Anyone ever have HELLP?

[RUDisney]

My sister had an OB appointment on Friday and complained of severe back pain and dizziness. The dr. drew blood to see if she has HELLP. She should find out tomorrow.

He said that if it is confirmed, she will have to go on immediate bed rest until delivery. She is due in 3 weeks.

My questions... is HELLP as scary as it sounds? The thought of her liver rupturing is very scary and my Mom is going to travel to my sister's house if this is confirmed, to help out and to make sure that my sister stays in bed. The thought of her still being at risk for 4-6 weeks after delivery, while her liver shrinks to normal size is frightening. The thought of her son being born with complications... or, well... is very frightening.

Please spare a prayer for my sister. This is her first pregnancy and she and her DH struggled to get pregnant.

Any advice or experience that you'd like to share with HELLP will also be appreciated.

 

[amid chaos]

My sister had this her first delivery...she was VERY sick thru delivery and for several days after. She had no problems with her second baby.

A good friend also had this with her second baby...again...extremly sick during the birth and for days after.

I hope your sister is ok.

 

[Blondie]

Going into HELLP syndrome can be cause for concern. Usually by the time our patients go into HELLP they are extremely sick and are c-sectioned immediately.

Here is an explanation of what it is:

HELLP stands for H -- hemolytic anemia EL -- elevated liver enzymes LP -- low platelet count.

I found this on the web to help better explain it:

HELLP syndrome occurs in approximately 10% of pregnant women with pre-eclampsia or eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia may be mild or severe. Severe cases involve high blood pressure and protein in the urine and can progress to seizures (eclampsia). Severe cases are life-threatening to both mother and fetus. HELLP syndrome is associated with more serious cases.

It may occur long before a pregnancy reaches term (for example, HELLP at 30 weeks gestation). Many women have high blood pressure and are diagnosed with pre-eclampsia before they get HELLP syndrome. However, in some cases, HELLP symptoms are the first warning of pre-eclampsia and the condition is misdiagnosed as hepatitis, gallbladder disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

I hope your sister will be okay. Saying a prayer right now that her bloodwork turns out normal and that she continues to have a normal healthy pregnancy!