Here is an encouraging post I found in one of my groups that I belong to. www.hellpsyndrome@yahoogroups.com
Hi all! My name is Dee, I suffered with the Hellp Syndrome back in 1997 it was my first pregnancy and my dr at that time thought I was a hypochondriac because everything hurt and I felt terrible, finally at 24 1/2 weeks I started preterm labor and was hospitalized my bp was 180 over 120 walking - finally got to see the specialists - with severe pre eclampsia, hellp syndrome and an undiagnosed case of lupus. My baby was born at 26 weeks - 1lb 1oz at 1:40 on the first of June measuring 1ft 1 inch I named my son Adam. We had such a hard struggle in the Nicu and I was able to take my baby home after 3 months. He unfortunately passed away at 6 1/2 months from a fatal heart arythmia. My heart was broken as you can all imagine. A few months later I found myself pregnant again and started seeing a specialist right away he told me we would take it day by day, I was on moderate bed rest from week 8 - had to take shots of lovenix and heparin every day. My Michael was born at 37 weeks and he was 5lbs 6ozs. Before Michael turned a year old we moved to Fl and I looked for new dr's NOT that I was planning any more kids but in case, I did want a dr that knew of HELLP and found that there were not that many. One dr offered to give me hysterectomy because I was just lucky to have Michael and should never think of more children, sadly many dr's felt that way. 5 years after being here in FL I got the news I was having another baby. I was so saddened because a lot of the dr's felt I should terminate because they didn't know enough about Hellp and didn't want to try. So I called the local hospitals with level 3 NICU's to see who they would recommend. Met a wonderful dr who in turn wanted to learn everything he could about HELLP syndrome. He got a wonderful team together and thru learning about Hellp with me he was able to diagnose some other patients that he also thought were just hypochondriacs with Hellp. My last baby Nicolas was born on 10/30 weighing a big 6lbs 13ozs. I wanted to share that with those who have been told you can never have another baby after having Hellp the first time. My last pregnancy was very closely monitored and everything turned out great. I thank God and my wonderful dr's all the time! Please feel free to write me!!!!
I found this story very sad but encouraging. I wrote the words below.
Thanks so much Dee for sharing your story. We get much encouragement
hearing how others can go on to deliver a HELLP free baby!
Just this past Tuesday I went to a cardiologist for re occuring PVC's, light headedness, nausea
and low grade fever. I mentioned that I could possibly be pregnant but that it was too early to test. I told him my history of ITP in 98, having benign PVC's in 2002, diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2002, HELLP with my second pregnancy in 2003, and a miscarriage Aug. 2007. He had no clue what HELLP was so I went on to explain. His comment was "I wouldn't recommend any further pregnancies after having HELLP". He was an older doc probably in his late or early 60's. Given he didn't know anything about HELLP he should have kept that comment to himself! He did mention it more than once during our conversation. I then left to get an EKG and was ordered to come back for a holter monitor and stress test. Everything came back normal.. thank You Jesus!
I have had members of my family even tell me "maybe God is telling you something"... "that maybe you aren't meant to have anymore children". I guess they don't realize how much it hurts to hear those words. I know God put us on this earth to "Be fruitful and multiply". If I am not supposed to have any more children I think I would know it in my heart.
Back in Sept. of 2006, through much praying and with much strength from God, I found the courage to start TTC. I had my IUS removed, my headaches stopped and I felt free from the pain. For the first time since my daughters birth I was sooooo ready to try again. My husband was away most of the days I was fertile so ttc was not in our favor. Finally, in June of 2007 my husband was home for over a month and I found out I was pregnant June 25, 2007. Three days later my mother-in-law passed away. She was fighting colon cancer for many years. The cancer spread to her lungs and liver. She was thrilled to know we were having another child and hopefully helped her pass on happily to heaven!
Anyhow, I miscarried Aug. 1st and again Dec. 16th of 2007. We are both frustrated but hopeful. We would like one more child and pray for another miracle this year!
Blessed hugs to all our moms!
PICTURE ABOVE IS OF MY HUSBAND CUDDLING EMILY'S KITTY. I GAVE THAT KITTY TO HIM BEFORE EMILY WAS BORN 2003...FOR HIM TO GIVE EMILY. EMILY ENJOYED SEEING DADDY HUG HER KITTY.
Tiffany Nicole
