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From Anne Garrett
Founder of the Preeclampsia Foundation: Preeclampsia Foundation member and March of Dimes volunteer, Rebecca Johnson, Vogue contributing editor and author of Sunday, NY Times Magazine cover story, 'Luke & Me' (August 25, 2002 article detailing the loss of her first child due to preeclampsia) appeared on the NBC's Today Show, September 24 talking about her experience with preeclampsia and its link to premature birth. Check it out at http://www.msnbc.com/news/970874.asp
From Denise
Oneyodafan@aol.com (Wausau, WI) We are talking about trying to get pregnant for a second child next year. My OB states the risk of developing HELLP again is extremely low and probably won't consider me a high risk pregnancy. I have talked to a few nurses at my insurance company that I know personally, and they state I should be a high risk pregnancy. I love my OB and he was fantastic in discovering the HELLP and getting us through it, but I am confused about what I should be doing possibly to help avoid getting HELLP again. I've read about baby aspirin, etc and wonder if there is any clear suggestion on how to go about caring for myself and baby when pregnancy again. Does anyone have any ideas or advice?
From Beth
Purplerayn18@aol.com I am an identical twin. My twin delivered a healthy boy 4 months after I had HELLP and never had preeclampsia or HELLP. The doctors told me when I was recovering that the father of the baby determines the mother having HELLP. I have not found that in any of the research that you have sent me. Is that true? All I have seen is that they think it is hereditary, but if we have the same DNA it seems that she would have had it too. Please let me know because I am really curious. Thank you so much,
From Georgia
Jwsprost@aol.com I have had three deliveries. My first and worse delivery was October 1990. I delivered my daughter. She was healthy and weighed 5 lb. 2 oz. 3 weeks early. At delivery my blood pressure was 280/140. I was instantly dosed with Morphine due to the immense pain, and to lower my blood pressure. I had to be transported to another hospital and was admitted into ICU. My liver was already swollen and bleeding. I had two blood transfusions and three bags of fresh plasma with in 48 hours. I also had pressure pants on in order to keep my liver from exploding. My family was told that I could be in ICU for 3 to 4 weeks. I was out of ICU and in a room for 2 days and went home. For the next week I experienced lightheadedness and my depth perception was way off. I could hardly walk straight. By the end of the first week I was back in the hospital with multiple pulmonary emboli (Blood Clots in the lungs).I ended up staying for 3 weeks. The doctors had no idea why I got the clots. After my third child I was diagnosed with Factor V. Leiden. My daughter was also diagnosed with Factor V leiden. After 4 months I was still trying to get my body back into working order. I had to have a kidney biopsy because my kidneys where still spilling protein. After many months of steroids the protein finally was under control. I was diagnosed with scleroses of the kidneys.
My second child was born in April 1993 and was a fairly good pregnancy and delivery. The doctors, 5 of them, had suggested that I terminate that pregnancy. I told them that I would be fine and so will the baby. Well, I was fine up to the very end. Then HELLP kicked in, my second daughter was born 4 days late and weighed in at 7 lb. 10 oz. perfectly healthy. I stayed for 5 days after that delivery, went home and with in a week, was back in the hospital with a PE, stayed 2 weeks.
My third child was born July 1997. My son was delivered 4 weeks early. He weighed 5 lb. 3 oz. The doctor induced me because my platelets where very low and he did not want to risk losing either one of us. It took only 5 days for me to recover from the effects of HELLP. And yes, I did get another blood clot in my lungs. I stayed for only 3 more days. He was in NICU for 11 days. He was not eating or digesting for the first 10 days of his life. The doctor told me that my son would follow the preemie line on the growth chart. Well, not my son. By eight months he was bigger then most 10 month olds. He is 6 years old now. He has been diagnosed with Wolf Parkinson White Syndrome (WPW).I wonder if being born early has anything to do with him getting WPW.
I would like to know if anyone else has had all three Toxemia, HELLP, and Factor V. Leiden. Good luck to all of you who have had to or are now dealing with any one of these problems.
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