Kim Kardashian’s delivery room drama in the latest People magazine (People)
Kim Kardashian delivered her first child, weeks early, because doctors feared the reality TV star suffered from a potentially dangerous condition, best cured by inducing premature labor, according to published reports today.
Kardashian experienced severe swelling in the days before her baby was born on Friday and doctors feared mom had the complication preeclampsia, family sources told People magazine.
Women suffering from preeclampsia develop high blood pressure and protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
When the condition is severe, it can affect many organs and cause poor growth for the child, according to Baby Center.
The best cure is to deliver early, but only if the mom is at least 36 weeks along. Kardashian was at an estimated at 37 weeks when she delivered at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Southern California.
“It’s a great sign that [the baby] is not in the ICU,” OB-GYN Dr. Shelena Lalji told People magazine.
The celebrity baby girl entered the world, weighing about five pounds. Baby K has been described as a Kardashian mini-me with dark hair and the same smile.
“I don’t think she [Kardashian] was scared,” a family friend told People. “She was just ready.”
The new mom has barely put down her baby since giving birth.
“For premature babies with no major complications, it’s very important that they are held close to the mother,” a hospital source said. “It helps them gain weight faster.”
Kardashian’s boyfriend and baby daddy Kanye West rushed to his girlfriend’s side just hours after returning from Art Basel in Switzerland.
He was spotted walking with the soon-to-be mom as she struggled with her contractions.
A witness told People, “The were quiet. Kanye seemed very supportive.”
The rapper had been holed up in Europe working and promoting his album “Yeezus” leading up to the delivery. Since becoming a dad, however, a Kardashian friend said that West “hasn’t left her side.”
Despite the early delivery, Kim’s sister Khloé Kardashian Odom tweeted that “Mommy/baby are healthy &resting.”
Page Six reported in April that Kardashian might not have been telling the truth about her due date.
During a baby shower for fashion stylist Monica Rose at Bagatelle LA, Kim was overheard saying she’s due in mid-June.