Candiace Dillard Bassett opened up about her painful postpartum journey over a month after she and her husband, Chris Bassett, welcomed their baby boy, Jett Maxwell Lee Bassett. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the reality star recalled how her health deteriorated after giving birth. She revealed experiencing lower abdominal pains to the extent that she “couldn’t walk.” Moreover, Candiace said that it only kept getting worse from there until a CAT scan determined the cause of her pain.
Candiace Dillard Bassett reveals she had ‘horrifying’ abdominal pain after giving birth
Speaking to PEOPLE, Candiace Dillard Bassett recounted her terrifying postpartum journey. She revealed that her health took a turn for the worse after giving birth to her son on October 3. The former “Real Housewives of Potomac (RHOP)” star recalled having “horrifying lower abdominal pains.” Moreover, the pain got “worse,” leaving her unable to walk and move.
While medications seemed to work, their effects remained temporary. The reality star expressed she had fevers, one of which was as high as over 103°F. Candiace noted that problems persisted even when the couple reached home from a luxury wellness center. Furthermore, not being able to pump breastmilk for her child and enduring immense pain during breastfeeding only worsened her mental health.
The “RHOP” alum recalled she felt like a “mess” and was grateful to her husband, Chris Bassett, for taking care of both her and their son. She said, “I was just like a literal vegetable, laying there like a bump on a log.” After her father advised her to seek a medical professional’s help, a CAT scan diagnosed a blood clot in her left ovary.
The new mom was prescribed six weeks of blood thinners after successfully avoiding surgery. She recalled feeling better a week into the journey, both physically and mentally. The reality star said, “I’m actually able to take care of Jett; to hold him and care for him and breastfeed and actually be a mom.”
Candiace thanked her husband for helping her and taking care of their son through the whole process. She said that he took up multiple roles, making her feel like she wasn’t alone. The former “RHOP” cast member also expressed her “newfound respect” for her mother, Dorothy Watts.