Maternity: HELLP Syndrome

Dr. Sarah Bedell, Obstetrician and Gynecologist with Baptist Health South Florida, explains HELLP Syndrome is a very specific type of preeclampsia, which is a condition that only happens in pregnancy. HELLP stands for H (hemolysis), EL (elevated liver enzymes), and LP (low platelets counts).

She says they are not sure what causes it, but it can start with some high blood pressure towards the end of pregnancy, so they have to do some extra monitoring to see if they have to deliver the baby early. Other symptoms are headaches, nausea and vomiting that continue to get worse, and fatigue or malaise.

[tarakennedy]

I kept complaining of sharp pain in my stomach and was told it was heartburn 😫 I had severe pre-clampsia twice

[cksiredower]

It also happens immediately after birth as in my case