Cardi B’s Preeclampsia Lyric Explained: Pregnancy Risks and Prevention
“I was preeclamptic…” — Cardi B gets real about a dangerous pregnancy complication that affects millions
When Cardi B mentions having preeclampsia on her 2025 album Am I The Drama?, she’s doing something pretty powerful – talking openly about a scary pregnancy complication that affects millions of women but rarely gets discussed.
What Is Preeclampsia — and Is It the Drama?
Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication – essentially a form of pregnancy-induced high blood pressure that can affect multiple organs. It usually strikes after 20 weeks of pregnancy (often in the third trimester) and is characterized by elevated blood pressure along with signs of organ stress, especially to the liver or kidneys. In plain terms, preeclampsia means a pregnant person’s blood pressure has climbed dangerously high, sometimes with protein showing up in the urine (a marker of kidney trouble), and often causing symptoms like severe swelling, headaches, or vision changes. It can develop quietly – some women feel perfectly fine and only learn their blood pressure is up at a routine prenatal visit, while others may experience those classic warning signs.
This condition isn’t rare or mild. Doctors estimate it complicates about 5–8% of pregnancies in the U.S. In serious cases, it can progress to eclampsia (seizures) or HELLP syndrome (a liver/blood-clotting crisis). Both mom and baby are at risk if preeclampsia goes unchecked – it’s a leading cause of preterm birth and can be life-threatening in its severe forms. The only definitive “cure” is delivering the baby; otherwise, doctors focus on preventing complications and buying time. Beyoncé, in her documentary Homecoming, revealed she developed preeclampsia carrying her twins, requiring an emergency C-section when one baby’s heartbeat faltered. That’s how dangerous it can get. It’s sobering to realize this hypertensive disorder accounts for an estimated 76,000 maternal deaths and over 500,000 infant deaths worldwide each year.
Why Pregnancy Raises the Risk
So why does preeclampsia occur in pregnancy? The truth is, medical science is still unraveling it. What we do know is that the placenta, the organ that nourishes the baby, plays a central role. When the placenta’s blood vessels don’t form and function normally, blood flow can be restricted. This triggers signals that strain the mother’s blood pressure and stress her organs.
After about 20 weeks, these changes may surface as high blood pressure and signs of stress on the liver, kidneys, or other systems. Pregnancy itself is the ultimate stress test: your blood volume rises by nearly 50%, your heart works harder, and every organ must adapt. Most bodies adjust beautifully, but for some, these demands can tip the balance into preeclampsia.
Certain factors can raise the risk:
First pregnancy
Carrying twins or multiples
Having high blood pressure before pregnancy
Age over 35 or under 20
Diabetes or kidney disease
This is why prenatal visits always include blood pressure and urine checks — providers are watching closely for any early warning signs.
How Exercise Can Help
Here’s some good news: while you can’t control all the risk factors, staying active during pregnancy can actually help protect you. Research shows that women who exercise regularly during pregnancy have a lower risk of developing preeclampsia.
You don’t need to become a gym warrior. We’re talking about:
Taking daily walks
Doing prenatal yoga
Swimming
Working out with Expect’s OB/GYN-approved prenatal and postnatal programs
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week for pregnant women (that’s about 30 minutes, 5 days a week). The idea is that exercise keeps your cardiovascular system strong and better able to handle all the changes pregnancy brings.
Important note: If you already have preeclampsia, exercise isn’t a treatment – you’ll need close medical monitoring and possibly bed rest. But staying active early in pregnancy can be a great prevention strategy.
What This Means for You
If you’re pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, here are the key takeaways:
Know the warning signs – but don’t spend your whole pregnancy worried. Severe headaches, vision changes, and unusual swelling are worth calling your doctor about, but remember that most pregnancies don’t have serious complications.
Take care of yourself – eat well, stay active (with your doctor’s OK), manage stress, and get enough sleep. These basics really do make a difference.
Speak up – trust your instincts. If something feels off, call your healthcare provider.
Build your support system – pregnancy can be overwhelming even without complications. Having people you can lean on makes everything easier. Whether it’s your partner, family, friends, or connecting with other expecting parents in communities like Expect, surrounding yourself with understanding people who’ve been through similar experiences can make all the difference.
Don’t blame yourself – if you do develop preeclampsia or other complications, it’s not because you did something wrong. Sometimes these things just happen, despite our best efforts.
The Bottom Line
Cardi B’s quick mention of preeclampsia in a rap song might seem small, but it’s actually pretty revolutionary. She’s normalizing the conversation around pregnancy complications and showing that even tough as nails, successful women experience scary health challenges.
The message isn’t to be afraid of pregnancy – it’s to be informed, prepared, and surrounded by good support. Most pregnancies go smoothly, but knowing what to watch for and taking care of yourself can help stack the odds in your favor.
And remember: if pregnancy doesn’t go exactly as planned, you’re not alone. Even superstars like Cardi B have been through the scary stuff and come out the other side. With good medical care, a strong support system, and a little knowledge, you can too.
As always, this information is for educational purposes only. If you have concerns about your pregnancy, talk to your healthcare provider – they’re your best resource for personalized advice.