- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
High-Risk Pregnancy
HELLP Syndrome
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!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: HELLP Syndrome
I had HELLP with my son and am currently pregnant with #2. Before we started trying again, my dr ran a full blood panel on me and discovered a clotting disorder that may have contributed to me developing HELLP. So for this pregnancy I am on daily injections of blood thinners to prevent clots from settling on the placenta.
My dr thinks I have a pretty good chance of an uneventful pregnancy. So far the injections are not bad. I am however, scared to death that I will get sick again. I think it's probably pretty normal to be nervous/scared about being pregnant again after going through something like HELLP and having a preemie.
Best of luck to you!
I had severe pre-e and HELLP with my first son, born at 35 weeks. We both nearly died. My pregnancy with my second son was completely unplanned and I can honestly say I was terrified. I immediately met with a high-risk OB/GYN to discuss my odds of developing the same complications again. I was told that I had a less than 5% chance of developing HELLP again--my odds were higher than a normal pregnant woman because I'd had it before, but still pretty low. I was told I had a 20% chance of developing pre-e again, but that in my high-risk OB/GYN's experience, pre-e is a first pregnancy issue.
I carried my second son all the way to his scheduled c-section date, which was exactly 3 weeks longer than I carried his brother. I developed PIH at around 30 weeks and was placed on modified bed rest and blood pressure meds, but I never did develop pre-e or HELLP. My second son was born completely healthy, required no time in the NICU, and he was huge--11 pounds, 10 ounces. Obviously he had no issues with compromised placenta functioning!
If you have any questions, feel free to send me a PM. I'll be happy to tell you how I was monitored. I hope hearing a success story calms your fears somewhat. I know how scary it is. But the relief I felt when DS2 was born is an emotion I cannot describe. It was overwhelming.
I had HELLP with severe pre-e with my first pregnancy. With my second DD, I didn't get HELLP but did have a mild case of pre-e. I did have to spend some time on hospital bedrest with the mild pre-e, and I think that kept it from progressing (and helped me make it to 37 weeks).
My suggestion is that you find a good high-risk OB (MFM) to manage your care during any future pregnancies. I saw an MFM only for the second pregnancy, and I really feel it made a difference. It would also be a good idea to see one for a pre-conception consultation.