L.D. asks from San Antonio, TX on May 11, 2008
Seeking People Who Have Had HELLP Syndrome with Their Pregnancy
My brother-in-law(Mike) and his wife(Erica) lost their 7 y/o son to an asthma attack this past February. It was their only child. Erica had a rare condition with her pregnancy known as HELLP syndrome, which is a severe form of pre-clampsia. This condition is characterized by breaking down of red blood cells, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets. Due to this condition, which put her and her son's life at great risk during the delivery, as well as being diagnosed with lupus 1 ½ years later, they opted not to have any more children.
Since that time, they have learned that having more children after having HELLP syndrome may be a very realistic option as long as they are carefully monitored. Mike and Erica would like to be able to speak with as many people as possible who have experienced this and since it is rare, it is difficult to find such people.
So I am posting this to see if anyone has either gone through this (or knows someone who has) and if so, if they would not mind sharing their experience. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks so much!
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M.F. answers from Houston on May 13, 2008
I have no experience with HELLP, but I will tell you the doctor to be with is Karolina Adam. She's a high-risk OB and people all over the country go to her. I went to her with my first pregnancy and she was incredible. I would suggest Mike and Erica speak with her and she will give them all the information they need about it. If it can be done, she will tell them. I would trust her with my life. And I did!
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M.F. answers from Houston on May 13, 2008
I have no experience with HELLP, but I will tell you the doctor to be with is Karolina Adam. She's a high-risk OB and people all over the country go to her. I went to her with my first pregnancy and she was incredible. I would suggest Mike and Erica speak with her and she will give them all the information they need about it. If it can be done, she will tell them. I would trust her with my life. And I did!
1 mom found this helpful
T.C. answers from Houston on May 13, 2008
Im sorry for your BIL's loss.
I had pre-eclampsia with my firstborn at an early age. She is completely healthy and has straight A's and B's. Great kid.
I ended up with HELLP with my son (2nd preg) and had an extended stay in the hospital (VBAC and 4 day stay). I was induced 3 weeks early. My son is pretty healthy, but he has school issues. He has reading problems which could be from a list of anything. Docs arent sure. They tried diagnosing him with Spec Ed, but we tried other options. They finally just said he had Short Term Memory Loss -- 5 minutes. Like asking him to get up and go to the fridge for a glass of water, standing up and half way there going "what?" Its minimal. One of the causes is pre-e or HELLP.
I went on to have another preg, my 3rd. Completely healthy and fine. I had no pre-eclampsia issues and the baby was healthy and delivered healthy at 39 weeks.
I am pregnant again. I have a great OB this time, who has been watching me every 3 weeks instead of the 4 week guideline. I have had several ultrasounds to monitor me and the baby. My OB will start monitoring me very closely begining at week 30 to test for liver and kidney functions to make sure if pre-eclampsia persists yet again, we can catch it and keep it at bay.
Your BIL's wife can have a healthy pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby with the RIGHT OB care. Have several OB consults and find the right OB that will monitor her more closely earlier in the pregnancy.
Best of Luck!
J.B. answers from College Station on May 13, 2008
I had HELLP with my first child and have had 4 more pregnancies after that all without incident. Obviously I don't know what other factors may be involved but that's my story. I have 3 boys and a girl now and I was healthy as could be during the other pregnancies and deliveries.
K.N. answers from Houston on May 13, 2008
L.,
I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your bother in law and his wife's son. My sister experienced HELLP syndrome with her first pregnancy. Her OBGYN missed all the warning signs and we almost lost her and the baby. It was very serious. But since then she has gone on to have another baby and the pregnancy was perfectly fine. She was monitored much more closly this time and automatically had a C-section. I am sure if they find the right doctor who will monitor her and make her feel comfortable in her desicion she will be fine. My sister's two children are now ages 5 and 3 and both are very healthy and active. I hope all works out the best for them.
K.
H.T. answers from Victoria on May 13, 2008
hello I had Hellp syndrome and they did not tell me I should not have any more children but you are at a greater risk to get it again.That is what I was told after I had my daughter.You just have to be careful.
D.T. answers from San Antonio on May 13, 2008
Hi L.,
I am not fimilar with HELLP but I found a site that may help Mike and erica. Here is the site www.hellpsyndrome.org D.
J.R. answers from Houston on May 12, 2008
Hello L.!
I had HELLP almost 3 years ago. Feel free to contact me at ____@____.com
M.S. answers from San Antonio on May 12, 2008
I found the following sight with my last pregnancy...I was being monitored for pre-eclampsia...it is a great resource of other women who have had HELLP and gone on to have other children.
http://www.preeclampsia.org/forum/active.asp
{{{{hugs}}}}
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