long lasting after effects of preeclampsia & HELLP?

Lorraine - posted 3 days ago

Hello my name is Lorraine and i am 2.3 mouths after giving birth and i still have problems with my blood prusure. liver funtions and kidneys

Kellie - posted on 04/25/2013

Gosh Larry that is scary. Very sad for you and your children. When I had HELLP they said it wa very rare so I was amazed to see so many people who have had it. Even of we are in different countries lol. I did not feel sick as such when I had HELLP and wondered why everyone was fussing over me. The nurses had an argument out the front of my door about how fast my drip should feed through. At this stage I did not know I had HELLP or if they told me u missed it. I remember walking to the door and saying "girls calm down I am not going to die". One of the nurses (who was doing her first shift from maternity leave). Said tO me that the least u say the better". I just did not feel sick so felt they were being fussy, after u was home with my son I walked down the road to have my daily BP checked and a girl came up to me and introduced herself and said I was so sick I prob would not remember her, to which I did not. I was embarrassed at this as Hee next comment flawed me. She said I was the main nurse looking after you in coronary care and we just can not believe you pulled though, we all honestly did not think you would make it". It was then I thought how serious it must have been. When I was being admitted after an anti natal visit the doctor said they will never take anyone at face value if a pregnant woman says they are ok. Once I was in the maternity ward I had students asking me questions and I was their case study, to which I did not mind a bit. Thankfully I have a beautiful nearly six year old son.

Larry - posted on 04/25/2013

For whatever it's worth, would like to relate the story of my wife. When she was pregnant 16 years ago with our first child, she too suffered from HELPP syndrome. She ended up in ICU for over a week and almost died. We then went on to have 2 more healthy children, all delivered via C-section. Approximately 14 years later my wife suffered a severe brain aneurysm. No one could ever tell us if the two were related. Unfortunately, my wife suffered a second aneurysm in Feb and died as a result. Just hope someone reads this and maybe can avoid the same happening to another family.

Kellie - posted on 04/25/2013

I had HELLP syndrome and had to have an emergency C section. I saw my son about 5 hours after he was born. They kept me on coronary care for three days. I was so worried my little boy would not recognize me as his mum. (sounds silly I know). I was concerned not having skin on skin he would not know mummy's scent. I finally was able to have a propper hold of my baby when he was nearly four days old. I still have a little guilt trip he had to come into this world on his own so to speak. (he was born 04/07/2007. I still get massive headaches, giddiness, blurred vision, and still taking medication for high blood pressure. In the last 6 months I have started to experience sore legs, but not sure if it is my legs or hips. Unfortunately not a lot of people seem to know much about HELLP syndrome. I can usually tell when my blood pressure is sky high as I get a shocking pain through my chest like someone is trying to rip my heart out. I have an ECG done and it is all ok. Aparently something I get with high blood pressure.

Sharon - posted on 04/04/2013

My mom has had it for her whole life and so she is now seeing the next stages of complications but has it fully managed and that's right no moving to Alaska in your future Glad Florida and keep it mostly at bay

Kristin - posted on 04/04/2013

I wasn't taking any kind of supplements at the time my Reynaud's started. Although, I have done some research and have found that Birth Control pills can lead to Reynauds, and I have been on them for much of my life. So unsure as to which may have contributed to the problem. It's managable, as long as I stay warm. I live in Florida so as long as I don't move up north or to Alaska, I can probably continue to deal with the issue. Lol.
Cardiologists that I know said that I could take a certain med for it, but I won't cross that bridge till I need to.
We are also at a higher risk for stroke and coronary disease, so it's important to stay as fit and healthy as possible.
Good to hear that you got some good news. Sorry to hear about the breast cancer, but there are a lot of wonderful, successful treatments out there these days. Prayers are with you.
Thanks for the feedback!

Kristin - posted on 04/04/2013

My daughter was also born at 35 weeks and was 4lbs even. That's funny!

Sharon - posted on 04/02/2013

Kristen. Do you take turmeric for anti inflamation or. This vitin supplement might be worth a look as raymauds has a tendency to develop

Hellp hit me on a Sunday and I became a parent on the Wednesday. It took me about two years to feel good again and now I've got breast cancer and was worried about liver cancer. But I got the all clear today. Just stage three breast cancer crap
everyone says no correlation.

Sharon - posted on 04/02/2013

Is this an active conversation? Anyone interested still?

April - posted on 03/28/2013

Becki, glad I could make you feel a little better about it. I know what that fear can be like. Of course everyone is different, but if you do decide to have another baby, you will more than likely be referred to a high risk doctor this time, who will be watching you extra close....so that makes you feel a little better too. Also, after having an emergency c section, then any future pregnancies you have will ( more than likely) also be by csection, except it willl be a scheduled one next time. Which is kinda cool cuz there is no guessing about when its gonna happen. With my second one, I was scared to death the entire time...but they went ahead and scheduled the c section 2 weeks earlier than my due date because it wouldnt hurt the baby and that was 2 weeks less that i didnt have to worry about HELLP. As you know with an emergency csection, you are asleep and the last one to get to see your baby...especially when you dont wake up for hours and when you finally do wake up you are in the ICU and your baby is on a totally different floor. Anyways, with my second I was excited that I would get to be awake, but scared about the spinal too. It wasnt so bad...I was crying before they ever touched me then felt really silly when it was done and it wasnt that bad. LOL But then it got worse...when my doctor started my incision I could feel him cutting me and actually jumped even though I couldnt see that he was touching me so he knew I felt it and they ended up having to put me to sleep anyways so that was a bummer. That wasnt the end of it though....of course I was the last one to see this baby too...and also the last one to find out that it WAS NOT a girl as we where expecting!! seems dumb now, but I got really really mad at my doctor and ran him out of my room. LOL So I said I had no problems with my other 2 pregnancies...but they werent totally uneventful. When they told me my third was a girl I said I would believe it when I seen it. But she was, and this time my spinal went fine and I did finally get to be awake and be the first to hold one of my babies!! Had my tubes tied after that...swore I wouldnt be one of those women who regretted it because I hated being pregnant so bad I was so glad I would never have to be pregnant again. But now my baby girl is 2 and turning into just another brat (JK) ...and I realize that both of my boys are so big that I cant pick them up anymore even if my life depended on it......and I have to admit....when I see a newborn....I feel like an idiot. LOL

Kristin - posted on 03/24/2013

I've struggled with my blood pressure since I had my daughter 14 years ago. I've even lost weight and I'm thinner than I was before I got pregnant with her. I've never had any more children because the birth was such a bad experience. I had a c section which was ok. But I had an atrial line. Central lines and doctors I was fighting with because they wanted me to try a regular birth and I knew I couldn't do it. I had been on mag sulfate for hours. I felt horrible.
Other after effects I've had are fragile veins. If I have an iv very long or even if I tried to donate blood my veins thrombose (harden). I'm in the medical field and I work in a hospital in a room that is kept in the 60's. I developed Reynauds phenomenon after I went back to work following my daughters birth. My fingers get cold and white if my core temp drops. I have to run my fingers under hot water. Or go outside during the summer to warm up.
I was just trying to find out if this was only me. Or what. I never had these issues before my HELLP syndrome.
Any thoughts would be helpful. To be honest I just started kind of putting 2 and 2 together and wondering if all this was an after effect of the HELLP I've never asked my doctor but I'm going to discuss it next visit

Becki - posted on 03/22/2013

April your comment has really reassured me!! I really want other children but am really scared of going through it all again because of all the problems I had on my first baby! But its nice to hear that you have gone on to have more children with no problems.. Makes me feel alot better about having more!

April - posted on 03/22/2013

To mothers who have had HELLP with your first baby- I had HELLP and delivered my son at 36wks ( perfectly healthy) I had blood transfusions, and was in ICU for 3 weeks. My nurse told me she really didnt think I was gonnna make it when they brought me in. I just wanted to tell all of you that are scared of having another child, that I have had 2 more babies since then, with out any problems at all. When i first found out i was pregnant the second time, I cried for a few days because i was so scared of going through that again. And I was just certain that it would happen again, but it didnt. I had absolutly zero problems with 2nd and 3rd.

Erica - posted on 02/24/2013

If you are having upper right quadrant pain still, have your doctor check your liver every time you go in. I go in every 3 months and half the time it is up. My doctor is listening to me better now.

Laura - posted on 02/23/2013

Reading a lot of these posts,, I am thinking more research needs to be done on long lasting effects of HELLP. I also have had problems since my last delivery in April 2009. I was diagnosed with HELLP and delivered my little girl at 34 weeks. I had symptoms also from about 22 weeks, but nothing was "measurable" so nothing was done. After delivery, I felt almost normal until about a month after, when I started having headaches, blurry vision, and sore, stiff legs. My blood pressure has been up and down since and finally was put on a low grade BP medicine a year ago. I still get the upper right quadrant pain occasionally and am so tired all the time, that my girls think I am a "sickly" mother. I have been checked numerous times, but all results come back within normal limits. Doctors all have the same thing to say. They are all very vague and seem not to really know. After reading these posts though, I will continue to believe that there must be some form of long-term effects.

Kim - posted on 02/13/2013

i had hellp after my daughter was born in 2000,i have high bp,joint pains,headaches painkillers won't touch,i am still suffering long term depression.I was told many years ago,some women go on to develope lupis.Has anyone else heard of this?take care all:)

Erica - posted on 02/08/2013

I didn't even realize my stiff legs were a symptom. I delivered over 5 years ago to a 34 week old boy who needed 20 days of oxygen. I had severe pre-eclampsia from the beginning and as it developed into Hellp my doctor watched me closely admitting me to the hospital once a week then releasing me then the shots for his lungs, then 3 days before delivery my side hurt really bad and he admitted me and checked my blood work every 4 hours, on the 3rd morning they told me my liver enzymes were elevated and my blood platelets fell below 23,000 so it was time to deliver. The night before my son went crazy and wouldn't let me sleep, which is also a symptom of HELLP going bad, but did they tell me that? No. So I didn't say anything. I probably would have delivered hours earlier had they known. For a year and a half after he was born I was on bp meds. I got off those and was very healthy but my liver enzymes are high half the time I go to the doctor, which is every 3 months, and my side still hurts, I have diabetes, I am at high risk for heart disease and I am tired for no reason at all. I get 8 hours of sleep but wake up exhausted. I get so frustrated with doctors because they don't know enough about the ill after effects of HELLP. My doctor thought I had a drinking problem. I was like my f******* liver failed during the delivery of my son, do you think that may have something to do with it? My vision is also worse since then. Everyday is hard. I know how you feel Jaime.

Erica - posted on 02/08/2013

I had pre-eclampsia with my first and an emer c-section, with my son I developed HELLP Syndrome and my liver failed emergency c-section. It has been 5 years and I suffer from depression, anxiety, elevated liver enzymes still on and off, a general tiredness that I have never recovered from. I used to be a size 4, now 14. I am at high risk for heart disease and have recently been diagnosed with diabetes. I believe most of my health issues stem from HELLP Syndrome. No body is studying the long term effects which leaves us to discuss it amongst ourselves. Great question. I just started researching it again and there is still no studies. Wish I knew all that I am in for.

Blanca - posted on 01/25/2013

Lizmarie,

That numbness along with body cramps and your body being sensitive to climate change is normal to me since I too experince that. Its been 30months since I delivered my babies. They told me I have fybromyalsia now. May be you have that to?

Blanca - posted on 01/25/2013

Hello Dean,

I had all kinds of things happing to me and they all began 4 wks before my twins were born. I reported everything and "they" overlooked at everything..... They finally determined I had H.E.L.L.P Syndrome and my babies were born thr an emergency c-section. Because my plalets were so dangeroulsy low, I bleed alot and I ended up needing a blood tranfusion .My lugs were filled with liquid, I was all bruised up , specially on my legs and my feet were so big, it hurt to walk on them. It took me months till I felt any better. My legs were stiff for the 1st few months but even though Its been 30months since my bundles were born now, I still experince blurred vision and my feet are super highly sensitive. I do experience body cramps everyday. My blood pressure is back to normal now. I had my vision checked at 3months of delivering and most recently last week. The same part of my eye in the back (sorry I can't remember the medical term for that part of my eye) that was swellon 27 months ago is still swollen today. They are connecting it to my H.E.L.L.P Syndrome. For feeling those cramps through out my body.. they are calling it "Fybromylsia", since I tested negative for everything else. Yes little is known of this condition but I have been told and from what I have read on line... they all say one is more likely to get H.E.L.L.P Syndrome on the future pregnancies and more than likely it will be worse and more severe the 2nd time around. And I want more children =(

Kimberly - posted on 01/25/2013

I have had the same exact issues and am angry with my doc for not telling me that a month before he found protein in my urine after I had been complaining about these s symptoms for many weeks....my blood pressure will not go down and I am having lots of back pain and pelvic pain as well yet he has never said anything about side effects to preeclampsia

Rebecca - posted on 01/25/2013

Hi, I'm 26years old and i gave birth to my daughter when i was 22 and all was well.
I had no issues in my first pregnancy.
After which i took medicines to avoid pregnancy.
After 4 years i had pregnancy and then in 26 weeks they've found that i have high BP and loss of protein was at the maximum level.
I suffered from headaches,breathlessness,severe back pain,blurred spots,swelling in the body.
They've then informed that the baby's growth has stopped they've give me two steriods and finally thay had to operate me aftet 28 weeks of pregnancy as my BP could not be controlled even after taking med like alphadopha,nicardia thrice a day. My BPwent upto 190/170 and it was never cntsant.
The baby could not survive post delivery and my BP was high for abt a month(170/150).
Later after a month my bp was getting back to normal and doc advised to stop the medicines.
But still after 3 months post delivery i have issues blurred vsions,back pain,abdomen pain and nausea.
Doctors say everything is fine but need HELP and want to know what other problems i might have to face and is there any solution?
Also would this reoccur for the next pregnancy after 2-3 yrs?

Daphne - posted on 11/07/2012

I had Hellp Sydrome at 34 weeks had an emerg c-section I was only put on iron pills and only got to stay 4 days in the hospital, baby was in the NICU for 2 1/2 weeks, its been 8 month and I am so tired all the time, short of breathe, get dizzy very easy and have a very low sex drive, any one else have the same problem and find out what wrong or how do I ficx it, I am so tired of being tired.

Josee - posted on 10/13/2012

Hi,

I know this is really late for a reply, but just in case anyone out there was looking at the above question..

I had severe HELLP syndrome and delivered a 28 week gestation baby. I was on blood pressure meds for a few months after delivery to have it lowered and it temporarily went back to normal. Since my experience in the ICU with HELLP, along with the trauma of having a baby in the NICU for so long, I now experience the following consistently:

- Panic attacks

- Tachycardia

- High Blood Pressure, now controlled with Trandolapryl pills.



I am not planning on having any other children because of the potential health risks involved.

Lizmarie - posted on 10/09/2012

Yes, I do. Im only 22 and a mommy to 3 boys. My youngest its 2yrs old. Three days after giving birth to him I was back in the hospital wit a blood pressure of 174/143. I had preeclampsia and was sent back into the maternity ward because they never treated it and sent me home wit a "not so high" blood pressure. I'va always had a history of migranes but after the migranes got much much worst. Now its 2yrs later and I get very bad blurry/double vision, joint pain (specially on knees, ankles, n hands), my migranes get so bad i get pain shoot down my neck into my shouldres and my left side of my body gets very weak, numb, and sensitivity to hot/cold goes up n down. My hearing is also being affected on my left ear and sometimes I get ringing and what I call "after airplain" sensation. I get also stiff legs and the sensation of pulling when I get up or stretch my legs in anyways. I been going in and out the hospital because of these symptoms for over a year and not having insurance doesnt make it any easier cause the Healthplex i go to doesnt help me or send me to specialist to get checked better, which is what I'm fighting for right now. I never thought preeclampsia had anything to do with it until my mom told me about a woman she meet at a clinic and they spoke about me because she was experiencing alot of the same symptoms as me after having preeclampsia after her second baby. I never gotten a diagnosis or any help with meds that actually work for more than a couple hours. If you do get any specific saying from a doctor I would love to hear about it so I could talk to my doctors about it. I cant even hold my kids for too long afraid I will drop them cause of the pain and numbness I get since it has happened. Hope you all feel much better.

K - posted on 10/04/2012

Hi, I had 3 eclamptic seizures following the birth of my first child 23 years ago. Earlier pre -eclamptic symptoms were not spotted as my own blood pressure norm was very low.

Following delivery I was on bp controlling medication for approx one month.

At the time I was an international athlete and returned to training (running) properly within a few months .

I went on to compete in an Olympic games and a World championships within a few years .

I also had healthy deliveries of 2 children over the next 10 years ( I was monitored closely with my second pregnancy )

I am now 50 years old and continue to have low blood pressure and excellent health.

Live life to the full and do everything possible to keep yourself healthy.

Best Wishes

KW

Amy - posted on 09/16/2012

It's been 11.5 months since my emergency c section at 35 weeks due to HELLP and I am STILL on blood pressure medication. My doctor won't allow me to go off them until at least 6 more months, or if we decide to get pregnant again, I'll be on the tablets for the entire pregnancy!!! Not happy!

Joanie - posted on 08/30/2012

I had preeclampsia and was in the hospital on bedrest. I developed full blown eclampsia with seizures at 26 weeks and 2 days and had to have an emergency c-section. She was 1lb 12.9oz. She is 8 years old now and healthy as can be. I however still see spots most of the time, get dizzy, horrible back pain and am constantly tired. It seems to me that the spots and tired seem to be a really common side effect mentioned by lots of mothers. Although discussing with my doctor those things don't really seem to be an issue.

Becki - posted on 05/29/2012

Have you got any long term effects of this?

Dean - posted on 05/22/2012

Yes Becki,

There were a few times over my 6 month fight that I was released for a few days once a week and at home when HELLPS would raise its head and come back only to have me re admitted to ICU or CCU again. Once symptoms presented again I was back with meds again till all stabilized.

Becki - posted on 05/22/2012

Hi
I gave birth to my beautiful daughter 10 weeks ago, I was induced at 38 weeks due to PE.
My blood pressure had started to creep up at around 30 weeks (Can't remember exactly and they've taken my notes)!! I had traces of protein in my urine on and off right through till about a week before being induced when it started to get more and more!!
I was getting bad headaches and spots infront of my eyes so sever that at times I could barely see and I felt confused and couldn't remember things, but it always seemed to pass after a couple of hours so was put down to migraine? (this now makes me wonder whether my PE was more sever than realised)
My hands feet and ankles started to swell aswell! I was sent to hospital a few times to be assessed and was sent home every time even thought bp was sometimes 160/110!!!
It was at 37 weeks that they decided to keep me in to start me on bp meds (first labetelol) which didn't control it so the dose was increased! I was aloud home to pack a bag of stuff for me and baby! When back in hospital they decided to induce as my bloods were abnormal (was only informed of this after giving birth and still dont know just how abnormal!) and my bp was still uncontrolled even with 1.2g of labetelol so they started adalat aswell!

The day after giving birth to my daughter I still continued to have high bp and I had spots infront of my eyes again, headaches etc and this was now put down to bp meds and the side effects!
I didn't have any blood tests or urine tests done until about 4 weeks after having my baby after going to the doctors and persisting!
My blood results showed that my kidney function is less than 60, what does this mean as no one has explained this to me?
Also my cholestrol was raised and my liver enzymes?
I had blood and trace of protein in my urine on 3 tests that were performed!

10 weeks on and I am still feeling unwell. I have blurred vision on a daily basis, I have a constant wavy line in my right eye and get flashes and such in both eyes! Are my eyes permanently damaged?
I have a pain when breathing in on my right side and also hurts with movement, I also have had 4 occasions where pain in my upper abdomen has been so severe that I have been taken to hospital but they have no answers.
My heart rate is up and down all the time, sometimes as low as 65 and others as high as 100 on resting! I get out of breath easily, even doing simple tasks such as walking the stairs or even getting up from bed or changing my daughters nappy! I had an ecg performed the other day that came back abnormal, again I have not been told what was abnormal about it!!
My bp is still raised, it seemed to be improving with readings such as 110/66 which was great but is now creeping up again to numbers such as 149/90? I am on 10mg adalat and 200mg labetalol in morning and 10mg adalat and 200mg labetalol in evening. Will my bp ever go back down? My bp at my booking app (approx 6 weeks pregnant) was 130/70 which at the time I was told was fantastic. It was not until 2 weeks ago that I found out that pregnancy lowers your blood pressure at the beginning so is it possible that I had high bp before pregnancy but didn't know. I don't ever remember having my bp checked before!
I just want to know if anyone has had these problems themselves so long after having their baby and whether it ever gets better, and if so how long it can take?
Long story I know but I just feel lost because nobody has ever explained PE to me properly and what damage it can do to your body.
I am only 21 and wanted more children in the future!
Please help

Brenda - posted on 03/13/2012

Hi Jaime, I have just read your post and know exactly how you feel. I am a lot older than you and my children are grown up. It is so sad that treatments after preeclampsia and Hellp syndrome have not improved it seems once your baby is born you are left to get on with your life the best way you can. This is so sad as not only do you still feel very unwell you also have a new baby to look after. If you are still feeling unwell ask to see a heart specialist. With me, I found preeclampsia had affected my blood vessels do you still have high blood pressure? This will need to be checked. I wish you all the best and if you have any questions I will be happy to answer them. from Brenda

Tara - posted on 03/10/2012

hey i was diagnosed with pre eclampsia with my first child but noone really explained what that really meant. they just delivered early. he was healthy and so was i, i thought anyways. i went through an entire pregnancy term without even knowing i was pregnant, until i woke with a ton of people surrounding me asking me all kinds of questions. i had had two seizures and one on the way to the hospital. turns out delivery was a simple solution for that problem...lol but that really wasnt the case at all because i had to stay in the hospital for three weeks and still had a horrible blood pressure problem plus i find myself forgetting stuff i shouldnt forget. i tried to replace pills with exercise but i still had to take pills because it just wasnt enough. it seems as if it will never go away. i cant even run anymore bc my blood pressure gets out of control. my vision really hasnt changed that much but still. if i were you id get a second opinion.

Dean - posted on 02/10/2012

Saw your post and felt the need to contact you hope that is OK. I had my last child my third a son 1/8/2005 in Santa Cruz California. The two previous pregnancies without incident or issues. About a week after delivery and hours after arriving at home developed the insane headache due to the off the charts blood pressure followed by the tightness around my chest resulting from the fluid filling my lungs until the left one collapsed on my heart. Also known as congestive heart failure. Liver melting , blood cells dying platelets near non existent and coughing blood clots the size of coins. Given a mixture of potassium via iv's to levels of 7% they kept a crash cart next to me at all times as the lethal dosage ran though my veins hoping to avoid life threatening seizures of and on for nearly 6 months. Long term effects for me have been immune-like disorders , vision issues , decreased /damaged hearing however would have to say circulation issues are the worst of all . Heart was damaged on left side liver nearly liquified it took me years to get to a place near what could be called normalcy. I will never be the same circulation issues wake me up all the time at night entire side of my body can and does fall asleep, legs get weak and that sense of not feeling good comes up more often than I would like all of which is very frustrating. I am happy to be alive and guess that for now is the trade off and my child is well and healthy little man. I had specialist from Stanford Hospital come just to see me to see a HELLPS 3 patient , as I had the most serious form of the disease and symptoms only showed days after delivery. I felt like a zoo animal on display. Not one had any answers only triage and fight symptoms as they present themselves while crossing fingers in hope you do not die. I was told by several to have surgery to ensure no future pregnancies as each subsequent case of this illness is always worse than the first case you have meaning of course I would not survive such.

I wanted to share with you and others on your blog my experience. There are long term effects from any major illness and there are plenty from this one.

Sincerely

Dorothy Dean

Marcia - posted on 01/09/2012

Feel exactly the same way. Had a very similar experience to you and my little boy is 8 years old. I'm always exhausted and feel like toy running out of battery all the time.

Tami - posted on 12/26/2011

I developed it at 3 weeks post partum and ended up with eclampsia and a stroke and on life support. I had issues with high bp for a week, but then I had dangerously low bp for 5 weeks. I had lingering effects, but it's difficult to determine if it's from the issues with high bp and cerebral swelling or if it was after effects of Guillian-barre syndrome that was occurring at the same time. It took months for things to normalize and 20 months later I still have intermittent high bp. Your Ob should be more concerned and put you on bp meds. It's common to need meds for months following severe pre-e or hellp

Karey - posted on 09/23/2011

I had HELLP and severe pre-eclampsia, delivered a 2 lb 9 oz baby girl at 31 weeks and she is now 18 and in her first semester of college. I had to be on BP meds for approx 4-6 months after she was born and it took my kidneys about a year to fully recover. I was tested later for ANA and anti-cardiolipin antibodies, which I understand can determine any underlying causes and a predisposition for high BP. I was negative and was told by a Perinatologist that I was safe to try another pregnancy because of the results of those tests. I tried again about 8 years after the first, carried full term and delivered a healthy boy. Now, 18 years later, I still have no BP issues but read studies that I may have kidney problems in the future. All is well so far and I would HIGHLY recommend asking your physician about these tests before considering more children.

Rebecca - posted on 09/20/2011

Wow! Reading all these stories has made me go back and think about my first pregnancy. I normally had high bp but it had been controlled with medication. Upon finding out I was pregnant they put me on Aldomet 500mg 2x's a day. About a week or so before I had Marcus, they upped it to 1000 mg 2x's a day. The doctor said this was the maximum dose. It blows my mind because even after that my bp was still elevated and they didn't seem worried about it. With my second one I knew I had pre-eclampsia but now I am wondering if I had it with the first one too.

Lisa - posted on 09/15/2011

I had HELLP with my one-and-only in 2005. Was rushed to the hospital at 31 weeks with high BP--given Mag Sulfate to stabilize me, etc. They also gave me the steriods to mature our little man's lungs (best move--ever!) Went back in on Christmas Eve with a BP of 196/117 and after a battery of tests, it did not take them long to figure out that I had HELLP. Had blood product/transfusions, had to sign a waiver authorizing a full hysterectomy if I continued to bleed, etc. Doc couldn't tell me for certain if we were staying (alive) or going--it was scary. At 5:37am on Christmas morning, our little miracle came into the world via emergency c-section kicking and screaming. He spent one week in NICU and then graduated to the "feeders and growers" unit. He was 3lbs--but no major issues to speak of--just a bit of a carrot-baby and was jaundiced. He's 5 now and has a few fine motor/speech issues but is a spitfire for the most part and very bright. I am still taking BP meds and yes, have those days where I am just tired or a little "spacey." I do forget things more easily but, for the most part, BP is under control and I feel pretty good. Felt horrible after delivery, though--BP took forever to go down, my hands were swollen like baseballs and I got these weird chills one night that scared my husband--my whole body was quivering! It took me, I would say, a good 3 years before I actually started feeling like my normal self so to speak. I agree the process aged me a bit, though.

Jaime - posted on 09/14/2011

Hi. I'm Jaime and I can offer you my experience 11 years after. I had HELLP with my first child. I had an emergency C-Section. I had to take blood pressure medicine a few weeks and I got off of them. I got pregnant and gave birth almost exactly two years later. In my second pregnancy, I developed preeclampsia even sooner than my first (I believe I was in the beginning of my second trimester) when my blood pressure began to rise. I was on bedrest starting my third trimester, then I was admitted in the hospital where I remained on bedrest for a month, before having to schedule a C-Section right at 33 weeks. In preparation for my delivery, I was given steroid shots to develop the babies lungs faster, and I was also given other shots to stop delivery, because my body was doing everything it could to get the baby out, and my good doctors were doing everything they could to keep the baby in as long as possible. Finally on April 16th 2002 I gave birth to my daughter who was right below 4lbs. The only troubles she had was her swallow/suck coordination. And due to her size her ability to hold body heat. She stayed in NICU gor only ten day. I also had to stay in hospital for ten days so they could monitor me. We went home and she perfectly healthy. So is my son who is now 11.
Now, after preeclampsia, I have been on high blood pressure meds for 11 years. I do not feel normal. There are days where I wake up and my head is pounding, I'm fatigued and I have dark circles and my blood pressure is high. I cannot stand being in the heat and sun, I have an enlarged heart, I also recently was told that I have traces of mitrol valve leakage in my heart. I have to have blood work done every six months to ensure my liver enzymes are normal (because most often they are not). Overall I have never been the same. I am 31 years old, I am 5'2", I am 135lbs. I did not have hypertension before pregnancies. I was an athlete. And now, I have lived for the past 11 years feeling "something not quite right" and being diagnosed with chronic hypertension, on two pills a day, and very often I have what I call my "down days". I heard someone say once that "we are as old as our arteries".. I can tell you that I feel old at 31. And for some reason, It's like my body and I have an understanding of what may be coming...after all, I am at the beginning of heart disease. At least that's what it feels like.
I am here just to tell you the truth. That it's very real, and it can have an enormous impact on your life. It's the story you don't get to hear that often. If I'm one of the rare cases, then I find myself one unlucky lady.

Emma - posted on 08/17/2011

My blood pressure never returned to how low it was before pregnancy, I've had trouble with high blood pressure ever since the birth and that was 5 years ago.

Hope - posted on 08/09/2011

High Risk obgyn switch. Hellp and preeclampsia can remain post-pardum. Both conditions affect the vital organs to some degree, depending upon severity. Both can have life altering affects for mom up to 15 yrs after baby is born. Preeclampsia itself is a leading cause of heart disease among women. To find out latest research, check out preeclampsia foundation's website.

Jessica - posted on 08/02/2011

I am almost 12 weeks postpartum and still experiencing some symptoms from HELLP. Diagnosis was not made until 9 weeks postpartum. At 34 1/2 weeks pregnant with twins I suffered a placental abruption and lost both babies. I nearly lost my life as well. My blurred vision, nausea and headaches lessened at about 9 weeks postpartum when my blood pressure finally stabilized. I also suffer from body pains and painful veins, specifically in my hands. I know this disease is not common, but it seems like doctors just don't know enough about it to properly treat their patients. I'm happy to hear so many of you were able to deliver healthy babies upon diagnosis. Sadly, my high risks didn't catch it in time for me.

Barb - posted on 07/31/2011

I am new to the site. I have had these problems and have been seeking answers myself. I to have the blurred vision, migraines, stiff lower legs, feet pains (swelling, and veins). I had HELLP and severe preeclampsia right at the beginning of my third trimester. I can't find a doctor who will give me straight answers on if my problems are part of HELLP. I think we all have figured out that this disease does not always end once the baby has been delivered.

Brandy - posted on 04/26/2011

i had preeclampsia and hellp as well and i do have headaches almost everyday since ive had jenna and she is now two, i have never been the type to get headaches even while i was pregnant i moniter my bp at home and its always normal plus i have kidney disease and diabetes so i take bp medicine to protect my kidneys from my diabetes meds, also i have had alot of blured vision this did start while i was pregnant and has continued, ive had my eyes checked and it isnt due to my diabetes so the only thing i can think of would be the hellp, i didnt know that preeclampsia could be related to heart disease? thats frightening, they really should educate you more about this stuff before you leave the hospital, or at least give you a pamplet this is rediculous.

Hope - posted on 03/26/2011

It amazes me that more obgyns are not that concerned about long-term effects of preeclampsia. Not only has preeclampsia been discovered in post-pardum period of pregnancy for many women, but it also can lead to a cause of heart disease later on in life. It doesn't mean that a woman who was diagnosed with preeclampsia will get heart disease, but it does mean that she should take care of her heart-health. Some good info on websites to check out are: www.hellpsyndrome.org ; www.preeclampsia.org ; www.hearthealthywomen.org Hope this helps you.

Blanca - posted on 03/26/2011

Lisa, I had an emergency c-section because I was dignose with hellp syndrome. I too complained about certain symptoms 2 wks before i delivered and they were all over looked as "normal" symptoms of the last stages of a pregnancy. Since I was carrying twins I too thought well I'm feeling everything because of the "load" i was carrying. With in 4hrs frame of my Dr's check up they admitted me in because of my blood pressure and babies were delivered within 20minutes of getting my blood test results back. It was indeed an emergency c-section at 36wks 3days. I did lose so much blood that I ended up getting a blood trans. My little ones are now 8 1/2months old and I still have certain symptoms from my ordeal with hellp. I see spots at the corner of my eyes every single day.... my legs are stiff every morning i wake up and through out the day they improve some. I do want 2 more babies but I'm afraid of developing hellp again.. since the 1st time around I got really really sick from it. I'm thankful that my babies were born healthy.. no need of medical attention other than the "normal" thing.. cleaning ... sucking any ffluid from the little mouth ect.... I did check in with my Dr at 3months (it was my 2nd time) and my hormones were not up to part.. I was told to take calcium, iron and potasium and to continue taking my prenatal vict. I did but not for long.. it was to much for my stomach. Now I'm just taking omega 3 and 6 and I have seen the difference when i do and when I don't take them. May be it will work for you too?!

Marie - posted on 05/08/2009

I had my six week check up just a few days ago. My doctor explained to me the chances of it happening again. And that we will have to monitor my next pregnancy closer. I did not have any symptoms of preeclamsia until it had already gone into HELLP syndrome. If they would have waited much longer to do a c-section on me it would have been extremely bad on the side of fatal. She had all my blood drawn again at my six week appt. to check all of my levels to be sure that everything is back to normal. She is also having them check a clotting factor in my blood because she said that sometimes it goes hand in hand with the HELLP syndrome. We will know more when we see what the results are and how to go from there, but it takes a couple weeks for all of the blood work to come back. I don't have high blood pressure, but have been having headaches for a couple weeks, but I think my eye prescription is too strong for me now since having the baby. I go next week to get eyes checked.

Michelle - posted on 05/07/2009

Quoting Michelle:

I was diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia with HELLP syndrome with my first pregnancy. My daughter was delivered by emerg. c-section at 29 weeks. She was small at 4 lbs. I was on bp pills for a few months after the pregnancy. That was almost 7 years ago. My second pregnancy was much easier. I was put on bp pills but did not develope any further complications and delivered my son by c-section at full term. I have since learned that I am at a high risk for future high blood pressure problems and heart disease. My blood pressure is higher than normal. But I am not on any medications for it, yet. I have a tendency to take my own blood pressure at home with a home bp monitor so I know if it is up or not. Whenever I get a bad headache I do this. But so far, I have no lasting effects from my HELLP syndrome diagnosis, and that was seven years ago. FYI--my daughter who was born pre-term also does not have any lasting effects and is very healthy.

Opps, sorry, I don't know what I was thinking....my daughter was born at 35 weeks gestation (not 29 weeks as I said earlier, I think I have been reading too many stories from other moms!  LOL!).  She was 4 lbs at birth and she is now a healthy 6 1/2 year old!

Michelle - posted on 05/07/2009

I was diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia with HELLP syndrome with my first pregnancy. My daughter was delivered by emerg. c-section at 29 weeks. She was small at 4 lbs. I was on bp pills for a few months after the pregnancy. That was almost 7 years ago. My second pregnancy was much easier. I was put on bp pills but did not develope any further complications and delivered my son by c-section at full term. I have since learned that I am at a high risk for future high blood pressure problems and heart disease. My blood pressure is higher than normal. But I am not on any medications for it, yet. I have a tendency to take my own blood pressure at home with a home bp monitor so I know if it is up or not. Whenever I get a bad headache I do this. But so far, I have no lasting effects from my HELLP syndrome diagnosis, and that was seven years ago. FYI--my daughter who was born pre-term also does not have any lasting effects and is very healthy.