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Not to scare Jodie Sweetin, Halle Berry and other pregnant celebrities, but giving birth can be hard work. It’s like the Iraq war in that way.

Take the case of Trista Sutter:

After struggling to conceive for two years, the former star of The Bachelorette stayed the vaginal course and finally became pregnant in November 2006.

“EPT sent me about 100 pregnancy tests, and I discovered I was pregnant with the very last one,” Trista told Us Weekly in its latest cover story.

However, things got scary during Trista’s ninth month. Her doctor found protein in her urine and tested Sutter for preeclampsia, a potentially fatal hypertensive disorder that typically occurs toward the end of a pregnancy. It wasn’t fun.

“I was terribly nauseous and in a lot of pain,” she said.

Trista was diagnosed with HELLP syndrome (a complication of preeclampsia).

“The risks are seizures and coma, so they kept me overnight for observation,” the female version of Brad Womack explained. “I can’t remember much of the next day. My liver was failing. The only cure for HELLP syndrome is to have the baby, so they induced me.”

After six hours Trista’s levels kept getting worse.

“I knew something was wrong when the doctor looked worried.” Ryan, her husband, said. “They said there was a chance her liver could rupture. They were trying to get us to make a comfortable decision to go with a C-section. Eventually we said if Trista’s health is deteriorating and we’re jeopardizing the baby’s health, then do what you have to do.”

Fortunately, everyone in the new family is now safe and home resting.