Monday, November 9, 2009

Monday Me: I Survived HELLP Syndrome

When I was pregnant with the twins, I expected them to come early, but figured that meant a month, not six weeks. So, at my weekly check up, I was more than shocked when my doctor told me I was going to be a mom that day. I had HELLP Syndrome for which the only cure is immediate delivery.

My doctor knew me pretty well. His decision to not explain HELLP Syndrome to me was a wise one. If I’d known my life was in danger, I’d have freaked out. HELLP Syndrome, which stands for hemolysis (the destruction of red blood cells), elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count, is a rare complication of preeclampsia, but often occurs before symptoms of preeclampsia appear. That’s what happened to me. I had no idea my organs were shutting down. In fact, I’d just gone for an ultrasound and the twins had passed all their tests, so I was ecstatic. Not to mention, I felt FINE.

I wasn’t fine though. My blood pressure was high, so the nurse had me lay on my side. When it didn’t return to normal, I was instructed to go to the lab for urine and blood tests. At this point, I still had no idea there was a problem. It wasn’t until the doctor came into my room announcing it was the twins’ birthday that everything started to unravel. Because I live in a small town that isn’t properly equipped to handle premature babies, I was rushed by ambulance to the nearest large city, an hour away.

I’m thanking my lucky stars that I had an appointment that day. Otherwise, I would’ve died. Kind of scary. Even writing about it years later still affects me.

15 comments:

  1. Wow! I probably would've freaked had I known as well, so good on the doctor for keeping you calm.

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  2. Thank the Lord you were in good hands!

    What a testimony, thank you for sharing this.

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  3. That is terrifying to think about! Thank goodness for your appointment and for your wonderful doctor.

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  4. Thank God for good doctors! So glad everything worked out. I wonder how many times you'll be able to write about it in years to come?

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  5. Geez, that is so scary. :( Thank goodness you had a doctor who acted quickly. I've never even heard of that condition.

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  6. Wow, Lynette! I had a very similar experience with my twins. I went to a routine doctors appointment and found out I was 7 cm dialated and in labor. I had no idea. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital that had the NICU in a neighboring town. I held off for a week, a torturous week lying nearly upside down and eating ice chips. But then they decided to do a c-section. My twins were born at 31 weeks and only weighed three pounds each. They had to stay in the NICU for a month. It was one of the hardest things I've ever gone through. Thankfully, they're beautiful 10 year olds today!

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  7. Oh, Lynnette, that is a very scary story. I am so thankful you are okay and your babies as well!

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  8. Wow, that would've scared me. I do believe that "ignorance is bliss" a lot of the time.

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  9. How scary! I'm so glad you're still around to tell the story.

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  10. That would have been so scary! But God was faithful to you and your family, and right on time. Isn't he so good!

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  11. Freaks me out just reading about it. I'm glad you survived.

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  12. That is very scary. I'm curious, did you have any side effects after? Does it happen mainly to women carrying multiples? I'm so glad you made it through.

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  13. I would've freaked! I'm glad everything worked out for you and your girls.

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  14. Isn't it comforting to look back and see the perfect guidance that gets us through some tough situations?

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  15. Thanks everyone. I was very lucky and can't thank my doctors enough for saving my life.

    Lynnette Labelle

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