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Marsha's Story

Having lost one baby to antiphospholipid Syndrome when she didn't feel well at 24 wk. she was dismissed as having heartburn and sent home. HELLP surfaced this time and Caleb was born at 1pound. 


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Updated 10/11/00

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Pregnancy, Labor & Delivery - problems & complications

HELLP syndrome continues to be a diagnostic and management dilemma 

FOD Fatty Oxidation Disorder Communication Network

Herbs to treat mild rising of blood pressure?

Does Snoring affect a Pregnant Mom & her Blood Pressure?

Is there a test out there to screen for  Toxemia?
 
 


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The Effects of PIH/HELLP Syndrome
on Mom & Bab

After deliver stabilization is marked by decreasing blood pressure, increasing urine output and decreased edema and protein found in the urine. BP should return to the pre pregnancy baseline within the first few weeks postpartum. Failure of blood pressure to return to normal should be reported and the patient should be monitored for potential chronic hypertension. 

Patients with pre-eclampsia remote from term are reportedly at increased risk for undiagnosed renal disease. There is also found to be a high incidence of essential chronic hypertension. Also a women with severe pre eclampsia remote from term may have underlying renal disease for which they should be evaluated after delivery. Mothers with HELLP are at increased risk for liver rupture, DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation), abruptio placentae, and acute renal failure (sudden drop in kidney function). The risk of liver rupture, sub capsular hematoma and infarction (death of a body of tissue), hypoglycemia, pancreatis, pseudocyst (a cluster of toxoplasmas in an enucleate host cell) formation and neurologic complications continues postpartum, adult respiratory distress syndrome & pulmonary edema.

Stroke risks of both cerebral infarction and ICH are increased in the 6 wk period after delivery but not during pregnancy itself . Massive hepatic necrosis and a variety of neurologic and cardiac abnormalities have been reported in several cases. 

The convulsive phase of pre-eclampsia - eclampsia is a leading cause of maternal death in this disease. The mechanisms leading to these convulsions are not known; Vasospasms (the contracting and relaxing of your blood vessels) leading to severe ischemia or hemorrhage being the more popular hypothesis, but brain edema and hypertensive encephalopathy have also been implicated. 

Is has been found that low magnesium, in the person AND in the amniotic fluid, are directly related to the incidence of eclampsia. It is also known that magnesium is one of the most difficult minerals to absorb even with a normally functioning intestinal lining. 
Read here about the *
*link between Migraines and Magnesium
Migraine and Stroke in Young Women
Do you know enough information about Stoke?
Do you know the relation between stroke an Migraines?

PIH can also adversely affect the fetus. Blood flow to the uterus and placenta is insufficient consequently this insufficiency may include IUGR and death. An abnormally small placenta with a reduced blood flow leads to IUGR and increases the risk of fetal hypoxia during labor. Perinatal death was due to large placental infarcts, abruption placentae, IUGR and intrauterine asphyxia and prematurity. Babies are sometimes diagnosed with thrombocytopenia and leukopenia in mothers of HELLP. 

     Slow growth while in the womb called IUGR
     Need more help breathing at birth (resuscitation) 
     More likely to need oxygen in the hours after birth 
     Low Blood Sugar 
     High number of Red Blood Cells 
     Low number of White Blood Cells 
     Low number of Platelets 
     Patent Ductus Arteriosus 
     Slow to feed 
     Low muscle tone - it's interesting to note that    magnesium given    to the mother may also affect the ability of the baby to pass it's meconium or stool for several days.
     Low Calcium 
     Low Blood Pressure 

Still looking for more HELLP information?  Chances of PIH/HELLP in subsequent Pregnancies will take you to the next page.  Also if you have a HELLP story to share please stop by the HELLP Syndrome Birth Stories Page and leave or read a story.  Here you will also find up to date HELLP/Pre-E net articles and books.  You will also find WebRing information at the above listed url.


Introduction to PIH/HELLP

Signs of PIH/HELLP

Effects of HELLP on Mother & Child

Chances of PIH/HELLP in subsequent Pregnancies

Prevention

My Body After HELLP

If you have an HELLP Syndrome story please take a moment to share it with us.  Please tell us what lead up to your having HELLP and what the outcome was and how you are doing today and whether you have had any pregnancies since having HELLP.
Click here to share your story!
   


Journals: Read the passages of moms who are going through or who have went through another pregnancy after having HELLP.
Julie's Pregnancy Journal
Amber's Pregnancy Journal
 
What is the link with Migraines? 10/11/00
Link between Migraines and Magnesium ?
Migraine and Stroke in Young Women 
 Do you know enough information about Stoke? 
Do you know the relation between stroke an Migraines?

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This site is not intended to replace your OB, Dr. or medical care.
If you are looking for medical care please consult your physician.
The information provided on these pages are not intended to make a
diagnosis of a particular problem nor provide a cure.
Your health and the the health of your baby should be overseen
by a qualified professional.
12/16/00