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Allergies

29 Monday Jun 2015

Posted by amomentinmarch in Uncategorized

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Allergies

Every once in a while you have that failure as a parent moment. I often will sarcastically say, I am a candidate for mom of the year. Well, after today, I might very well be a front runner…

We recently had a routine visit with our pulmonologist. With the boys being preemies and Landon’s continuing respiratory issues, he is someone we see a few times a year. He noticed Nolan’s eczema. Apparently, eczema is triad and goes hand in hand with allergies and asthma. NEC babies are also prone to food allergies. He decided we should get Nolan tested. I asked, since we were going if he would write the order for both boys. I always schedule their doctor’s appointments in twos, so why should this be any different. He looked at me, thought about it, and just when I thought he was going to say no, he agreed.

A few days later, we were off to the toddler torture chamber aka the blood lab. Getting blood drawn from the elbow of 2 two year olds is not easy, and they don’t even have stickers. Good thing my boys are just as happy with a band aid as they are with a super hero sticker.

A week later the nurse calls with Landon’s test results… He is allergic to MILK, and not just a little allergic. There is a classification rating system and he is moderate to high. She ran down the list of other things that he reacted to like dust mites and mold as well as the most common allergens he was not allergic to. Then we went back to the milk topic, I told her I can’t say I am surprised. He would get blotchy sometimes and this makes sense. I was still processing this new news and expected some sort of instruction but got nothing.

They also couldn’t locate Nolan’s results. She said we will check again on Monday to see if maybe they just needed an additional day or two.

Monday morning the same nurse called me back, Nolan’s “specimen” was missing. She had contacted the lab and they were “trouble shooting”. We would know in the 24 hours if he had to return to the torture chamber or if they located it.
Before we got off the phone she said, on Friday you said Landon got blotchy, can you elaborate? I told her around his ears and neck he would get red flushed spots. She asked if it was raised, I told her no and that it faded away fairly quickly. She said that sounded like a mild anaphylactic reaction. As I am practically tearing up thinking of how much milk I have given him over the last 2 years and 5 months she threw in there, but typically kids out grow milk allergies. Does that mean it use to be worse? So… I have caused my child to have a borderline , possibly life threatening, allergic reaction, a couple times a day, every day for years, but no worries cause he will most likely out grow it…. Mom of the year!

Oh, I can’t wait for Nolan’s results!

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Babies Firsts

15 Sunday Sep 2013

Posted by amomentinmarch in NICU, TWINS, Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

baby's first, NICU

A lot happened during our 2 month stay in the NICU. There were happy moments and scary moments, times of frustration and times of rejoice.

In addition to seeing my boys for the first time and holding them for the first time. These are some of my other favorite firsts.

First time seeing Landon's face.

First time seeing Landon’s face.

First time seeing Nolan"s face.

First time seeing Nolan”s face.

First time holding hands.

First time holding hands.

First time holding both babies at the same time.

First time holding both babies at the same time.

Landon's first bath (given by mommy).

Landon’s first bath (given by mommy).

The boys first time sharing a room!

The boys first time sharing a room!

First tornado!  Moving all the babies into a secure hallway was a big ordeal.

First tornado! Moving all the babies into a secure hallway was a big ordeal.

Of course there were many other firsts that took place during the boys stay in the NICU, most of which we don’t have pictures of.

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Landon’s first trick

17 Saturday Aug 2013

Posted by amomentinmarch in Uncategorized

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NICU, Preemies, TWINS

*I am still so far behind on my blog. I will try to get caught up soon*

A few days old

A few days old


There is something fascinating about preemies. Their muscle mass to overall body mass ratio allows preemies to do things most newborns would not do for months. Both boys were very active. They would wiggle and worm their way around the incubator. We joked any minute they would get up and walk on out. Landon liked to lie on his back, arms up above his head, legs propped up on the ‘nest’ the nurses made to try to contain him. Every 3 hours after a diaper change, temperature check and feeding, he would get repositioned. Back to sleep rules don’t apply in the NICU.

When Landon was 4 days old, Chris and I were sitting in his room. We spend most of our days moving back and forth between rooms watching our babies in their boxes aka incubators. Chris had begun to refer to them as his little turtles in a terrarium. We had not been able to hold the boys; we could simply sit and watch and wait.

Landon decided since we were watching he would put on show. He was in a prone position and we watched as he stuck his butt up in the air; think downward facing dog yoga pose. We were joking with the nurse that he really didn’t seem to want to be on his tummy when before our very eyes he rolled over. He managed to put all his weight on one leg and flipped and flopped on over. Once on his back he assumed his favorite position and fell right to sleep. I, for one, could not believe my eyes.

In the days to come, we were often told how active our babies were. This was good news. Active babies equal strong babies. They had a lot of fight in them. Their activity level helped to reassure us they were going to be okay.

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The Boys Birth Story (Part 2)

19 Friday Jul 2013

Posted by amomentinmarch in NICU, RAINBOW BABY, TWINS, Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Birth Story, c-section, NICU, Preemie, TWINS

It's time!

It’s time!


It is amazing how quickly everything happened once they decided Feb. 1st would be the boys’ birthday. My call with Chris was not very long. The whole conversation consisted of “Just got off the phone with Dr. K and I am having the babies today.” And, just like that he was in route to the hospital. By the time I hung up, I had 2 nurses in my room. A hospital gown, hair net and socks were laid out on the foot of the bed, and they were gathering supplies to put an IV in my arm. For a few minutes everything felt very rushed. I hadn’t really had time to digest the news. When you go into labor you have hours not minutes before the babies arrive.

Chris made it to the hospital in record time and we called our parents to let them know. I could tell Chris was nervous and honestly so was I. I was, after all, only 30 weeks and few days along. But, I also had a strange fleeting moment of feeling nostalgic. This would be the last day I would EVER be pregnant. This was the last time the boys would be 100% dependant on me and only me to provide for them. As hard as my pregnancy was, a big part of me enjoyed my pregnancy.

Soon my doctor arrived in my room. She reassured both Chris and I that at the boy’s gestational age they would do just fine. She was excited because I had made it so much longer than she originally thought and because we were all about to meet the little guys. She was dressed like she was heading out to dinner not to an operating room, so she gave us both a hug and went to change clothes and get scrubbed in.

As soon as she left, the nurses were back in my room. They grabbed the cord blood collection kit to be sure it wasn’t forgotten about in all the excitement. They gave Chris coveralls, shoe covers and a hairnet and explained they were going to take me down now and they would be back soon for him. He couldn’t be in the room while I got my spinal, but would be there in plenty of time for the birth.
As I entered the operating room, it was cold, brightly lit and, it was bustling; lots of people making sure everything was ready and in place. I was expecting a lot of people, but thre must have been 20 people in the room. Seeing so many in and out of the delivery room made me nervous and reassured at the same time.

This was it, it wouldn’t be long now.

They had me sit on a hard table. The nurse anesthetist introduced himself and told me he would be right by my side the whole time. He was very calm and reassuring in the mist of all the chaos. The anesthesiologist came over and introduced herself and told me it was time to get started. She told me I would feel pressure in my back. She was right, that was a good way to describe it. I took one final look around the room before lying back on the table. There were 2 incubators now fully surrounded by doctors and nurses. All the surgical tools were spread out on a table. There were still many other nurses and respiratory specialists walking about the room. I laid back and they hung the curtain; for a brief moment I panicked. The curtain was so close to my face and I am claustrophobic. The nurse anesthetist, seeming inside my head, noticed and before I could react asked that they reposition it. I looked to my left as they were walking Chris into the room.

Before they begin they test the spinal. They rubbed a cold wet cloth on my arm. Then they rubbed the same cloth on my stomach. I feel the pressure but not the cold or wet. I took a deep breath and tried to relax, but in my head I knew there were so many unknowns.

Soon, I felt an odd sensation, it didn’t hurt, but I felt it. I could feel myself laying so still, intently listening to everything, waiting for some indication that the babies were okay. I began to get nauseous and immediately was given something to remedy that. I was also given something to make me relax. I heard the doctor say the amniotic fluid was clear. I assumed that was a good thing. She asked Chris if he was ready to stand up and take a look.

I watched him as he stood up, he just stared. “Take a picture”, I told him. He raised the camera and snapped away as I heard the doctor say he is out and he is a good size. Chris began looking a little pale so the nurse anesthetist advised he sit back down. I realized I was holding my breath. I had not yet heard the baby cry. Then I heard it, it was soft and distant, but still music to my ears and for a moment I could breathe.

Before the doctor moved on to baby B, she collected Landon’s cord blood and cord tissues. She didn’t think she was going to be able to get enough cord blood, but collected all she could. Viacord could let us know for sure, but these are preemies with cord blood flow issues.

Soon we were on to Baby B, my problem child, the reason we were in the delivery room. But, baby B, aka Nolan, was also my feisty baby. Again, I felt myself holding my breath as she confirmed the fluid was clear and there was plenty of it. Chris stood once again and snapped a few pictures. I heard the doctor say, “he is smaller, but not as much as I worried he would be.” Nolan didn’t make me wait as long to hear his cry. His was a bit louder as if he knew I needed reassured that was going to be okay.

Before I knew it, Landon had been taken down to the NICU, I never even got to see him. Chris was giving me a play by play of what he could see. I knew he needed to be in NICU quickly, but was sad I didn’t get to see him first. The nurse anesthetist was going to be sure that didn’t happen again. “Hey guys, over here, mom did a lot of work, she should get to see the baby,” he said as they were getting ready to head out with Nolan. They rolled his incubator over by me and one of the nurses lifted him up so I could see him. He was crying. All I could really see was a big mouth on a very small baby.

With a normal pregnancy and normal c-section the doctor would hold the baby up, get it slightly cleaned off and passed immediately to mom or dad. When they are tiny there is no holding them up and once they go to the NICU, hours pass before mom can visit. After all, the spinal has to wear off before you can feel you legs, and then they won’t let you sit up for another couple of hours. The nurses told me it was common for women not to head to the NICU for 12-18 hours after delivery.

I had never really thought about it until a couple of weeks before the babies were born. A friend of mine told me about her experience with a c-section and her babies going straight to the NICU. The whole way through my pregnancy I had known exactly what to expect, but this little detail caught me off guard. I was crushed at the idea of others seeing my babies before me. I did all the work.

When we got back to my hospital room, my parents were waiting for me. They wanted to make sure I did okay in surgery and my mom began helping pack up the room. It is amazing how much you can accumulate in a short time. My doctor stopped by and told me she went to the NICU before coming to see me to make sure all was well. “They are doing really good and they are bigger than I thought” she told us. Landon was the bigger baby around 3 lbs and Nolan was closer to 2 ½ lbs. She also told the nurses to keep me in my room, the room that had become home atleast until the following day. Standard procedure would be to move me within a few hours to the mom and baby ward. After my doctor left, so did my parents; they all agreed I should try and get some rest.

About an hour or two later my mother-in-law came to visit. By this time, the spinal was wearing off and I was beginning to feel my legs again. Before, I was in too much pain the nurse brought a pain pump in and I discovered morphine really makes me itch. To counter the itchiness, I was given Benadryl. To say I was out of it would be a huge understatement, pain meds and benadryl! My mother in law left for a little while to pick up some dinner for her and Chris, I was so tired and nauseas there was zero chance of me eating anything. Even though I wasn’t eating I do wish they had picked something other than shrimp fajitas, the smell and the nausea didn’t mix well. While they were eating my older brother stopped by the hospital to visit. It was a nice distraction from the nausea.

One of the nurses stopped in as she was leaving for the night to let me know she had stopped by the NICU and the boys were doing well. During the conversation, she realized Chris had yet to go to the NICU. He had stayed with me so we could visit them together for the first time. The nurse offered to take him down there and my brother and mother in law asked if they could join. I reluctantly said yes. I am not sure if it was because I was just so tired or not feeling well, but I didn’t stand my ground. I would now be the fourth person in the family to see my babies. I thought it would be a quick visit, but it was not. Over an hour past, then 30 minutes more; I laid in my bed and began to cry, mostly out of jealousy that I couldn’t be down there too.

When everyone got back in my room after the visit to the NICU they were talking about how little but handsome the boys were. I heard about how much hair they had and before anyone could say another word, I snapped. “I don’t want to hear about it, I don’t want anyone telling me about my babies, I just want to see them.” By this time it was after midnight, so my brother and mother in law headed home. The night nurse recommended I get some sleep, but I was not going to sleep until I saw my boys. So, nine hours after I delivered them, the nurses loaded me into a wheelchair and we headed for the NICU.

IMG_0010

The boys were in 2 separate rooms; really the rooms were more of open divided bays. Both were in their Giraffe incubators, each with their very own nurse. We headed to Landon’s room first. They lowered the incubator as far as it would go. It was hard to see what he looked liked, but one thing was for sure, he was tiny. I needed a better look, so I attempted to stand up. As soon as I stood up, I began to shake and got very light-headed. The NICU nurse recommended I sit back down; after all, she works on babies less than 5 lbs not adults. I took her recommendation and slowly sat back down, but first I studied every detail of Landon. I couldn’t see his face because of the CPAP machine helping him breath. He was so little and thin that he didn’t even fill out his skin, but at the same time, he was perfect. He did have a lot of hair considering he was born about 10 weeks early.

IMG_0005

Next we headed over to Nolan’s room. Once again, I needed a better look. I stood up, but only for a minute. I only thought Landon was small, until I saw Nolan. Nolan put small into a whole new perspective. His face was also hidden behind the CPAP machine, and he also had a surprising amount of very blond hair.

It was surreal seeing my babies for the first time. Even without seeing their face, they were the most beautiful sight, wires and all. My night was complete. Our family had grown by two. I could now get some rest.

Landon

Landon

Nolan

Nolan

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Much Ado About Nothing

06 Thursday Dec 2012

Posted by amomentinmarch in Pregnancy, RAINBOW BABY, Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

 

I know I am probably in trouble with a few of my friends and family members for neglecting to share a little detail about my week.  My intentions were good, no need to alarm anyone, but it is amazing how “things” have a way of getting out.  (For the record, we did tell our parents.)

On Tuesday, I had my routine visit with the specialist.  I thought the visit was going very well.  During the growth scan, they were able to see everything that was not clear a month ago.  The babies were incredibly active.  In fact, it was as if we were watching a WWE wrestling match.  Ahhh, the things I have to look forward to with two boys.  They are at it already!

The ultrasound tech wrapped up and soon thereafter the doctor entered the room.  She said they were able to see pretty much everything they needed to; but, at the end of the scan they used the Doppler to check the blood flow through the placenta, to the umbilical cord, thus to the babies.  Baby A had normal blood flow, but with Baby B they couldn’t find what they were looking for. They referred to this as absent blood flow.  Clearly, it wasn’t totally absent since the baby had a good heart beat, but it was reason to cause concern.  She said that, coupled with my occasional shortness of breath, was leading her to think she might need to send me to the hospital for more tests.  She told me she was waiting on my primary OB to call her back to get her opinion.

Just then the nurse let her know my doctor was on the line for her.  I looked at Chris and said, “looks like we are going to the hospital.”  I knew my doctor, who has been very cautious with me, would not bat an eyelash at sending me.

Sure enough, moments later I got my confirmation.  The only way they could get the tests they want and get them in the timeframe they needed, was to admit me.  So off to the hospital we went.

It was a little creepy when they opted to put us in the exact same room I was in with Ansley, but a room is just a room.  When the nurse staff realized it was the same room, they quickly offered to change my room.  At the end of the day, they all look the same.

Over the next 30 hours, I had countless tests run, including another ultrasound looking at blood flow.  The second ultrasound offered much better results and every test they ran on me came back problem free!

Both babies are on the small side, especially Baby B, so they are going to continue to watch me closely. They also decided it was time for official bed rest not just work from home status.  Guess I will be doing my Christmas shopping online.  But, all in all, the trip to the hospital confirmed so far everything is looking good.

 

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News Roller Coaster

12 Monday Nov 2012

Posted by amomentinmarch in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

HELLP, Preeclampsia, pregnancy complications, Rainbow baby

I have never been a big fan of roller coasters, and last week featured way too many ups and downs.  Tuesday we found out we were having a pair of boys.  I foresee baseball and boy scouts in our future. The ultrasounds looked great for both boys; strong heart rates, 20 fingers and toes accounted for, no soft markers for any issues!

The following day I saw my regular OBGYN.  By her line of questions as she entered the room, I could tell something was amiss.  Turns out, her in office quick screen I tested positive for proteinuria.  Basically that means my kidneys are spilling proteins for some reason. While this is one indicator of preeclampsia, alone it would not lead to a diagnosis for preeclampsia.  She was very surprised the specialist hadn’t caught it the day before.  She decided to have me do a 24 hour screen, which is a much more accurate test to be sure there was not an anomaly.   She also decided for the time being it would be best for me to work from home.  She stopped short of putting me on bed rest and stressed I was not yet confined to the house or the bed for that matter, I just need to take it easy.

Thursday, things were looking back up again.  All of my routine blood work came back and everything looked great.  My platelet count was holding steady.  This was great news!

But then came Friday’s news!  I got a call from Dr. Reed.  When I was pregnant with Ansley, I saw him once.  I had not seen him since, but I knew when I was in the hospital he was the one requesting tests for research purposes and had been following my case.  I was yet to actually see him in this pregnancy, so you can imagine my concern as I am listening to his voicemail and he is asking me to call him.  Before I called him back, I called Chris and gave him a heads up.

Dr. Reed had been calling to discuss my sequential screen results.  The sequential screen is a test that is done in multiple parts to screen for Down Syndrome, Trisomy 18 and neural tube defects.  He started by discussing the Down syndrome results, I tested just outside the norm… again.  I tested the exact same with Ansley and it was a false positive.  He stressed they didn’t see any markers on the ultrasound, twins often throw the numbers off and as stands it was .2% chance based on my numbers.  All in all, I was not too concerned about this result, but it is something I will keep in mind.  There is another blood test I can do called MaterniT21, but it is only 95% accurate with twins.  The bigger concern for him was my high Alpha Fetoprotein levels, aka AFP levels.

Typically, high levels of AFP would be indicative of a neural tube disorder like Spina Bifida.  However, in reviewing my ultrasound he could see about 90% of what he needed to see to rule that out.  He said they will check again in my next ultrasound, but he wasn’t concerned about a neural tube disorder.  His largest concern was based on newer research that has shown a strong link between a poorly functioning/ weak placenta and high AFP levels.  A weak placenta can cause pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, small gestational age, preterm labor, early preterm labor (28 weeks or earlier) and HELLP.  Mixed with my history, the fact I am having twins, and now high AFP levels, he felt strongly that, at a minimum, I will develop preeclampsia during this pregnancy.

This was not exactly new news; my OB has done a good job of making sure we understand all that this pregnancy will likely encounter.  She told me the day we found out about the twins that this would not be a normal pregnancy.  She told me to expect bed rest, hospital bed rest, and that I would possibly deliver preterm via an emergency c-section.   I have done the best I can of preparing myself for whatever happens while trying to remain optimistic.  To me, this is just one more road bump to get past.  That being said, this road is getting awfully bumpy!

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Jesus Loves Me

04 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by amomentinmarch in Uncategorized

≈ 3 Comments

After losing Ansley, I knew I wanted some spiritual guidance; some words of inspiration, some scriptures that would start me down a path of healing.  I thought about calling Father Scott.  He had married Chris and me.  I had known him just about all my life.  I knew he would say the right things, the things Chris and I needed to hear.   The only thing that prevented me from calling was that I would have to tell him what happened.  And, every time I tried to talk about what happened I couldn’t get words out past the tears.  I would open my mouth to begin to talk and all I would do is cry. 

Nurse Linda was back on duty and asked if I would like to talk to the hospital Chaplin.  I thought this would be best.  I thought I would get what I needed without having to talk about what happened.  I thought this was what I wanted.

A nice older gentleman entered the room.  He said he had heard about our loss and was very sorry.  So far so good.  He then went into a story about his recent loss, his wife had passed away.  He jumped from that story straight into about 5 other stories of tragedy and death.   Well this was not helping at all.  I was too emotionally drained to offer much sympathy for the stories he told.  I was lost in my own grief. 

He had a small teddy bear in his hand and after each story, he would push the teddy bears paw and it would sing “Jesus Loves Me”.  I get it; his message for me was the same for each person in each story he told.  Jesus Loves Me.  But, this was not what I was expecting; I didn’t want a sing-a-long.

Finally, he asks if we can pray together.  I think to myself, finally!  As we all bow our heads and we begin to pray he plays the teddy bear again. 

I don’t remember exactly what he said, that is until about mid-way through the prayer.  He says, “And lord, I pray that Chris and Jessica will be BETTER people than they have been.” Chris and I immediately look up at each other.  I think EXCUSE ME, you don’t know me, are you implying that we are bad people, that we in some way deserved this?  But he didn’t stop there he went on to say, that if, IF, we are better people and live by his word that MAYBE he will bless us and we will see Ansley again in heaven.  IF -MAYBE!!!!

By this point my tears have faded away, I am far too angry to cry.  I wanted to throw him out of my room.  I just lost my daughter and these are the words you choose to comfort me!?!  He wraps up his prayer, as he plays the teddy bear one last time and hands it to me.  Everything in me wanted to throw it across the room, but I didn’t. 

Before he left, he told me about an upcoming surgery he had and that I would be one of the last people he would council.  His days as hospital chaplain were coming to an end. THANK GOD for that, I thought. 

It was few months later when Chris and I were watching TV and a 1-800-flowers commercial came on.  The commercial showed an arrangement that featured a very similar looking teddy bear, before I could comment, Chris changed the channel.  We were thinking the same thing.  I don’t think I like teddy bears anymore, and the song, Jesus Loves Me, takes me immediately back to a dark place that is filled with anything but love.

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What is HELLP Syndrome???

25 Sunday Mar 2012

Posted by amomentinmarch in Uncategorized

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Tags

health, third trimester of pregnancy

The American Pregnancy Association has one of the best descriptions of HELLP Syndrome I have found.  They describe HELLP as:

HELLP Syndrome is a series of symptoms that make up a syndrome that can affect pregnant women. HELLP syndrome is thought to be a variant of preeclampsia, but it may be an entity all on its own. There are still many questions about the serious condition of HELLP syndrome. The cause is still unclear to many doctors and often HELLP syndrome is misdiagnosed. It is believed that HELLP syndrome affects about 0.2 to 0.6 percent of all pregnancies.

What is HELLP Syndrome?

The name HELLP stands for:

  • H- hemolysis ( breakdown of red blood cells)
  • EL- elevated liver enzymes (liver function)
  • LP- low platelets counts (platelets help the blood clot)

It is often assumed that HELLP Syndrome will always occur in connection with preeclampsia, but there are times when the symptoms of HELLP will occur without a diagnosis of preeclampsia being made. Unfortunately since the symptoms of HELLP syndrome may be the first sign of preeclampsia, this is what can often lead to a misdiagnoses.

What are the Symptoms of HELLP Syndrome?

The most common symptoms of HELLP syndrome include:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea and vomiting that continue to get worse (this may also feel like a serious case of the flu.)
  • Upper right abdominal pain or tenderness 
  • Fatigue or malaise

A woman with HELLP may experience other symptoms that often can be attributed to other things such as normal pregnancy concerns or other pregnancy conditions. These symptoms may include:

  • Visual disturbances
  • High blood pressure
  • Protein in urine
  • Edema (swelling)
  • Severe headaches
  • Bleeding

How is HELLP Syndrome Diagnosed?

Because the symptoms of HELLP can mimic many other conditions or complications, it is encouraged that physicians run a series of blood tests, including liver function, on any woman experiencing symptoms during the third trimester of pregnancy. HELLP syndrome may occur before the third trimester but it is rare. It also may occur within 48 hours of delivery, although symptoms may take up to 7 days to be evident.

Blood pressure measurements and urine tests to check for protein are often monitored when diagnosing HELLP syndrome. But the following tests and results are what help a physician to make an accurate diagnosis of HELLP Syndrome:

Hemolysis -Red blood bells

  • Abnormal peripheral smear
  • Lacatate dehydrogenase >600 U/L
  • Bilirubin > 1.2 mg/dl

Elevated liver Enzyme levels

  • Serum aspartate amniotransferase >70 U/L
  • Lacatate dehydrogenase >600 U/L

Low Platelets

  • Platelet count

How is HELLP Syndrome Treated?

The treatment of HELLP Syndrome is primarily based on the gestation of the pregnancy, but delivery of the baby is the best way to stop this condition from causing any serious complications for mom and baby. Most symptoms and side effects of HELLP will subside within 2-3 days of delivery.

If the pregnancy is less than 34 weeks gestation, doctors usually try to evaluate lung function of baby to see how well delivery would be handled.

Treatment’s that may be used to manage HELLP until baby is delivered include:

  • Bed rest and admission into a medical facility to be monitored closely
  • Corticosteroid ( to help babies lungs develop more rapidly)
  • Magnesium Sulfate ( to help prevent seizures)
  • Blood transfusion if platelet count gets too low
  • Blood pressure medication
  • Fetal monitoring and tests including biophysical tests, sonograms, non stress tests and fetal movement evaluation

If pregnancy is over 34 weeks gestation or the symptoms of HELLP begin to worsen, delivery is the recommended course of treatment.

In the past, Cesarean delivery was the most common way for delivery of babies whose moms were dealing with HELLP syndrome. But it is now recommended that women, who are at least 34 weeks gestation and have a favorable cervix, should be given a “trial of labor” (TOL). HELLP syndrome does not cause reason for an automatic cesarean and in some situations, operative surgery may cause more complications due to the possibility of blood clotting problems related to low platelet counts. 

What Causes HELLP Syndrome?

Doctors are still unclear on what exactly causes HELLP syndrome. Although it is more common in women who have preeclampsia or pregnancy induced hypertension, there are still a number of women who get it without previously showing signs of preeclampsia.

The following is a list of factors that are believed to increase the risk of a woman developing HELLP syndrome:

  • Previous pregnancy with HELLP Syndrome (19-27% chance of recurrence in each pregnancy)
  • Preeclampsia or pregnancy induced hypertension
  • Women over the age of 25
  • Caucasian
  • Multiparous (given birth two or more times)

What are the Risks and Complications of HELLP Syndrome?

If HELLP syndrome is undiagnosed or untreated, it can result in life threatening complications for both mother and baby. The most serious complications and risks of HELLP syndrome include:

  • Placental Abruption
  • Pulmonary Edema ( fluid buildup in the lungs)
  • Diseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC—blood clotting problems that result in hemorrhage)
  • Adult Respiratory distress syndrome (lung failure)
  • Ruptured liver hematoma
  • Acute renal failure
  • Intrauterine Growth restriction (IUGR)
  • Infant respiratory Distress syndrome (lung failure)
  • Blood transfusion

The maternal mortality rate is 1.1% with HELLP syndrome. The infant morbidity and mortality rate is anywhere from 10-60% depending on many factors such as gestation of pregnancy, severity of symptoms and the promptness of treatment.

How can HELLP Syndrome be Prevented?

Because there is not a known cause for HELLP syndrome, there is also no identified way to prevent it. Early identification and treatment is the best way to keep HELLP syndrome from getting serious.

For more information on HELLP Syndrome please see the AAFP’s – HELLP Syndrome: Recognition and Perinatal Management

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Happy 1st Birthday Ansley

21 Wednesday Mar 2012

Posted by amomentinmarch in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

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first birthday

I am going to break in my story to recognize Ansley’s first birthday.  She was born “sleeping” at 6:15 in the morning March 21, 2011.

Dear Ansley,

I thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new.  
I thought about you yesterday and the day before that too.  
I think of you in silence.  I often say your name.  
But all I have are memories and your picture in a frame.

Your memory is my keepsake, with which I’ll never part.  
God has you in His keeping.  I have you in my heart. 
 I shed tears for what might have been.  A million times I’ve cried.  
If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly.  In death I love you still.  
In my heart you hold a place no one can ever fill.  
It broke my heart to lose you but you didn’t go alone  
for part of me went with you, the day God took you home.

The tree was planted in memory of Ansley on her 1st. birthday.

Ansley's Birthday Cake

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