Any HELLP moms?

drunkindonuts

I'm looking for a little light if any HELLP moms have any experiences to share. Are there any moms who have had a normal pregnancies following one with HELLP or any moms who have had consecutive pregnancies with HELLP? If so, were you monitored more diligently? Did everything turn out okay? My first pregnancy was complicated with HELLP and was pretty traumatic to my husband (I was on bedrest, took a quick decline and ended up with an emergency c/s and our daughter spent 3w in the NICU), which is making him reluctant to try for baby #2. He says he wants another child but is afraid something will go wrong to compromise mine or our child's life. Does anyone have any experiences? Thanks!

KTZ17

Hoping some second time moms will comment on this thread, cause I'm interested in the responses as well...I was in a situation similar to yours: hospital bed rest, liver enzymes became elevated and dd was born at 31 weeks 3 days and spent a month in the NICU. My perinatologist in the hospital said afterwards that subsequent pregnancies will be considered high risk and I'll be closely monitored, but the chances of HELLP again are like 20-30% and if I take baby aspirin then that decreases the chances by half. So only a 10-15% chance isn't that high. Also I understand the chances are decreased if it's the same father, and if it does happen again it tends to be later onset. These are the things I tell myself because I really want to experience a full term birth and taking my baby home from the hospital with me. We're not thinking about another baby for another year or two though.

jg1011

Im not through my pregnancy yet, but my first was born at 35 weeks due to pre-e with HELLP. However, it was the HELLP that prompted delivery. DS was in NICU for 10 days. So far, this pregnancy has gone very smoothly. I am being monitored closely but no sign of pre-e or HELLP at this point. Good luck to you!

mmsweeney1

My situation is a little different, but I thought I would chime in anyway. I had Acute Fatty Liver, which is related to HELLP. Our first son didn't make it, so we were very scared to try again. As you said, we are considered high risk and are monitored very closely. My liver enzymes have been tested since about 20 weeks. Everything is ok so far, and we're almost ready to have our baby girl.

Good luck to you! Be brave - if you have drs you can trust, I think the outcome will be worth whatever you have to go through.

drunkindonuts

Thanks for the responses!  Our daughter just turned 2 and my baby fever has kicked in at full force.  My husband's fears are really preventing him from any desire to have another child.  When I asked my OB they didn't really seem concerned.  They told me that the risk for HELLP is only about 4% and doesn't change much with consecutive pregnancies, especially if it's the same father.  They didn't mention baby asprin, but I've read that a bit so I will definitely be asking about that.  Thanks again mamas!

robsbabygirl08

I didn't have HELLP but a friend did with her first pregnancy, but not the 2 following pregnancies.