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Raquel2
Starting Member
US
6 Posts |
 Posted - 11/01/2009 : 02:13:39 AM
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Hi everyone:
I posted here about 6 mos ago, after my very traumatic birth experience...docs told me I developed HELLP during delivery, long awful story. However both baby and I are completeyly recovered!
I am though a bit confused about my diagnosis, well really I never had one. The doctors just don't agree. I'd like to share my story and see what you guys think.
-completely healthy pregnancy, all prenatal tests normal
-at 36 weeks I become unbelievably fatigued and nauseous. i can't really get out of bed, obgyn says it's normal because I'm 9 mos pregnant, some URQ pain that I thought was the baby pressing on my ribs
-at 37 weeks i go into labor, spotting and slow starting contractions at 12am March 19th
-3 hours after labor started, I suddenly go from slow very tolerable contractions to very quick almost no breaks in between unbelievable, indescribably painful contractions. We rush to the hospital, the most excrutiating car ride of my life
-water breaks in the elevator to labor and delivery
-they admit me and realize baby is in distress, baby's heart rate is low
-my blood pressure is perfect and always has been
-emergency c-section, general anesthesia
-baby completely healthy
-doctors trying to sew me up and I will not clot...turns out I had a placental abruption.
-I bleed out for four hours, multiple blood transfusions...almost die!
-come out with slightly elevated liver enzymes and super low plateletes
-become severely jaundice during 2 week hospital stay
-spent 2 weeks total in hospital, liver enzymes continue to trickle up throughout my hospital stay
-sent home where my enzymes continue to elevate over the next month
-after 2months my liver enzymes finally begin to go down and they are normal now.
all the docs in the emergency room said I had HELLP, my obgyn doesn't agree. She thinks I just had a placental abruption which always ends up in hemorrage and thus damaged my liver due to the blood loss, which also explains the low plateletes.
I never had high blood pressure or protein in my urine.
How can i ever know If I truely had HELLP or just a placental abruption??
Thanks to anyone who reads this!
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amandaoasis
Junior Member
US
145 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2009 : 10:00:14 AM
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I'm not a doctor, but I think it is possible to have both. I had HELLP with non-diagnostic BP and no protein. I also started having an abruption which my MD thought was caused by the HELLP.
I don't know if there are any clear answers to this, as you have discovered...just many opinions. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be around who is more familiar with the real diagnostic criteria. |
Mom to Bennett. 3lbs. 7 oz. 16 inches. Born 11/24/08 at 31 weeks 2 days due to HELLP.
TTC #2 November 2009 |
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Heather J
Pregnant Again Moderator
4390 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2009 : 10:32:49 AM
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Like Amanda mentioned, PE can lead to an abruption. It sounds like, if anything, you may want to get a second opinion from a professional who could objectively look at your records and lab reports. HELLP is comprised of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets - to me (who's simply someone who's experienced it), it sure sounds like you had it. Do you have a copy of your records to reference lab totals?
At any rate, you had a LOT going on - abruption, hemmorhage/clotting issues, low platelets, liver issues, etc. I would definitely want a consult with an MFM at some point to hopefully start putting some of the pieces together.
Congratulations on a full recovery for you and your babe! |
Heather (PAI-1 4G/4G), mama to:
Nicolas Edison (6/04) 36 weeks 5.1 lbs. due to severe PE, HELLP, abruption
Ella Amelia (3/07) 37 weeks 6.2 lbs. and NO PE!!! (lovenox pregnancy)
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Edited by - Heather J on 11/01/2009 10:33:24 AM |
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angieb
New Member
US
53 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 11:16:11 AM
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I definitely had HELLP (no placental abruption) and never had protein in my urine or even elevated blood pressure...even when my enzymes were at Class I HELLP.
It sounds like they didn't do blood work before delivery? |
9/28/09-Our angel Olivia Caetlyn was born.
Class I HELLP at 23 + 2 weeks.
12/09- TTC again |
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atvlady
Junior Member
US
333 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 11:18:11 PM
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| First off I am glad you and the baby are fine. Secondly I seriously believe you had HELLP. And I may be wrong but seems like it peaked after delivery. And this is my thought....I myself would raise the red flag if my OB told me I didn't have HELLP but all the tests' pointed to it. I am not trying to talk bad about your dr BUT I hve wore your shoes and almost died myself. I want a dr who knows their stuff and I have one, luckily. At this point, if you consider having more, I would make appts, interview other drs, ask them how they define HELLP (by tests') and tell them what some of your numbers and symptoms was and see what they say. I would go with a dr who is knowledgeable instead of nice. HELLP is very scary and very deadly, that is why I preach finding a dr who knows their stuff...you and your baby's life is at stake. |
Delissa(36) Hubby(43)
#1 Rissa-Janelle "Darren" King born 6-6-09 10:33 p.m. passed 6-6-09 11:53 p.m. Twenty weeks one day gestational, 192 grams (6.8 ounces), 9 inches long. Severe HELLP, severe Pre-e and severe PIH.
#2 TTC as of October, 24 2009. HELLP, pre-e and all your ugly buddies, STAY AWAY!
Learn from the past, build for the future. |
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tlovele
Starting Member
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - 11/04/2009 : 08:01:00 AM
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| Yes-it is possible to have both pre-e and HELLP. I did! The pre-e caused my placental abruption, and my situation was similar where I didn't have any protein in my urine at my last appointment a week and a half before I delivered. You were showing a few symptoms beforehand i see-I also had the nausea and pain late, and was also told that was common at that point in pregnancy. Definitely talk with your doc to find out exactly what happened so you can make plans in the future. My doc was very honest with me, and I'm actually pregnant now. She is doing an amnio tomorrow early (34.5 weeks)to prevent the pre-e, HELLP, and abruption again b/c it has a high probability of happening around the same time in subsequent pregnancies! If you don't feel your doc is answering your uestions or taking you seriously, I'd defnitely switch before having any more kids! Both of your lives are at stake! Glad you're both well! |
TaSh (28)
#1-Isiah Mikal-born sleeping at 35 weeks on 8/10/06 to placental abruption due to pre-e and HELLP.
Mommy and Daddy think of you everyday! We miss you!We remember you!
#2-Jasmine born 9/12/07 after 2 partial abruptions-doing fine & just turned 2! Mom and Dad's pride and joy!
#'s 3+4- Issac+Kamryn born 11/6/09! No abruptions! Double Trouble!! |
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rachelc
Advanced Member
USA
538 Posts |
Posted - 11/04/2009 : 5:56:05 PM
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Unfortunately you will probably never know for sure but, IMO it is likely that you did. You stated that you were having URQ pain about a week before delivery. Did you have any blood work done at that time? It is quite possible that the fatigue and pain were due to HELLP.
HELLP and PE also increase your risk for placental abruption. It sounds like right now you situation is sort like which came first, the chicken or the egg.
In any case, I would want any future pregnancy treated as if I had HELLP. Because you don't know for sure, it would be prudent to be extra cautious in future pregnancies. |
Rachel Proud Mom of 3 Girls!
Courtney 3 lb. 13 oz born 9/12/99 33 weeks due to Severe PE
Sierra 6 lb. 8 oz. born 8/1/04 36 weeks due to PE
Haley 5 lb. 7 oz. born 5/8/07 33 weeks due to Severe PE |
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Raquel2
Starting Member
US
6 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2009 : 01:16:27 AM
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Thanks everyone for your input. I wish we could all have answers to what the hell happened and why me!!!!
I should really just chill out and be happy we are all ok now...
So happy I found these boards...I don't feel sorry for myself anymore, this has happened to other women...you guys are a wonderful supportive bunch :) |
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FAQ
How do you know if you really had HELLP?
