My daughter was born at twenty-four weeks because I had severe preclampsia and HELLP syndrome.

Posted On Monday, September 18, 2006  by

My daughter was born at twenty-four weeks because I had severe preclampsia and HELLP syndrome. The Wednesday before my daughter was born started out uneventful. I had a doctor's appointment scheduled. I already was diagnoised with high blood pressure, but I was put on meds and best rest and things seemed fine. Whenever I got to the doctor's office, the doctor was concerned so he sent me to Clarion for blood work and to the labor and delivery ward where I was to be giving a nonstress test.

Whenever I got there, I was admitted. They hooked me up to the nonstress test, put an iv in, and started running mag sulfate. They decided they were going to send me by ambulance down to DuBois because they are better equipped to handle high risk pregnancies. A nurse from Clarion Hospital rode along with us because they were afraid I'd seizure along the way. I got to DuBois that afternoon. After running several tests, they decided I'd be better of at Magee Women's Hospital. They said it didn't make sense to keep me there and have to lifeflight my baby to Pittsburgh. Once again that day I got a fun trip in the ambulance with a nurse from DuBois because they were afraid I'd seizure along the way.

Things came to a complete hault on Thursday. The team of doctors came into my room and said my husband and I had to make the choice whether or not to stay pregnant. My liver enzymes kept raising dangerously high and my platelet count was dropping drastically. I felt terrible being on the mag sulfate and my body hurt all over. We decided to have her early and hope for the best. The doctors said they were shocked by our decision. They asked us why we decided the way we did. I said I was so tired and hurt so bad. The doctor said it was probably just coming from the mag sulfate and they were planning on taking me off of it soon. We decided to keep trying then.

I lasted another three days. On Sunday night I was having severe stomach pains. I later found out it was my liver shutting down. The doctors gave me some meds for the pain and then ran some tests. My liver enzymes were over a thousand. The doctors told my dad he'd never seen anyone's go as high. My platelet counts were dangerously low. They were afraid I'd hemmorage. After running several tests, the doctors deemed to too dangerous for me to stay pregnant. I'd already had the steriod shots so we knew Abigail had a 50/50 chance. The doctors kept telling us throughout the week that they'd only intervene if she weighed at least 500grams. The docotors said it wouldn't be fair to her if she were any smaller to try and save. My husband and I braced ourselves mentally.

Abigail had been stubborn my whole pregnancy so I figured she'd pass with flying colors. We heard her heartbeat at ten weeks (nurse said that's extremely early). Everytime I was hooked up for a nonstress test, she'd kick the nurse's hand away. During tests with her sonogram she's stick her tongue out at us and she even waved!

At 7:30pm I was wheeled to the OR for an emergency c-section. At first they didn't think my husband could go in with me because of how swollen I was. Luckily though they got the epidural in and he was allowed to be with me.

At 7:43 Abigail Elizabeth was born. She weighed one pound and was twelve inches long. She only weighed 450grams. The nurse wrapped her up, handed her to my husband, and said there was nothing they could do. Our world fell apart.

We got to hold her several hours before she passed away. My husband, parents, and in-laws all got to hold her while I was still in surgery. Once I was finished, I was able to hold her. I didn't let go until she stopped breathing. She literally died in my arms!