DIC experience?

DDRN4me · Jan 27, 2008

have a friend who just delivered at 38 weeks ; her first pregnancy was very complicated and she developed HELLP; no probs with this one.

NurseNora, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2008

It sounds as though she had PIH (pregnancy induced hypertension) also called preeclampsia. The symptoms include high blood pressure, swelling and protein in the urine. Blurry vision may be a symptom of cerebral edema, which if untreated can lead to convulsions (eclampsia). So they delivered her early. It is not unusual for these babies to be small for gestational age because the disease keeps the placenta from functioning to the best of its ability. PIH does affect the kidneys (protein in the urine) and I have seen patients go into renal shut down as a result. Kidney function does usually return, can't remember if any damage is permanant or temporary.

A woman who has had PIH once is more likely to have it with a subsequent pregnancy than is a woman who has not had it, but it doesn't always return. In a future pregnancy, she will be more closely monitored for this disease and possible put on bedrest and medication, not so much to prevent the disease (they still don't know the exact cause other than pregancy and although there are many treatments, delivery of the baby is the only sure fire cure) as to delay the onset and progression of the symptoms.

Be sure your relative discusses her particular situation with her physician. If she has and still has unanswered questions, she can ask for another appointment with the physician specifically to ask questions. Perhaps you could accompany her as a resource. When I was being treated for breast cancer, I always took a friend to the doctor with me, then afterwards we discussed what we had heard. It's amazing how much she remembered that I'd forgotten, and visa versa.