Pregnancy is a time in a woman’s life when many concerns arise. We hear about so many precautions and so many diseases that often some women get lost and don’t know exactly how to care for themselves or prevent all of them. Many try not to seek out information about negative things that can happen during pregnancy, but it is necessary to be informed about everything that can impact your body during this period, such as hellp syndrome.

During pregnancy, the woman’s body goes through severe changes, probably the most profound of her life, and sometimes this can leave the body more vulnerable. With the immune system constantly changing, various diseases such as certain types of urinary tract infections, pre-eclampsia, and hepatitis can arise to complicate a pregnancy. But we rarely hear about one of these, which, although rare, is dangerous, as is the case with hellp syndrome.

What is Hellp Syndrome?

Hellp syndrome is a rare and very dangerous disease, posing risks to both the mother and the baby. It usually appears as a complication of pre-eclampsia, which is high blood pressure caused by pregnancy.

It is estimated that 8% of women who have pre-eclampsia also develop hellp syndrome, although it can also appear independently. The disease basically consists of an unrestrained rise in blood pressure during pregnancy.

Risks of the Syndrome

It presents much stronger and more dangerous symptoms than pre-eclampsia and can cause a stroke that may lead to the woman’s death. Because it is such a dangerous disease, hellp syndrome needs to be treated as quickly as possible.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made through tests and must be done as quickly as possible so that the obstetrician can assess the level of severity of the disease. Pregnant women are advised that, if they feel any of the symptoms of hellp syndrome, they should immediately notify their doctor so that a test can be performed and the woman can be evaluated.

Causes of Hellp Syndrome

Hellp syndrome occurs due to a series of factors that ultimately cause a decrease in platelet count and fragmentation of blood cells.

Women with heart problems, lupus, diabetes, or chronic kidney issues are more likely to develop hellp syndrome, which does not mean they will necessarily have the disease. As mentioned above, pre-eclampsia can also worsen until it becomes hellp syndrome.

Symptoms of Hellp Syndrome

This disease is notorious for having a variety of symptoms, which is exactly why it is difficult to diagnose. Some of the main symptoms of hellp syndrome are:

  • Headaches
  • Constant malaise
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Swelling
  • High blood pressure
  • Vision changes
  • High arterial pressure
  • Pain when taking a deep breath

Some of these symptoms combined may indicate that the pregnant woman is developing the disease. Of course, these are not all the symptoms, and only through tests and a correct diagnosis by an obstetrician can it be confirmed that the woman has hellp syndrome.

Treatment of Hellp Syndrome

There is no treatment for this disease and the only way to stop it is by ending the pregnancy. For this reason, many women need to have an emergency cesarean section or a induced labor. In more severe cases, the woman may lose the baby or even die.

This can happen because hellp syndrome, when not treated, can end up causing complications such as acute pulmonary edema, liver rupture, kidney failure, various types of hemorrhages, or even heart failure.
Although rare, there are cases where the doctor can treat the patient with medications that induce the baby’s lung maturation, so that induced labor is not necessary, or at least its need can be postponed.

How to Prevent Hellp Syndrome?

There is no way to prevent this disease specifically, since it usually develops as a complication of other pre-existing conditions. However, there are some tips that may be useful for women who are in this risk group, such as making sure they are in good physical shape before getting pregnant and having proper monitoring with an obstetrician.

Of course, these things will not necessarily prevent hellp syndrome from developing, but they can be very useful even if the disease does appear, since your body will be more prepared and consequently will be less affected.

It has also been proven that early diagnosis is very helpful for the lives of both the woman and the baby. For this reason, the main advice given by doctors is for women to seek help as soon as they suspect they may be suffering from hellp syndrome.

There are many types of diseases or complications that a woman can have during pregnancy, each one with a different level of severity and requiring a specific type of treatment. Diseases like hellp syndrome are very frightening because it seems there are not many options for women, but there are always ways that can help in a difficult moment like this.

Despite being a serious disease that can harm or even end lives, hellp syndrome must be seen as a condition that can be cured, where there is a chance for both the mother and the baby to come through safely. It is also always important for a mother to know that, if she has had this type of illness once, it is likely to happen again in a future pregnancy and therefore she needs to take various precautions before getting pregnant again.

See also: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome