Beyoncé Opens Up About Pregnancy Complications and Postpartum Recovery in Homecoming

Beyoncé opened up about the challenges of her 2017 pregnancy with twins Rumi and Sir in her Netflix documentary, Homecoming. In a rare look into her personal life, she revealed serious health issues she faced, including preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure that can lead to organ damage. “I was 218 pounds the day I gave birth,” Beyoncé shared, adding that she dealt with toxemia and preeclampsia, which even led to moments when one of her babies’ heartbeats paused, requiring an emergency C-section.

The Preeclampsia Foundation notes that symptoms of this condition include high blood pressure, headaches, swelling, and protein in the urine, affecting about 5 to 8% of births in the U.S. each year. Tragically, preeclampsia is responsible for thousands of maternal and infant deaths annually, and African-American women like Beyoncé are at a significantly higher risk of pregnancy-related complications. In fact, the CDC reports they are three to four times more likely to die from such complications than white women.

In Homecoming, which documents her iconic Coachella 2018 performance preparation, Beyoncé also reflected on her journey back to the stage after her pregnancy. She shared, “There were days that I thought I’d never be the same…my strength and endurance would never be the same.” Her words highlight the physical and emotional hurdles of postpartum recovery.

Beyoncé previously discussed her experience in a 2018 Vogue interview, describing how the ordeal left her in "survival mode." She found strength in connecting with other parents who had faced similar challenges and embraced her body’s changes, prioritizing self-care throughout her recovery.

Homecoming gives fans a closer look at Beyoncé’s resilience, offering a powerful reminder of the struggles many mothers face and the importance of self-love on the path to recovery.