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From Andrea
reed0478@bellsouth.net (Georgetown, KY) This is Andrea the KY rep and I was just writing to update everyone on my pregnancy. We went in to my OB for an amnio at 36 weeks to check lung development and it turned out that my fluid levels were extremely low and my placenta was starting to calcify so we went straight over to the hospital to induce labor. Addaline Mae was born on Jan. 14 at 3:57 am and weighed 6lbs 3.5ozs and was 19.75in long. She was a little premature and her lungs were not developed completely so she spent a week in the NICU at the University of Kentucky. We got to bring her home on Jan. 20 and we are all doing well. We still had some problems with this pregnancy as I had extreme dizziness due to tachycardia, but that corrected itself when the baby was born. She did have to come early because my placenta was starting to quit, but we were HELLP and preeclampsia free. The outcome of this pregnancy was much better this time and I am grateful for that. I want women out there to know that subsequent pregnancies after HELLP can be successful. I am looking forward to watching our little girl grow up because we were not given the chance to do so with our son who died as a result of HELLP syndrome.
From Tracy
kellermans@earthlink.net (San Rafael, CA ) My second son, James Laurence, was born HELLP free on January 27, 2004 at a healthy 6 lbs. 10oz. I was monitored by my regular OB weekly from 32 weeks onwards with weekly blood work and no signs of HELLP or PE were detected. I delivered at 37 weeks naturally and what a difference from the first time around!! My first son, Andrew (Drew) John was induced on April 28, 2000 at 36 weeks due to severe HELLP. I was in the hospital for 2 full days before the doctors could determine what was going on. My recovery from HELLP and Drew's arrival was slow, but we suffered no further complications. I did send a blood sample from Drew to Baylor University to test for L-CHAD (which can occur in babies born with HELLP and potentially mothers too); his test came back negative therefore I was not tested.
James goes to prove that you can have a healthy second baby and be free from complications!! Thank you for this newsletter and for sharing all of our stories with others!
From Leslie and Michael
MLCinOP@aol.com (Overland Park, KS) Gabriel John was born at 32 weeks, 4 lbs, 17 inches, on February 18, 2004, due to me getting Preeclampsia and having Reverse end diastolic flow. They told me I was less than one week away from getting HELLP again and didn't want me to get that sick again so I had the c-section on Feb 18th. After getting this disease in some form, three times now, I decided that it would be a good thing to get my tubes tied. ;o) He's doing pretty good, he's a lot bigger and healthier than Claudia was at birth. He's still in the NICU, but we're hoping to bring him home in the next few weeks. We just have to work on his feedings and his bilirubin levels coming down.
From Rob and Staci
mullinax@ev1.net (Houston, TX) We wanted to announce the birth of our daughter, Naomi, born January 6, 2004. She was born at 36 weeks by c-section because my liver enzymes and BP started going up again. My son was born in 2002 at 35 weeks due to severe HELLP, but is healthy, now. Naomi is healthy and so am I. I saw a maternal fetal specialist this time, and I believe it made all the difference. We caught the HELLP early enough, before things got out of control. We are so glad we decided to have another baby! There is hope after HELLP!
From Jennifer
cdjraskay@earthlink.net (Broomfield, CO) We have a second son! Our first son, Dylan Jack, was born in 3/27/02 at 31 weeks because I had HELLP syndrome. He is now almost 2 and on track physically and developmentally. We welcomed Kyle William on 1/16/04 via planned c-section. I was 39.5 weeks, so Kyle was a healthy 6 lbs, 15 ozs! I was monitored closely during this pregnancy with weekly appointments during the third trimester and frequent ultrasounds to check for growth. I took baby aspirin and prenatals, but other than that, I didn't do anything different. One thing I noticed is that I had more energy during this pregnancy than with my first, although I was exhausted by the time 37 weeks rolled around.
From Janine
dfitzt236@rogers.com (Ontario, Canada) We had a healthy baby girl Samantha Brianne on February 5th, 2004 HELLP free!. 6 lbs. 9 oz. I took baby aspirin, Vit C, Vit E and calcium every day. I had ultrasounds every 2 weeks from 16 weeks to 36 weeks. She was born at 37 weeks via c-section because she was breech. At week 36 the doctors tried to do an External Version (turning of the baby) but were unsuccessful, so we booked the section.
We are glad this scary pregnancy is finally over and Samantha is the most beautiful baby in the world....and she was delivered HELLP free best of all. Our next pregnancy won't be monitored as closely, but the doctors said we will cross that bridge when the next pregnancy happens. They are always looking at new studies. They also said there was no way to tell if the baby aspirin and everything actually prevented HELLP syndrome, but that they were happy that I had a successful pregnancy. (Previous pregnancy loss of Tyler David at 26 weeks Aug 19,2002 due to SEVERE HELLP.) So, for all of you out there that are struggling with a subsequent pregnancy after HELLP, There is hope, and we are proof! Good luck to you all.
From Brent and Tricia
safety1@nbnet.nb.ca (Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada)
We just had our second baby. Landon Jacob Brent was born January 24, 2004 at 36 weeks due to HELLP. He weighted a big 5 pounds 4 ounces. Chandler, our first born, was born at 34 weeks, 4 pounds, also due to HELLP.
From Kathy & Bob
nhmetz@adelphia.net (North Conway, NH) On February 3, 2004 my wife gave birth to a healthy baby boy 8 lb. 12 oz. with no symptoms of HELLP. He is truly the joy of our lives. God bless you all for helping us through one of the most difficult times in our lives. Keep the Faith. We will be in touch.
From Melissa
mvaswani@scgov.net (Venice, FL) Our baby girl, Madelyn Brooke, arrived February 5th at 9:15am. She weighed 6 lbs, 7 oz and was 19-3/4 inches long. We are all doing great.
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