A condition called preeclampsia may be the reason why Kenya Moore gained 17 pounds of pregnancy weight in one week. The extra weight, likely brought on by severe swelling and water retention, high blood pressure and extra protein in her urine, might cause her to give birth sooner than her due date.
The 47-year-old Real Housewives of Atlanta alum and former Miss USA is expecting her first child with husband, Marc Daly next month. She took to Instagram to post a picture of her swollen feet. “This is NOT normal!” Moore writes in the post.
Moore said she had undergone tests and the results came back as possible preeclampsia. The condition typically develops suddenly in women who previously had normal blood pressure after the 20-week pregnancy mark, according to the Mayo Clinic. In addition to sudden weight gain and swelling, preeclampsia symptoms could include severe headaches, shortness of breath, nausea, upper abdominal pain, blurred vision, impaired liver and kidney function and decreased urine output.
Left untreated, preeclampsia can be fatal, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The best form of treatment for preeclampsia is an early delivery, which Moore said on the Instagram post she is considering. “I took more tests,” she said. “Baby is fine but if they come back higher #babydaly will have to come same day.”
“Staying positive,” Moore added. “To my pregnant sisters please go to your visits and tell the doctor of any drastic changes. Thank God I have great doctors.”
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A week ago, Kenya and Marc had a majestic fairytale-themed baby shower, according to PEOPLE.
Among those attending were Atlanta Housewives Cynthia Bailey, Kandi Burruss and Porsha Williams; RHOA friends Shamea Morton, Carmon Cambrice, Miss Lawrence and Brandon Deshazer; Real Housewives of Potomac‘s Gizelle Bryant; and Married to Medicine‘s Dr. Heavenly Kimes and Toya Bush-Harris, PEOPLE reported.
“Words cannot express the joy and happiness I feel in my heart,” Moore wrote on Instagram on Sunday. “So overwhelming to have a room of people who came to celebrate the impending life of #babydaly.”
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But Moore chose not to return to the series, a disappointment for RHOA fans who have rooted her on and were hoping to continue following her journey. On the show, Moore often spoke about her desire to be a mom.
“I’ve waited 47 years for this moment,” Moore, who conceived through in vitro fertilization, told PEOPLE at the time. “I didn’t really want to announce it too soon because I feel it’s very early on in our pregnancy. But I have suffered so much in my life when it comes to wanting a family around me. So this is the day I’ve been waiting for my entire life. It’s a dream come true.”