Why did they keep checking my blood after my csec?

[jean]

When I got hellp, the nurses continued to test and check my blood even after my c-section. Does anyone know why? I just wonder b/c I know there's nothing more that can be done after you deliver. (And I ask because I'm needle phobic...my arms were so bruised and sore from my platelets being low, and even though I was on morphine, it was causing me a lot of extra pain and stress..)

[lilysmommymindy]

They did the same with me. I *think* it was to ensure that my levels were reversing, and I required three platelet transfusions during the section so to probably make sure I didn't need more. They took tons of blood but the csection did the trick and everything slowly went back to normal. But yeah, pretty sure they're just keeping tabs on the progress. We'll see what others think!

[eleni]

Although it is less common, preeclampsia - including HELLP - can get worse post partum. Those first 48 hours especially are critical so it's not surprising that your health care providers want to be careful. Keep the long view in mind and hang in there! Wear your bruises as your "badge of courage"

Eleni

[jean]

Yeah I've read that it can get worse postpartum, but I didn't think that anything more could be done for you after you deliver (?)
This is off topic kind of, but lilysmommymindy-what do they do with a transfusion? Put blood in your sytem through an IV? I was just curious.

[jenprzygoda]

My HELLP got worse after my c-section and they gave me two units of platelets the day AFTER my son was born. I think that they check to much to determine if there is anything that they can do to help while your body is getting better after deliver.

[lilysmommymindy]

Yup, I was still under the knife and they were attempting to close things up, I was pretty drugged up and the mag definitely made me groggy but I remember hearing them order type specific platelets, they used three units by the end, all IV. The blood draw they took after the csection revealed my platelets were really low (even after the transfusions) and told me if we had waited any longer they would've had to put me under general anesthesia. Luckily, my body began to heal pretty quickly and I didn't need anymore platelets. It was pretty scary hearing the drs order it and I remember them saying 'she's oozing,' again and again. I'm so grateful to those platelet donors, I really want to donate so I can help others! Anyway, im blabbing...sorry!

[kmb1419]

This happened to me as well. I remember asking them if they could please use my other arm as I was all black and blue. Because of the IV, they couldn't. I remember thinking that I looked like a druggie with all those needle marks. Ugh! It was horrible. I'm sorry it stressed you out.

[tracym]

They will still treat HELLP post delivery. They're trying to save your life, they're not going to just get the baby out and call it quits. Whether or not those treatments are effective is a seperate issue but if you survived then you can say they were.