August 2015 Moms
blovemama
member
HELLP/Preeclampsia mamas
blovemama
member
Any of you moms with pre e or HELLP syndrome, what are your thoughts on another pregnancy?
Anyone with a previous pregnancy with HELLP/preeclampsia--how'd it go this time?
I know it's early to be thinking about this, but I've always wanted at least 2 kiddos. This first pregnancy was really hard on both me and baby. I got preeclampsia at 32 weeks and then HELLP at 34 weeks 4 days. I was hospitalized for almost 3 weeks. I had an "urgent" c section once I developed HELLP because my platelets became dangerously low. HELLP syndrome also has like a 10-60% infant mortality rate and a 1% maternal death rate, so baby boy needed to come out. Not to mention, 1 in 4 women with HELLP are left with permanent kidney or liver damage. As far as my labs show, I haven't had and permanent liver or kidney damage from HELLP. My BP is back to perfect (110/70) now, too. My baby is doing great, too. He was pretty much fine in there until the very end when the amniotic fluid got a little low but still within normal range. The neonatologist said repeatedly that he was everything they hoped for in a 34 weeker. His apgars were 8 & 9! No IUGR either. So even though I was really sick, he was spared. At my 6 wk PP appointment, I asked my OB about future pregnancies. She said I would almost definitely get preeclampsia but hopefully late in the pregnancy. She told me that I had none of the risk factors for preeclampsia--basically just really bad luck. As terrifying as having a baby at 34 weeks was, I almost cry with gratitude when I think how lucky we were that he was viable when I became ill. My fear is that if I get pregnant again, I may get HELLP even earlier. The preeclampsia was no ballgame, but it was the HELLP complication that forced the early delivery. I'm also afraid that next time I won't be so lucky with being spared the organ damage. I also know there's no guarantee that the next baby would be spared from the scarier complications like IUGR. For the time being, I am soaking in every precious moment with my darling boy knowing this might be the only go at it I'll get. I'm 27, so I figure I've probably got about 10 more fertile years left. Praying for a cure before then!
Edited because I spelled HELLP wrong and to add how terrible the magnesium sulfate drip was. I had to be on it twice. Once when I was first admitted and they were afraid I'd be delivering that day because the protein in my urine and then again after he was born two weeks later. Seriously the worst medical experience of my life! But it did keep my brain safe, so I guess I really shouldn't complain!
Anyone with a previous pregnancy with HELLP/preeclampsia--how'd it go this time?
I know it's early to be thinking about this, but I've always wanted at least 2 kiddos. This first pregnancy was really hard on both me and baby. I got preeclampsia at 32 weeks and then HELLP at 34 weeks 4 days. I was hospitalized for almost 3 weeks. I had an "urgent" c section once I developed HELLP because my platelets became dangerously low. HELLP syndrome also has like a 10-60% infant mortality rate and a 1% maternal death rate, so baby boy needed to come out. Not to mention, 1 in 4 women with HELLP are left with permanent kidney or liver damage. As far as my labs show, I haven't had and permanent liver or kidney damage from HELLP. My BP is back to perfect (110/70) now, too. My baby is doing great, too. He was pretty much fine in there until the very end when the amniotic fluid got a little low but still within normal range. The neonatologist said repeatedly that he was everything they hoped for in a 34 weeker. His apgars were 8 & 9! No IUGR either. So even though I was really sick, he was spared. At my 6 wk PP appointment, I asked my OB about future pregnancies. She said I would almost definitely get preeclampsia but hopefully late in the pregnancy. She told me that I had none of the risk factors for preeclampsia--basically just really bad luck. As terrifying as having a baby at 34 weeks was, I almost cry with gratitude when I think how lucky we were that he was viable when I became ill. My fear is that if I get pregnant again, I may get HELLP even earlier. The preeclampsia was no ballgame, but it was the HELLP complication that forced the early delivery. I'm also afraid that next time I won't be so lucky with being spared the organ damage. I also know there's no guarantee that the next baby would be spared from the scarier complications like IUGR. For the time being, I am soaking in every precious moment with my darling boy knowing this might be the only go at it I'll get. I'm 27, so I figure I've probably got about 10 more fertile years left. Praying for a cure before then!
Edited because I spelled HELLP wrong and to add how terrible the magnesium sulfate drip was. I had to be on it twice. Once when I was first admitted and they were afraid I'd be delivering that day because the protein in my urine and then again after he was born two weeks later. Seriously the worst medical experience of my life! But it did keep my brain safe, so I guess I really shouldn't complain!
Together since '07
Married since '12
Off the pill since 5/14
BFP: 8/10/14 -- CP 8/22/14
BFP: 12/10/15 -- Prayers requested
Re: HELLP/Preeclampsia mamas
I feel like we are really lucky. If I had not gone back to the hospital when I did things could have ended much differently. It sucks, but I have read somewhere about a baby aspirin regimine during pregnany for those who had high blood pressure. Or maybe they would put you on blood pressure meds from the beginning... Not sure. I know there is a high risk pregnancy board and they might have more answers.
Sorry you had to go through all of that. It sucks that it is something do random and doctors don't know that much about why you get it.
Married: Oct 20, 2013
BFP 1: Aug 31, 2015
EDD 1: May 12, 2016
DD1 Emma born May 12, 2016
An Honest Account of New Motherhood (with Postpartum Anxiety, Depression, and OCD)
BFP 2: October 07, 2019
EDD 2: June 20, 2020
As badly as I want more children, I'm scared of what could happen & I'll be talking to my Dr at my 6 week appt next week.
I was hospitalized twice within my DDs first 2 weeks of life and went through two rounds of magnesium sulfate drips.
Never again.
We don't want anymore kids, but it's the big "what if" hanging over our heads now.
DS1 -6/25/11
DS2 -3/23/13
Missed MC D&C 8/26/14
DD - 8/26/15
LO#4 due 5/30/17