HELLP Syndrome

lyndi25

During your delivery, did any of you experience HELLP syndrome? If so, did you have any more children after that? I was diagnosed with HELLP during my labor and delivery and was at a very high risk of dying during my C-section...My husband and I always wanted to have more kids, but I'm scared that I could go through this again... If anyone has gone through this and had more children, could you please let me know what precautions were taken? Thanks!

jjilly7

i had an emergency c section because of HELLP and had no idea i had it either.. I only have one baby right now, but was told that your risk reduces with each pregnancy, and when you decide to get pregnant, to see a perinatologist.

mommyof4boys

I had HELLP with my lst pregnancy.  We were done and knew we were done before his birth so IDK.  I would have loved to have more but it wasn't just the HELLP that did us in.  It was the hyperamisis, IC, PTL, bedrest, cerclage, pre-e, and then HELLP that helped us decide to not have any more.

Deutscher

I had HELLP also and my OB told me that we had a 20% chance of it returning with our next baby. I also had my pre eclampsia creep back up after our son was born, which I didn't know was possible!

arthist24

Definitely talk to your MFM/perinatologist about your specific situation.  Mine told me I have a 2% chance of getting HELLP again and that it would likely develop later in the pregnancy and be less severe if it did happen.  He also said I have a 30% chance of getting pre-e again as well.  He was supportive of me trying for future pregnancies though. 

tierelieber

I had severe HELLP syndrome with DD at 30 weeks. My MFM told me 40% chance with the next pregnancy. I will be full term on Friday, and I have had absolutely no signs of HELLP or pre-e. It all depends on your specific situation and your health, but it looks like I will be having a full-termer this time around. I am actually pretty surprised that I have had no problems relative to DD. Schedule a pre-pregnancy consult with an MFM before you start TTC again. It will give you the direction that you need to make the decision to have another baby.

tierelieber

lucy460:

I don't know if you just had your LO or if it's been awhile. If you just had your LO, know that the trauma of it all does/can fade with time. I didn't ever think I could possibly get over the experience, but in fact I am starting to. 

 

You have a very good point! You have to be ready emotionally. You never fully get over the traumatic experience of having a preemie, but it does get easier. Once you come to terms with it, and know that it may happen again, then you can start TTC. You have to be emotionally ready to deal with the experience again. You hit all the same milestones, and you compare everything in both pregnancies, and it's really exhausting.

lyndi25

I had my son 8 weeks ago, so its all still fresh in my mind... I was lucky that my baby was born at 42 weeks, so he wasn't a preemie by any means... i'm just so scared that the next baby wouldn't make it, or that i would leave my son without a mom... i guess i just have to meet with a specialist and discuss it further... its just so scary to think what could have happened and most people just cant' identify with what i went through... its so nice to find people that can understand what i went and am going through on here...  thanks to all for your responses