post partum HELLP

[brismom]

Did anyone suffer from Postpartum HELLP? If so, what did your MFS tell you about HELLP in a subsequent pregnancy?

[rwpokluda]

I did. My son was born at 25 weeks and a week later I relapsed twice. My platelets kept dropping and Liver decided it wasn't ready to be well. I was in serious pain and very ill just as I was the first time around. I was put in the hospital for a week with 2 days of mag and with high bp that would also not settle. I ended up having to be in a wheel chair for the following 6 weeks until we could get my bp under control. Every time I went to stand up my bp would either sky rocket or plumit. Becuase I had HELLP and PE so early on and so severely my dr (who's main focus is on PE & HELLP) has said that there is more than 50% chance i will develop PE again at some point, a good chance of HELLP as well and I will have to be watched very closely post-partum because since I rellapsed once before, I prob will again. However, he also said I am a VERY A-Typical patient, becuase I have history of issues. So that is not to say that if you did before and have been healthy your entire life, that you would relapse again. I do know that once you have HELLP, it is such a more severe form of PE that your chances of developing PE & HELLP again are higher than most others. And since you had post partum once, your chances are also higher than others to develop it again. You will need to be watched more closely for symptoms as well as make sure you find a good dr that will do a thourough blood workup on you before you get preggers to make sure there is no underlying issue causing the HELLP. He did tell me that if we decide to try I will need to be on a LDA (low dose aspirin) every day along with folic acid.

[brismom]

Wow
I have never heard of relapsing. I thought once you had it that was it. One thing none of the high risk specialists mentioned is aspirin therapy. I've heard people taking it so perhaps I should ask my OB should I get pregnant again. Aside from fibromyalgia now, I am relatively healthy. I was in great shape when I had my daughter and developed postpartum HELLP and wonder if that is why I only got a mild case. I started yoga which I love and feel that has helped me tremendously. I have been tested for all kinds of clotting disorders and nothing, thankfully, turned up.
Good luck in your decision!