Incident in Greece

[bf_1967]

Good morning from Greece.
I found your site and decided post the whole story,trying to find infos after the loss of my sister Christina (age 35) who passed away from postpartum HELLP last Wednesday 9 of November.
Here below is the whole story of the incident.
The whole pregnancy period was perfect without signs or symptoms that any problem could may raise.Her exams during all these 9 months was normal.
On Monday 7 of November around 11 am she gave birth at 2 healthy babies (boy and girl)with c section.
Everything was ok initially (actually she breastfeed the boy 3 times on Monday (the girl should stay at the incubator for weight control)
On Tuesday morning around 10 am she began to complain for pain in the back,she felt dizzy and she was sweating.
Doctors proceeded immediately to MRI and blood tests and they decided to make a surgery (on abt 2 pm) where the uterus has been removed to prevent bleeding.
Around 18.30 they informed us for the situation.
Total damage to the liver,DIC and the kidneys could not function properly.
They decided to transfer her to another hospital where there was the(i dont know the exact definition in English)machine that could help her kidneys function again.
After one hour the informed us that the things are getting better and the transfer is not necessary any more as the kidneys function properly,her bp was abt 120 and her hematocrit has been increased to 32.
Two hours later she was stabilized,the kidneys function was ok and they told us that now we have to wait the liver.
Unfortunately on around 23.30 they informed us that things getting worst and they had to transfer her.
We arrived on the on the other hospital on abt 01 am.
The situation was really critical,she started to collapse,kidneys did not function at all,they gave her 14 units blood and 20 units plasma without any positive result.Finally her lungs bleed and she passed away from heart arrest on abt 3 am.
They told us that it was really very difficult incident and the did whatever they could.(Her ob is friend of the family 25 years now and he is the doctor of my other sister in 3 healthy childs)
Also an autopsy took place and the forensic inform us abt the same.
The situation was really fatal.
Her liver for example found to be 4500gr.
Thank you for your attention.
I would like your comments.

Ps
Apologize for my English

[Lee2011]

Words cannot express my sadness at reading your and your sister's story. My thoughts go out to you and her family.

**HUG**

[tree]

I am so sorry for the loss of your sister. HELLP is a terrible disease.

[eleni]

Sylipitiria. O Theos na tin anapafsi.

I am so sorry for your loss. This is a very tragic situation for your whole family and no doubt you have many questions about how this could happen. It seems senseless that women would die in childbirth in our modern era, but sadly they do - often because of preeclampsia (HELLP syndrome is considered a variant of preeclampsia.) Here is a link to more information about HELLP syndrome on our website. http://www.preeclampsia.org/health-info ... p-syndrome

Of course, we are not doctors and do not know the details of her medical case, but it sounds like they were attentive to her deteriorating situation. By the way, the word you were looking for is "dialysis" - the process where the blood is filtered through a machine because the kidneys no longer function properly. Depending on how much detailed information you want on HELLP syndrome, we can send you links to more scientific papers, too.

You may want to consult with other doctors in Greece who specialize in complications of pregnancy. I will have to look when I get back to my office, but I believe I have some names that I can send you. Are you in Athens?

We have other families who interact with our Foundation and some are on this Forum who have lost mothers due to preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome... you are not alone!

Sending my thoughts and prayers across the way to Ellatha!

Eleni

(If you are more comfortable responding in Greek, I will do my best to translate and get back to you in Greek.)

[caryn]

I am so, so very sorry. This disease is just brutal.

[bf_1967]

thank you all for your support

@Eleni
Yes we are in Athens.
I have spoken with 2-3 other obs as well as with the specialists that made the autopsy.
All of them told me the same thing:
The situation was really bad.One of them added that postpartum HELLP should be called *.
In any case if there is any intention of the family to hear some other opinions i ll let you know.

[brandib]

I'm so sorry for your loss. We grieve with you. ( hugs and prayers).

[ktsl123]

I am so sorry for your loss.