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Jennifer Choate, 27, went to a Maryland hospital with high blood pressure and possible preeclampsia, then suddenly collapsed in labor. A quick-acting nurse alerted senior staff as Choate’s heart stopped; doctors diagnosed a rare amniotic fluid embolism—seen in about 1 in 40,000 births and often fatal. She was resuscitated, her daughter delivered by C-section, and she was transferred for intensive care. After nine days, Choate went home without long-term complications, grateful her baby is healthy, and still processing the trauma with support from loved ones and the nurse who helped save her.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.