HELLP Syndrome

What are the symptoms of HELLP syndrome?

HELLP syndrome stands for Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzyme levels and a Low Platelet count. Although it is a rare condition, HELLP syndrome is a very serious complication that some pregnant women will develop.

Usually, the condition will start quickly. Most women will develop the illness during the third trimester or soon after the birth of their baby. The causes of HELLP syndrome are not known. Although there are no known causes for developing the illness, caucasian women over the age of 25 are more likely to experience the illness. Studies show that you are more likely to experience HELLP syndrome if you have had a child before or if you have suffered from a complication with a previous pregnancy. However, any pregnant woman can get HELLP syndrome. The majority of women that develop the condition have blood pressure complications before developing HELLP syndrome.

The symptoms of HELLP syndrome can often be hard to diagnose since they are similar to the symptoms that most women experience late in pregnancy anyways. Common signs and symptoms of HELLP syndrome are fatigue, pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen, headaches, nausea and/or vomiting and swelling in the face and hands.

It is important to speak to your healthcare provider about any problems you experience during your pregnancy. If you present to your doctor with the signs of HELLP, you may be given a blood test to determine the cause of your symptoms. If your doctor diagnoses you with HELLP syndrome, the best treatment is to deliver your baby. If you are close to or at term, you will likely be induced. However, if your doctor thinks it is best for you to remain pregnant and you are not too sick, you will likely be admitted to the hospital and monitored. During this time, you will receive steroids that will help your baby's lungs to mature in the event of an early delivery.

Comments: HELLP Syndrome

Comments 1 to 7 of about 7.

Firsttymmama - 367 days ago.
hello ladies, i was pregnant last year and as soon as i hit my 6th mnth preg i was so swollen and had high bp and was leaking automic fluid so on the 4th of jan 2012 i had my baby girl by c-section. she was fine for 1st 2 days then she went down hill from er, apparently my cervix had opened and i leaked alot of flued out (in the prcess my fluid got infected which in turn infected babys blood) was in hospital for a month then doc cld not see her thru scanning coz my fluid were so infected. she passed away on the 7th day. it was such a difficult time for me and my family as this was my 1st preg and baby as i have PCOS. after i had given birth i had a terrible pain in my right calf, after i left hospital i went to my GP and he sent me for a scan whe they notcied i had extensive blood clot in my thigh. i cld hardly walk it hurt so much. GP was so upset of how cld the hospital let me out knowing i had DVT. now i have been on Warfarin for 5 months got another month to go. planning to try again next year but so afraid tht it will all happen again i cld never go thru tht again. take care

kbfulloffaith - 1023 days ago.
Cheryl - were you tested for any underlying conditions that might have contributed to HELLP? I was, and they found two blood clotting disorders, Factor V and MTHFR so if we get pregnant again, we are TTC now I'll be on 1 low dose aspiring, 1 folic acid vitamin, 1 prenatal and then a shot of Lovenox to help me get farther. I delivered at 26 weeks two years ago and we lost our daughter. I am hoping for a better outcome this time.

cheryl-and-baby - 1038 days ago.
Hi, I am currently pregnant with #2 and with #1, I had the HELLP syndrome which caused me to have an emergency C-Section. Just wondering if there is anything I can do to try and help prevent it this time around?? Glad to hear things went good Jensip with your pregnancies after. That gives me hope : )

Jensip - 1245 days ago.
I too had this in my 1st pregnancy. Midwife flagged it off and said it was food poisoning. She was wrong my daughter was born in an emergency c-section and me 3 blood tranfusions later. I have had 2 normal pregnancys and no issues or any signs of HELLP.

memphismom - 1307 days ago.
I had this with my 1st pregnancy and delivered at 34 wks...all the warning signs were there i just misinterpreted them...my neck was swollen and I had lots of upper abd pain...I am pregnant with my 2nd and praying for the best

kbfulloffaith - 1411 days ago.
For anyone who's had it - this site is also great... there is an entire forum on HELLP http://preeclampsia.org/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=100

kbfulloffaith - 1558 days ago.
Has anyone suffered from HELLP and gone on and tried to have another baby? I had a specialist indicate that by taking the blood thinners and keeping my blood pressure under control I should be able to carry to term.