesaving difference. By doing so, we can create a community that stands ready to respond, ensuring that more stories of survival and miracles like Alexis and Dominic's become a reality.

Source: https://www.heart.org/en/news/2023/05/25/pregnant-teacher-survives-cardiac-arrest-delivers-healthy-baby Learn, Enjoy, and Save Life. Healthforce Training Center offers CPR Training and certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Advance Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS), CPR AED, Pediatric First Aid CPR AED, and First Aid CPR AED.