ANOTHER HIGH-RISK PREGNANCY STORY 

Here we’ll be discussing a specific pregnancy complication that is close to my heart: preeclampsia. Radha, a 35-year-old multigravida had HELLP syndrome (the more severe case of preeclampsia) when she was pregnant with her son.

Before we dive into Radha’s story, we want to give a brief look at what this complication is. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and excess protein in the urine. It usually happens after 20 weeks of pregnancy and can lead to dangerous health concerns for both the mother and the baby – both pre and postpartum. HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count) syndrome usually develops before the 37th week of pregnancy but can occur shortly after delivery. It is a rare and more severe form of preeclampsia that occurs in less than 1% of pregnancies.

The most common symptoms are low platelet count (so your blood can’t clot as it should) and elevated liver enzymes. Some major risk factors include if this is the first pregnancy, age (very young women and women over 35 are at higher risk), family history of preeclampsia, multiple pregnancies (twins and up).

 Radha was a 35-year-old uneducated female with previously a normal vaginal delivery and a caesarian section 2 yrs. back landed into the hospital emergency in term state (38 weeks pregnant). On examination, she had high blood pressure 190/110 and sugar was also high at 400 mg%. Totally clueless about the risks there are a  lot of unbooked pregnant patients who just land up to nursing homes in the last stages of pregnancy. These high-risk patients can give even the best gynecologist goosebumps as two lives are at stake.

Anyway, we started the treatment. Insulin infusion was started in an emergency to control her sugars and labetalol infusion was started to control her blood pressure. Routine blood investigations were sent which showed a low platelet count of 54000/mm3 and elevated liver enzymes (AST 100 Units/L and ALT 120 Units/L) signifying liver damage. We were dealing with Preeclampsia.

Once preeclampsia has been diagnosed, it can be “cured” only by delivery of the baby and this may mean inducing labor (starting labor artificially), although this depends on how far along the pregnancy is. If labor is not progressing fast we may have to take her up for an emergency C-Section but for that we needed to correct her low platelet counts first prior to C-Section. 

Lots of fears are creeping into my mind as these preeclamptic patients can develop seizures (Eclampsia), stroke (intracranial bleeding), renal failure, and the unborn child is at risk of intrauterine death. Abruptio placenta can occur and also post-partum hemorrhage. You can not explain these fears to a term pregnant, anxious female but as a senior gynecologist, I have seen all these complications at some point in time.

It was 1 pm in the afternoon and I started inducing Radha to fasten the delivery with oxytocin infusion. On the other hand, platelets were being transfused along with labetalol and insulin to lower BP and sugar. Because the platelets were low and the blood wasn’t clotting, we couldn’t offer epidural analgesia to Radha to manage her labor pains.  Her husband and other family members were praying along with me in our hearts.  At around 2 am in the night after 12 hours of waiting Radha delivered a healthy male child. She had apparently lost a ton of blood during the delivery, ended up staying in the hospital for five days.

We hope Radha’s story resonates with women who are experiencing something similar and that they can take comfort in knowing that they’re not alone. Every mom is a hero and every child is a miracle!

About Dr. Anita Singla  
delivered a healthy male child. She had apparently lost a ton of blood during the delivery, ended up staying in the hospital for five days.  We hope Radha’s story resonates with women who are experiencing something similar and that they can take comfort in knowing that they’re not alone. Every mom is a hero and every child is a miracle!

As one of the nation’s leading OB-GYNs, Dr. Anita Singla offers the very best in gynecological and obstetric care. Together with her warm professional team, Dr. Anita supports women through all phases of life. She fosters a special one-on-one relationship between patient and doctor.

If you have any queries, feel free to call Dr. Anita Singla Gynae Clinic at +919717236321

Or direct visit here …

Aggarwal’s Gynae and Spine Pain Clinic, Flat No. 379 A Room 1, Regent Tower, opposite Central Market, Shipra Suncity, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201014