Has anyone else experienced HELLP syndrome?

[Helen16]

I was unfortunate enough to get pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome a week before I was due to be induced. Has anyone else experience this condition and how did it effect them?

My SIL had this and had a bad birth experience with her first (the birth itself was fine, although induced very early, it was the after-effects). Second time round, she didn't develop either HELLP or pre-eclampsia and had a normal pregnancy and birth.

Hi

I had eclampsia but not HELLP, however I have spoken to women who did via this charity here that I am on the committee of (well think I am.... certainly used to be...

The lady who runs it has a list of names and can put you in touch with someone who has if you want to talk it through.

Truth is, sometimes it repeats, sometimes it
doesn't. I was induced early as ds1 was deteriosrating although fortunately at 38 weeks, he was IUGR and is now disabled (nobody knows if related or not as I have a second twith the same thng, so might be genetic)- anyhow, my other 4 births have been good ones, and the last was at home.

Thankyou both for the reply. Peachy sorry to hear you had some problems yourself. But I hope all the children are doing well.
The affects of the HELLP were quite dramatic. It all started with a pain on my right hand side on the bottom of my rib cage. Which got steadily worse, by the time I went into A&E (after ringing everybody and being passed from pillar to post) it was excruciating I couldn't move without screaming. But after delivery by emergency C the pain completely vanished. After effects were anaemia and low platelet count - with a result of no energy for weeks. Baby was completely fine however. At about 8 weeks got an all clear on the blood test results and i feel fine now and enjoying motherhood. Just have concerning about future pregnancies as care on the ward afterwards was appauling.

My SIL was told she had a 20% chance of getting HELLP second time around, but I don't know if that's universal or just her.

Hi Helen, I had pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome almost 2 years ago with my son. I had the same pain under my rib cage but no other symptoms and so was passed round doctors and mws being told it was indigestion or breech baby - I was convinced I was in too much agony for either of these but no one believed me! Anyway eventually my bp went up and I was admitted. I was very lucky that the HELLP symptoms disappeared of their own accord and I was left with bog standard pre-eclampsia - hung on in hospital for a bit until ds was born by cs at 34 weeks. He was fairly poorly and in hospital for 2 months but is now a beuatiful and very healthy toddler.

It did leave me feeling very shaky though. I got hold of my notes and also went for a pre-conception appt with my consultant when ds was a year old, which really helped - we talked about the risk of a second pg and what could be done to manage it. You are less likely to get PE or HELLP in a second pg but the risk is dependent on how severe it was the first time, time of onset etc. Would really recommend asking for a referral from your gp for similar appt.

Have you seen the APEC website? That has lots of info and support for pre-eclampsia.

Glad you and your baby are now well

LiegeandLief thankyou for this great advice, it has greatly reassured me and I will certainly see the consultant before the next pregnancy.