Does HELLP present the same in subsequent pregnancy's?

[caryn]

There are a couple of underlying liver disorders or gallbladder disorders - really, I suppose, metabolic disorders - that present as this sort of pain that persists in pregnancy for weeks before elevating liver enzymes etc. present as HELLP. So I'm glad you're being watched closely.

Docs are used to thinking of HELLP as "liver enzymes in the thousands", but that's because the diagnostic tests look for hemolysis and elevated liver enzymes and low platelets and can't really pick up "pain".

[Lee2011]

Just wondering how you are doing? And hope everything is going well.

I got my elective csection date today, just before christmas, and despite growth scans, liver scans and blood tests everything is looking "normal", so counting down the days!

[chica]

Hi there, I also have been wondering how you and bubs are doing. Have been following your story as I had a very similar experience to your first pregnancy (timing etc) and am pregnant again feeling anxious about heading into second half. I hope you have been receiving great care and all is well. Thoughts are with you.

[Stormborn]

Hi Ladies,

Still plodding along. I've been getting weekly urine tests and fortnightly bloods done and they are all still normal. I hit 36w + 6 on Monday, which is when I was admitted with DS / diagnosed the first time so am feeling a little more hopeful that HELLP may not come back. However the RUQ has increased significantly in the last 2 days so am going for another lot of bloods tomorrow just to see if there's any movement in platelets or liver enzymes. It's not as bad as it was with DS so if there is movement I doubt it'll be in the danger zone just yet. The high risk clinic started becoming more pro-active with their monitoring about 3 weeks ago as we approached DS's birth gestation. They were the ones who insisted on fortnightly bloods, more if I felt I needed it. Whereas before I was having to demand to be tested. It's been stressful in some ways but a relief in others.

My c-section is booked for the 19th December at 38w+2 so crossing fingers I'll make it till then. Been having a lot of painful tightenings across my lower stomach, down my thighs & tightening in my back (it's like a braxton hicks contraction but in my back not my belly, if that makes sense) for the past 2 days & my GP's nurse thinks it maybe pre-labour starting. I have no idea what to expect as I never had any of this with DS, we're in uncharted waters now and it's kinda scary!

Glad to hear you're going well Lee2011, we're both going to have a lovely Christmas present this year aren't we! When's your c-sec booked? will you be home for Christmas? All going to plan we will be discharged on Christmas Eve.

Thanks Chica. The anxiety is awful, I had to keep reminding myself that 'today I don't have HELLP so take a breath & enjoy being pregnant'.

[Lee2011]

Wow what a coincidence - I was c-sectioned on 19th December, baby girl Paige born weighing 6 pounds 15 (3.15kg), home after 2 nights in hospital and all going well. Platelets were 161 the week of the c-section (higher than they ever were with my son!). Terrible nausea continued throughout the 9 months though with me not able to keep anything down for 24 hours before c-section All better now and recovery going well plus we had a lovely Christmas.

Hope you and babe are doing well!!!!