Pregnancy can often be painted in rosy hues, but my own journey took an unexpected detour into the serious realm of HELLP Syndrome. I share my experience not to elicit sympathy but to raise awareness about this rare yet critical pregnancy complication. So, let’s dive in.
Initially, my pregnancy was a fantasy. I navigated through eight months of blissful afternoons filled with naps, a supportive partner who indulged my cravings (although he still owes me a foot rub), and countless doctor visits that seemed to repeat the same questions. I gained weight at a normal pace and enjoyed plenty of ice cream. Life was good—until I hit 35 weeks.
During that week, while my partner was away on a business trip, I began to feel unwell. I craved Ginger Ale and saltines, and my appetite dwindled to almost nothing. After days of feeling worse, I reached out to my doctor.
Fast forward a few days, and things escalated quickly. My doctor was pacing the hospital room, urgently requesting an operating room as she gently informed me that I had mere hours before my baby and I faced serious danger. I barely processed the gravity of the situation as I faded in and out of consciousness. I was to undergo an emergency C-section under general anesthesia, and my husband wouldn’t be able to be with me during this life-changing moment. I had to ask myself—wasn’t I supposed to be awake for this?
When I finally regained consciousness, I found myself in intensive care, surrounded by machines and tubes, completely unaware of my baby’s whereabouts. My husband, bless him, stayed by my side, tending to our newborn and dealing with countless inquiries from family members about my condition.
As for our little one? He was born a month early and ended up fighting pneumonia in the NICU for a week. Today, he’s a healthy, happy five-month-old who fills our lives with joy.
Meanwhile, my recovery from HELLP Syndrome—a serious condition involving liver and kidney failure—was a long road. Most people don’t know about this condition because it’s tucked away in the back of pregnancy books under “serious complications.” Who wants to read about potential risks that could affect both mom and baby? Unfortunately, it’s a reality for some, and it’s a conversation worth having.
After spending several days in ICU, I was finally moved to a regular room. I couldn’t believe it when a nurse casually mentioned a patio outside after I had been cooped up for six days. Seriously, every moment in the summer counts when you live in Minnesota!
While my birth experience wasn’t what I had envisioned, I gained so much more than I lost. I may not remember holding my son for the first time, and I didn’t get to feed him his first meal, but I do have a healthy baby, a supportive partner (who’s off the hook for that foot rub now), and a doctor who genuinely cares about my well-being. My body is resilient, recovering from a tough ordeal, and my little fighter? He’s proving to be as tough as they come.
For all the expecting mothers out there: be prepared to toss that “birth plan” out the window. Embrace the unpredictability of motherhood. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how your child enters the world; what matters is the love and care you provide as their mom.
If you’d like to read more about similar experiences, check out this blog post. And if you’re considering at-home insemination, Make a Mom offers reputable kits to help. For a deeper understanding of the process, this resource is a great place to start.
Summary
My journey through HELLP Syndrome during pregnancy was far from the idyllic experience I had anticipated. Despite the challenges, I emerged with a healthy baby, a supportive partner, and a newfound appreciation for the unpredictability of motherhood. Remember, each birth story is unique, and it’s essential to embrace whatever comes your way.
Leave a Reply