Hi Henci
I am a doula and had a client who was diagnosed with HELLP syndrome last week. This woman had had a completely normal pregnancy ( first pregnancy)--was very healthy, gained 28 lbs, worked out and ate very well, no history of high blood pressure, or even history of ANYTHING. Her due date was 12/17/05.
On Sunday, 12/11 she began vomiting every hour for about 7 hours. Her doctor called in some phenegren (sp?) and she was better. Then on Tuesday morning she began vomiting again. Saw her OB for her regular appointment around 11am—her blood pressure was fine. She was complaining of stomach cramps and was nauseous but that was about it. Around 5pm that day she was told to go to the hospital to be seen—her blood pressure was checked around 6pm and it was something in the area of 190/108.
They ran lab tests on her and realized her platelet count was already down to 78,000 and there was liver enzyme elevation. So HELLP was diagnosed. Long story short, but she had a cesarean under general anesthesia. (platelets continued to drop and an epidural was not considered safe to use for the cesarean) What I am trying to research for her is the chance of recurring HELLP in a future pregnancy. Both her and her husband has stated they are not sure if another pregnancy will be an option after this scary complication that arose out of no where. I just wanted to provide them with some helpful information—anything you know of would be great!
Thanks,
Lesley By: Doula Les |