Shannen was in her twenties and weighed over 238 pounds when she got pregnant with her first child. At 26 weeks, she was diagnosed with Strep B. Typically, the Strep B bacteria is harmless — but since Shannen was pregnant, it caused bleeding.
At the same time, Shannen’s growing belly became so large that doctors were unable to detect her son’s heartbeat under her fat. For a terrifying period of time, doctors believed Shannen’s son passed away inside the womb.
Meanwhile, her own physical heath was declining.
Shannon fell into a coma during which doctors performed a C-section.
That's when another unbelievable discovery was made
Shannen Roan, 24, weighed over 238 pounds when she got pregnant.
She was diagnosed with Strep B at 26 weeks.
Typically, the Strep B bacteria is harmless but since Shannen was pregnant, it caused bleeding.
Because Shannen's belly was so big, doctors were unable to detect her son's heartbeat underneath her fat.
They thought her baby boy died in the womb.
Meanwhile, Shannen's own health was taking a terrifying turn for the worse.
Shannen then slipped into a coma. Doctors told her family to say their goodbyes, as they didn't think she would survive much longer.
While unconscious, doctors prepared to perform a C-section on Shannen
and they were shocked to discover that her baby boy was alive.
Shannen awoke from the coma and learned she had given birth to her George, her miracle of a son.
Baby George would often get sick if she ate anything other than carbs while breastfeeding.
According to the University of Adelaide, pregnant women who eat lots of fatty and sugary foods can result in their babies being addicted to fatty, sugary diets by the time they're done breastfeeding.
Shannen gained more and more weight while her self-esteem plummeted.
Shannen signed up for a weight loss program after she stopped breastfeeding George. She was tired of being overweight and ashamed.
After her traumatic pregnancy and miraculous recovery, Shannen dove headfirst into her "second chance at life."
Once she was finished breastfeeding George, Shannen was ready to drastically change her eating habits.
She lost over 100 pounds and went from a size 20 to a size 8!
The new mom was even crowned Cambridge Weight Plan's "Slimmer of the Year" among participants under the age of 25.
As for George, he quickly recovered from sepsis which caused harmful bacteria in his tissue.
"He was such a little fighter, even when doctors thought he was dead he managed to stay alive," Shannen said.
Now, Shannen is sharing her story with the world to help raise awareness. for Strep B.
Since Strep B carries little-to-no symptoms, women can carry it and not know.
