|
From Tina
tvozzo@eis-inc.com (Frenchtown, NJ)
I am 17wks pregnant with my second child and nervous, but excited at the same time. I had an uneventful first pregnancy except for severe swelling. The resident told me swelling was normal, but I was worried when I started gaining weight really fast at about 7-1/2 months. I felt like the Michelin man when I walked- I could hear swooshing. I didn't have problems with my blood pressure, headaches or protein in my urine. The trouble started with a pain in my upper abdomen at 35 weeks. I went to work the next day thinking it was just indigestion, but everyone at work yelled at me for coming in and told me to go see my Dr. I attempted to reach her multiple times and finally called the office directly and told them my symptoms. I was told to come in and thank God I did because my bp was sky high. They wanted me to go to the hospital for some blood tests and sure enough once I was there, I was told that I'd have to be admitted to be watched more closely. Within a couple hours, I was told that I had to deliver within 24 hrs due to preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. We were scared to death. We weren't understanding everything that was going on. I was told that if my platelets dropped below 50, I would have to be transferred. The next day I was ambulanced to St. Peter's hospital where they could deliver me and my baby with a larger blood supply if necessary. My platelets did drop to 37 and I was in ICU for two days. My son was in NICU for 8 hrs, but since he had strong lungs, he was sent to the nursery in stepdown. I delivered naturally and was blessed with a 5lb 1oz healthy baby boy -Zacharyr. I too had a lot of doubts about having this next baby, but after seeking a consultation with a specialist, I was assured that though there is no guarantee that HELLP won't happen again, I would be watched closely this time to try to prevent any of the same symptoms. I felt a little relieved with that visit. I just hope that I make it to 36 weeks this time around. The Dr. at St. Peter's was so wonderful during my consultation and she went through all the questions I had. She said that she wouldn't categorize me as extremely high risk since I delivered at 35 weeks and not a number like 24 weeks. Of course, there is no way of knowing if and when it will strike again. I have a good feeling about this pregnancy. I was told that I could continue to see my Dr's at Hunterdon and they would let me know after 28 weeks whether I should seek further advice. I am trying to keep my spirits high. I kept wondering what I could have done differently to make my first pregnancy normal, but have since realized that the word "normal" should be omitted from my vocabulary. I believe there's an explanation for everything in life; we just might not like the answer we are given. I still find it amazing that the people I've read about with HELLP show little or no correlation to one another. I hope that the studies being done will help find more answers for women regarding HELLP. I honestly believe that all women should be educated about the possibilities of developing preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome not to scare them, but as a precaution. I had no idea what was happening to me at the time and also felt cheated with my pregnancy. I know I was lucky enough to be spared and blessed with an adorable, intelligent and sweet little boy. I thought it was time for Zach to have a sibling and decided to put my doubts aside for another wonderful blessing. Thanks for all your kind words and inspiration. Let's conquer this disease together.
From Scared
RICKALYSHA@aol.com I am writing to say that I am 17 weeks pregnant again as of 3/21/03 and am scared to death. I have a daughter, Arianna who was HELLP free and now 6, a son, Jarod, 3, who was born at 31 wks due to HELLP, and a daughter, Laiken who was born at 24 weeks due to HELLP on Sept. 15th, 2002 and only lived for an hour and a half. I miscarried twice before once again being able to conceive. I am taking Heparin shots twice a day, and had baby aspirin at the beginning, too. I also take Aldomet and Labetalol for my high b.p. that I never had before losing Laiken. I have been keeping my b.p. down, thank goodness and going to see my high-risk doctor every two weeks. It is reassuring to go more often and see my baby on the ultrasound. It looks like we are having a girl again and we are thrilled, but still so very scared. I had HELLP worse the second time, unlike most stories you hear, and pray it won't happen again. I will have another c-section as the last two were emergency c-sections, too. They say my uterus won't take another vaginal delivery without rupturing. I don't care anymore. I just want my baby to be healthy. They will probably take the baby at 36-38 weeks, if I make it that far. My husband, Rick, is looking forward to the baby, but is also very scared. He almost lost me twice and doesn't want to go through it again. Please keep us in your prayers. Thank you for having such a compassionate website for all of us who usually mention HELLP and get those odd looks, like what is that? I am grateful to you all.
From Marie
msoleilsauve@hotmail.com (Montreal, Quebec, CANADA) Hello everyone. After having suffered from severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome in may 2001, I am now 25 weeks pregnant. Everything is going well as far. It took me a long time to even think about trying to have a second child. Despite the intense fear during the first birth, my little Charlotte (who is now a wonderful, gifted and active 22 month-old) and I were OK. But, as you know, even with good endings, the HELLP story is a terrible story. I was terrified it could happen again. For over a year, I had nightmares about it. I finally decided to give my family and me another chance. This time, I am closely followed by a high-risk OB (my first OB never really thought HELLP syndrome was an issue in a second pregnancy) and hoping everything goes better than the first time. I'm on baby aspirin, an antioxidant cocktail and a low-stress lifestyle prescription since pre-conception. I'm staying positive and telling myself it could be a HELLP-free pregnancy like other members have proven possible. Send me some positive thoughts. If anyone wants to share her own positive experience of a second child, feel free to write to me (sorry for my terrible English, I'm a French-speaking Canadian). Thanks a lot and e sure we appreciate a lot the work you do for all of us!
From Amy
Amy.Pardue@coaccess.com (Denver, CO) I have not written in awhile, but I wanted to let everyone know that I am 7 weeks pregnant. In the last year I have had 5 miscarriages and 2 ectopics. We finally have a successful pregnancy so far. However, I had an ultrasound today and we saw the baby's heartbeat, but they said the baby was small for what it should be at 7 weeks. This brought back all of my feelings I had with the loss of my Lauren at 24 weeks in 2001. She had IUGR, and I developed HELLP, and she could not survive. I am so scared that this is a sign of bad things to come. I am on Heparin and baby aspirin and progesterone, so I think they are doing everything they can. The doctor did not seem too concerned and told me not to worry, but that is not going to happen.
[[--]]
|
|
