Help Dealing with Severe PE and HELLP

[momma1408]

I am a 21 year old from the Cleveland area and I just had a beautiful baby boy at 32 weeks gestational age January 4, 2008. I was diagnosed with severe PE when I went into the hospital because I couldn't breathe and it almost felt like I was having a heart attack or something. I was induced into labor within a few hours and then 22 hours later my son was born unable to breathe on his own. He was intibated and rushed to the NICU. I was unable to see my son until after 24 hourse because I had to stay on the Magnesium. Even though it has almost been 2 months since delivery I am still having difficulties getting over my experience. I have a wonderful fiance who is trying his best to help me but he has no idea what it is like to go through from my perspective. I just need some ideas on how others dealt with their experiences to help them cope with it. Any ideas or tips would be greatly appreciated

[aundapenner]

Holly - first off, congratulations on your baby boy!

I am originally from Lorain County and we just sold our house in Lakewood. Henry was born in Cleveland, at 34 weeks.

I would encourage you to speak with your doctor - either your OB or your regular doc, about your emotions. It is not uncommon to have post-traumatic stress disorder or post-partum depression.

Personally, I am still going through post-partum depression 22 months later.

Don't try to "get over it". But rather try to accept it as a part of you, a part of what makes you who you are and what has given you your son.

I've also found that while DH is incredibly supportive, he just doesn't "get" it like the women here do.

I also requested my medical records - from both the hospital and my ob.

We're not allowed to use facility or doctor names here, but if you want to email me privately (through my username) I'd be glad to help you figure out how to get your records. Getting them has helped me put things into perspective. I also requested Henry's medical records from the NICU - every time I read through both his and mine, I glean some new information.

How is your son? How are you?

[blythe]

Welcome, Holly, though I'm so sorry you had to find us. You sound like you were hit by a train a few months ago - which isn't a bad analogy for what happened to your body and your emotions now. Alice is right, PTSD symptoms seem very common for those of us on these boards. Type "PTSD" into the search field for the website (top right part of the page) and you'll find lots of discussions that may help you feel less alone!

I always refer women to the Birth Trauma Association
http://www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk/
I haven't looked in depth at the site for a while, so let me know what you think, but I like how they started and they have a lot of resources and suggestions.

the original study behind the formation of the BTA -
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14726774
"Birth trauma: in the eye of the beholder"

You can also spend lots of time here asking questions and talking about what happened to you. I noticed you posted here and in HELLP..., you might also want to check out "Ask the Experienced" and other forum sections.

Most importantly, be gentle with yourself. You've been through a lot.