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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

HELLP Syndrome

10 replies

scottishcharlotte · 08/02/2008 12:00

Hi, I delivered my son 4 weeks early a few months ago as I was diagnosed as having HELLP syndrome which is the most severe form of pre-eclampsia. It basically meant that a number of my organs failed and I needed a transfusion before my son was delivered by emergency c-section. Both of us totally fine now though - but scary at the time!

Was wondering whether anyone had been diagnosed with HELLP and then gone on to have a subsequent pregnancy and if there were any complications?

Many thanks

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Naetha · 08/02/2008 12:47

Liegeandlief had HELLP, although don't know much about her, but if you CAT her, or if someone can draw her attention to this page she might be able to give you some advice

Lulumama · 08/02/2008 13:58

Peachy had HELLP if i recall, but i cannot remember whihc pregnancy it was in, but she has 3 boys and is pregnant for a 4th time, so she has had more children since that happened.

must have been very frightening..

glad you and your baby made it..

i will email peachy, i think i have her address!

needahand · 08/02/2008 14:06

one of my best friend did. She is very broody but is not willing to take the risk of another pregnancy. I realise i am completely unhelpful here.

Hopefully you will have more constructive advice soon

Peachy · 08/02/2008 16:44

i didn't have HELLP (I did have full eclampsia) but I worked on a helpline with some women who did. I'm going to pop off and find the link, as there should be some contact details of ladies there you can talk to.

In all honesty the outcomes of subsequent pregnancies varied- many went on to have complication free pregnancies, others weren't so lucky.

Peachy · 08/02/2008 16:46

here you go- there's a phone number there for Dawn who knows an awful lot about all this and is a very kind approachable lady. She got me through my post eclampsia trauma (and it is traumatic), and I am sure she will help you too.

Good luck

TuttiFrutti · 08/02/2008 17:12

My SIL had HELLP in her first pregnancy and decided not to have any more children as a result. She got pregnant by accident and the second pregnancy was totally normal.

banthambabe · 08/02/2008 17:37

Hi, I had HELLP and delivered 4 weeks early, both me and ds were ok but it took time to get over the trauma. I now have dd who is 5 months. I got preeclampsia again but as I was watched like a hawk it was caught before things got too bad. They were going to give me a elective section at 37 weeks as the consultant remembered how ill I'd been. The day i was due to be delivered all my bloodwork changed again and i would have been delivered that day anyway. I recovered so much quicker as i wasn't so ill both physically and emotionally. In fact its only having had dd that i realise how traumatised i had been with ds. I am so glad i we decided to try for no 2 but will not be having any more. If you do have another be prepared to be watched carefully and if anything like me to be quite anxious! They told me that as I had HELLP i had a 1 in 3 chance of getting preeclampsia which means 2 in 3 of not! Try the apec website as i found them really helpful. www.apec.org.uk

Original poster

scottishcharlotte · 08/02/2008 17:52

Thanks everyone I appreciate it! I have to meet a specialist who is going to chat me through exactly what happened and what the chances are of it happening again.

Apparently there is much less chance of it recurring with a little girl, but by the time you get to the stage of sexing the baby it is a bit too late!

OP posts:

lilbitmum · 24/03/2008 17:31

Not sure if this thread is still active. I had HELLP with my first child post birth. Was very ill but very much in denial about it all. Only now looking back on it I realise how traumatising it is. Dd is now 4.5 and after two missed miscarriages I am now pregnant again (10 weeks today). Have started to research HELLP a bit more and feel a bit tramatised by it tbh.

I am taking aspirin and obs consultant thinking about putting me on calcium in a couple of weeks.

haven't heard about sex of baby having an impact, and my first was a girl!

Would be interested to know how things are going for you scottishcharlotte. How far on in pregnancy are you and what have you found out?

Good luck with it all.

lilbitmum · 24/03/2008 17:35

blimey have just realised I've jumped the gun... pretty unlikely you are pregnant at the mo.

Just to say in terms of post birth trauma from HELLP I really wish I had sought some counselling as looking back now it had a massive impact on me. Am going to request some now with this pregnancy to try and minimise the effect the past has on this time.

Also happy to report medical information as I get it if that would be useful

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