Hellp Syndrome

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

HELLP stands for H emolysis, E levated L iver enzymes, and L ow P latelet count. It occurs in pregnancy with other conditions such as high blood pressure, weight gain, or convulsions. HELLP syndrome may also occur the first few days after delivery.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Follow up with your primary healthcare provider or obstetrician as directed:

You will need to see your obstetrician for all of your prenatal visits. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

Rest:

Rest when you feel it is needed. Slowly start to do more each day. Return to your daily activities as directed.

Eat healthy foods:

Eat a variety of healthy foods including fruits, vegetables, breads, meat, fish, and dairy products. This is good for your baby and may help you feel better and have more energy. You may need to limit foods that are high in sodium. Some examples are soy sauce, potato chips, and soup. Do not add salt to food you cook. This may help decrease your blood pressure.

Keep track of your baby's movements:

This can be done every day in the morning, in the evening, or both. Check his movements one hour after you eat a meal. While lying down, count every movement that you feel from your baby for 30 minutes. You may want to count for an extra 30 minutes if you are having trouble feeling movement. Contact your obstetrician if you notice that your baby is moving less.

Keep track of your blood pressure and weight:

• You may need to check and write down your blood pressure. Your primary healthcare provider or obstetrician will tell you how often to do this. It is important to measure your blood pressure on the same arm and in the same position every time. Keep track of your blood pressure readings, along with the date and time you took them. Take this record to your prenatal visits.
  
  
• Weigh yourself daily. Do this first thing in the morning after you urinate, but before you eat breakfast. Call your obstetrician if you gain more weight than recommended in 1 day. Keep track of your daily weights and take the record to your prenatal visits.

Contact your primary healthcare provider or obstetrician if:

• You have a headache that does not go away.
  
  
• You have trouble thinking clearly.
  
  
• You baby is moving less often.
  
  
• You gain more weight in 1 day than your obstetrician or PHP recommends.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• You check your blood pressure and it is higher than what you have been told it should be.
  
  
• You feel like you are going to pass out.
  
  
• You have a seizure.
  
  
• You have a sudden blurring or loss of vision.
  
  
• You have chest pain and trouble breathing.
  
  
• You have severe abdominal pain.
  
  
• You are bleeding from your vagina, coughing up blood, or have a nosebleed.

Learn more about Hellp Syndrome (Discharge Care)