APA AND HELLP SYNDROME-question re: surrogacy

lkw787

2 Posts
Reply Posted on: Jan 17, 2012 at 9:00pm
Hi Dr. Braverman:

My story:

I suffered three fetal demises (all naturally conceived pgs) at the end of the first trimester after 2 good u/s with h/b. At the advice of my therapist I consulted Dr. William Matzner of Van Nuys. He recommended a long list of tests not covered by insurance so I took that list to my RE, Dr. Richard Marrs (in whose care I lost two of the pregnancies). Dr. Marrs said that if I were to get pg again (based on the test results that I had run by West Coast labs, an independent lab) I should inject lovenox for the duration of the pg and also take low dose prednisone during the first trimester.

So with my DE IVF pg (I was 41 when I lost the last pg and couldn't face the prospect of another loss so decided to move on to DE) I did both. I informed my OB of my protocol. One week before my scheduled c-section (necessary due to a large intramural fibroid blocking my cervix) however, she took me off of lovenox. At the same time, she took me off of close monitoring. Two days later I came down with HELLP Syndrome that gave me a serious stroke that put me in a four week long coma and necessitated $11,000 worth of blood transfusions as well as emergency c-section and craniotomy. 2 days after suffering the stroke my liver ruptured and for a while it looked like I might need a liver transplant but luckily my liver healed itself. Once out of the coma, I did a year of speech, occupational and neuro cognitive rehab and PT (I had to relearn how to breathe, swallow, walk, and talk again) but still suffer some deficits (mostly short term memory issues and pathfinding problems) as well as PTSD.

I have been told that HELLP has a high incidence of repeat so I am not allowed to carry another pregnancy. However, we have frozen embryos from our cycle. I am wondering what the odds are that a surrogate might be at risk for HELLP and what tests, if any, we should have run on a potential surrogate should we try to pursue that route for a second child. I'm guessing that we will stop at one beautiful child we were blessed enough to have but I can't help but wonder.

Thanks ahead of time for your feedback.

Sincerely,

Lisa
mom to DD Sarah
via DE IVF (eset blast transfer)
after 3 mcs of naturally conceived pgs
many failed IUIs, 2 failed IVFs with my oe
lap surgery to remove endo

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
RE: APA AND HELLP SYNDROME-question re: surrogacy Posted on: Jan 18, 2012 at 10:30am
a healthy surrogate should have no increased risk for HELLP. I am very sorry for all that you have gone through, let me know if there is any thing I can help you with.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.

lkw787

2 Posts
Reply RE: APA AND HELLP SYNDROME-question re: surrogacy Posted on: Jan 18, 2012 at 2:30pm
THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPLY. That is very good news.

Sincerely,

Lisa

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
RE: APA AND HELLP SYNDROME-question re: surrogacy Posted on: Jan 20, 2012 at 5:30pm
You're quite welcome good luck.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.