This week, I am excited to share another interview with a HELLP Syndrome survivor who had HELLP Syndrome at 27 weeks. HELLP Syndrome survivors are amazing and strong women who have faced some of the worst things you can face during pregnancy and postpartum.
In the past, I have interviewed a preeclampsia survivor from the UK and her husband as well as a postpartum preeclampsia survivor. I also interviewed a preeclampsia survivor who started her own Instagram page to bring awareness to NICU babies. I am in awe of these strong women who have taken something so traumatic and horrible into something that helps others.
I am a preeclampsia survivor myself, and if you would like to read my premature birth story and journey with preeclampsia, click here
Table of Contents
HELLP Sydrome at 27 Weeks
About Me
My name is Lauren and I’m 33 years old. I’m a first-time mom. I’m a registered dietitian and I actually transitioned to working in the NICU after I returned to work following my FMLA. My husband, daughter Harper, our dog Gibson and I live in the Savannah, Georgia area.
Tell Me About Your Pregancy
My pregnancy was wonderful and challenging at the same time. I had significant nausea at the end of my first trimester through the beginning of my second. I was pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic so there were what felt like endless restrictions. My husband wasn’t able to attend most of my appointments. At the same time, I was thrilled to be pregnant, after 2 years of trying and having success on our first round of Clomid. I loved my growing belly and feeling her kick. I was so excited to be having a little girl!
What was it like the day your baby was born?
I had Harper at 4:13 am on a Sunday morning. I felt like I was in a haze after my C section and but remember I was determined to start pumping. I swear someone told me I would be able to see her at noon that day but because I was on a Magnesium drip I was later told I couldn’t see her until I was off the magnesium the following day. I had a bit of a meltdown so my nurse pulled some strings and got me into the NICU by 4 that afternoon. I was in love but I was terrified and overwhelmed.
When did you know something was wrong?
I didn’t have any typical symptoms of HELLP Syndrome and being my first pregnancy I assumed most of what I was feeling was normal. My abnormal labs followed by a nose bleed at work was when I started to realize something was wrong even though I wouldn’t fully admit it.
Tell me about your hospital stay when you were diagnosed with HELLP Syndome at 27 weeks.
Honestly, it was such a blur with the medication. I became so focused on pumping 8 times a day and seeing Harper that I wasn’t really focused on what I had just gone through. Since it was during the COVID-19 pandemic I couldn’t have any visitors
other than my husband. I was discharged one week after everything had fallen apart.
How has your life changed since the HELLP Syndrome at 27 weeks diagnosis?
I’ve been very lucky that my blood pressure has normalized and I don’t have any long-term health complications. I don’t feel like I can safely have another baby through which breaks my heart.
Did you struggle with any emotions of failure/upset after you got HELLP Syndrome at 27 weeks?
Absolutely. I’m sad and angry that this happened to me. While my rational brain knows it wasn’t my fault, my irrational brain feels like my body failed us. I hate thinking that it was my body failing that made Harper suffer through a 3 month NICU stay.
How long did you suffer from the effects of HELLP Syndrome at 27 weeks?
By my 2-month follow-up visit, my blood pressure was back to normal.
Describe your journey with HELLP Syndrome at 27 weeks in 3 words.
Disappointed, lucky, jaded
Did you know HELLP Syndrome could happen before it happend to you?
I did. I actually have a cousin that also had HELLP but I didn’t know the details. While I should have been better educated I also didn’t want to be anxious about all the things that could go wrong in my pregnancy.
I am grateful Lauren was willing to share her birth story of developing HELLP Syndrome at 27 weeks. I know that because she shared her story, another woman going through the same thing will know she isn’t alone. Every time I put together a blog post of a survivor sharing her story, I am moved at the strength and courage they go through battling this disease and then turning around and sharing so others aren’t alone.
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