Patient education: HELLP syndrome (The Basics)

What is HELLP syndrome? — This is a serious condition some people get when they are pregnant. It can cause pain in the upper belly and other symptoms. Some people with HELLP syndrome also have high blood pressure and too much protein in their urine.

The term "HELLP" comes from changes that can be seen on blood tests:

●H – Hemolysis, which is the breakdown of red blood cells.

●EL – Elevated liver enzymes (enzymes are a type of protein that increase in the blood when the liver is injured).

●LP – Low platelets (platelets are cells that help blood to clot).

HELLP syndrome usually happens in the last 3 months of pregnancy, but it can also happen earlier. It can even happen 1 or 2 days after giving birth.

What are the symptoms of HELLP syndrome? — The symptoms include:

●Belly pain, especially in the middle or right upper belly

●Nausea or vomiting

●Feeling sick

How will HELLP syndrome affect my pregnancy and my baby? — HELLP syndrome can be dangerous for you and your baby. It can:

●Harm your blood cells and your liver, kidneys, and other organs

●Harm your placenta – The placenta is the organ that brings the baby nutrients and oxygen and takes away waste. It might bleed and begin to separate from your uterus before your baby is born. If this happens, it can be dangerous for you and your baby. You might have vaginal bleeding, and your baby might not get all of the nutrients and oxygen they need.

Having HELLP syndrome can make it more likely that your baby will:

●Be born early – Being born early can cause babies to have lung, eye, brain, and other problems.

●Be small

Is there a test for HELLP syndrome? — Yes. HELLP syndrome causes many changes in the blood. To check for the condition, your doctor or nurse can do a series of blood tests. You might also have other tests, but that is not always necessary.

How is HELLP syndrome treated? — When HELLP syndrome develops during pregnancy, the only cure is giving birth to the baby. Doctors usually treat the condition by giving medicines to start labor, even if that means that the baby will be born early. In some cases, doctors recommend cesarean birth (surgery to get the baby out) instead. The risks of having HELLP are worse than the risks of your baby being born early.

Doctors sometimes give people steroid medicines for 2 days before birth. These medicines speed up the growth of your baby's lungs so they can breathe more easily after birth.

Other treatments might include:

●Medicines to control high blood pressure

●Medicines to prevent seizures – HELLP is a severe form of a condition called preeclampsia, which can cause seizures.

●Blood transfusion, which is when you get blood that has been donated by another person

After you give birth, your doctor will want to do more blood tests to make sure that you are recovering.

What if I want to get pregnant again? — If you had HELLP syndrome in 1 pregnancy, you could have it again. You also have a higher chance of getting preeclampsia.

Before you get pregnant again, see your doctor or nurse for a checkup. Talk with your doctor, nurse, or midwife about HELLP syndrome, preeclampsia, and other health conditions that could affect your next pregnancy.

When should I call the doctor? — See your doctor, nurse, or midwife right away if you are pregnant and:

●You have belly pain, especially in the middle or right upper belly.

●You have nausea and vomiting, especially if you also have belly pain.

More on this topic

Patient education: Preeclampsia (The Basics)
Patient education: High blood pressure and pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: Labor induction (The Basics)
Patient education: Cesarean birth (The Basics)

Patient education: Preeclampsia (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: C-section (cesarean delivery) (Beyond the Basics)