Nursing Diagnosis

Four Potential Nursing Diagnoses for a potential patient with HELLP syndrome

1 *  Risk for maternal injury R/T potential for seizure and organ damage AEB high blood pressure, proteinuria, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets.

2 *  Fluid volume deficit R/T plasma protein loss AEB proteinuria, pitting edema, and weight gain.

3 *  Ineffective uteroplacental tissue perfusion R/T hypertension AEB maternal headaches, elevated blood pressures, and fetal intolerance.

4 *  Anxiety R/T unknown outcomes of condition, labor and delivery AEB statements of fear and elevated heart rate



stop sign picture: http://www.kabe243.com/blog/labels/Funny.html

Support Groups

"Are there others like me?"
             "How will I get through this?"

Many mothers have been through what you are experiencing and can be there to help you discuss what you're going through and how you're feeling. The internet is wonderful for connecting people with similar situations and providing a support network for those in need.

Below are just a few of the many, many, support options out there! Be sure to look locally for groups that meet in person too to make new friends and receive that support from your community!



http://www.preeclampsia.org/the-news/44-press-releases/121-preeclampsia-foundation-and-the-hellp-syndrome-society-announce-merger


https://www.inspire.com/groups/living-after-infertility-resolution/discussion/hellp-syndrome-survivor-group-free-peer-led/

https://promisewalk.wordpress.com/category/hellp-syndrome/

http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/advice-support-40/birth-trauma-support-601/689543-hellp-second-child-fears.html

ribbon picture: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/29/fa/91/29fa91fb083fcb126518040abdbaead0.jpg

hellp&back picture: http://www.zazzle.com/ive_been_through_hellp_and_back_shirt-235554081201633724

Nursing Care- Recommended Apps to track your health!

"How can I better manage my health?"

If you are feeling proactive and want to keep track of your health, thanks to modern technology, there are many things you can track at the push of a finger on your smart phone! While there are no HELLP specific apps, there are apps that will help you track either your pregnancy or your blood pressure and other health factors. 

Health Tracker PRO

This app will allow you to log and track your blood pressure, as well as you resting heart rate, BMI, and blood sugar.

It is available for both apple and windows phones.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/health-tracker-manager-for/id366266931?mt=8

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/apps/health-tracker-pro/9nblggh0gwpq

Smart BP

This app in conjunction with a home cuff, will sync with you health records to allow you to track your pressures and show your doc your trends from home.

It is available for both apple and windows phones.

http://www.evolvemedsys.com

BabyBump Pregnancy Pro

     This app will help you keep track of where you are in your pregnancy. It will tell you what is happening week by week and also let you journal your experience and track questions you may have for your doctor.

It is available for both apple and window phones.

https://babybumpapp.com/babybump/home

My Baby's Beat

This app is a wonderful little tool that allows you to lay your phone on your stomach and have your microphone pick up fetal heart tones. While it won't help you with symptoms, it will give you peace of mind to hear your little one is happy and healthy.

It is available for both apple and windows phones.

https://mybabysbeat.com

Phone picture: https://www.puretalkusa.com/blog/preserve-your-cell-phone-data/

Nursing Care- Website Recommendations

"Where can I learn more?"

There are lots of places you can go to learn more about this condition and educate yourself on what to expect and what to watch for! Here are a few great options.

http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-complications/hellp-syndrome/

http://www.preeclampsia.org/health-information/hellp-syndrome

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/preeclampsia/basics/complications/con-20031644

http://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/hellpsyndrome.aspx#

Treatment Options

 

"HELP! I have HELLP! What now?"

Say your doctor has assessed you, run tests, and has now determined that you do have HELLP syndrome. So how do you proceed? What can you expect?

Depending on many factors, the doctor will decide to treat you preemptively, cautiously in the hospital, or determine that you need to be delivered for the safety of you and the baby.

The most common major options for treatment are as follows:

* If you are more than 34 weeks pregnant, current recommendations are to deliver you immediately for the health of both you and your baby. The risk of continuing pregnancy with treatment does is more than  possible benefit that you will resolve your HELLP and recover after delivery, and that your baby will be healthier outside the womb.

*For women between 27 and 34 weeks of pregnancy, the focus will be stabilization of the mothers clinical condition and starting steroid therapy, as well as treatments with magnesium sulfate, platelet infusion, blood pressure medications, and tests for baby such as biophysical profiles, ultrasounds, and non-stress tests to monitor fetal wellbeing. Then reevaluating within 48 hours for the need to deliver to resolve symptoms.

*Before 27 weeks gestation, focus will be on conservatively managing mothers condition with the above treatments, but treatment will vary based on condition and provider preference and policies.

While immediate delivery usually consists of a c-section for moms who are less than 34 weeks, if a mom is further along and both mom and baby will tolerate, a trial of labor for vaginal delivery may be attempted before rushing to surgery.

The other thing to keep in mind is that while delivery of the infant is the cure, symptoms can increase for the first 24-48 hours, before beginning to resolve at 3-4 days post partum. Rarely the condition can continue into the first week or two.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2654858/

http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-complications/hellp-syndrome/

http://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/0901/p829.html

treatment diagram: http://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/0901/p829.html

Signs & Symptoms

"What sort of symptoms should I be watching for?"

Some of the major signs and symptoms that you should be alert to at home, are:

* Headaches (severe or worstening)

* Nausea or vomiting that is getting worse

* Upper right abdominal pain or tenderness

* Fatigue or "not feeling well" that is more than usual with pregnancy

* Edema (swelling of the feet, ankles, hands, face)


These are the most common signs. More critical signs may include:

* Bleeding
* Visual changes
* Chest tightening or radiating shoulder pain

Your doctor may assess and tell you that you have:

* High blood pressure
* Protein in your urine
* Abnormal lab values

All of these symptoms can mean that you are developing HELLP syndrome. Some of these by themselves can be normal in pregnancy, but need to be evaluated by a professional. Some women with HELLP syndrome may only show some symptoms and not others, while others may show all symptoms. Only a doctor can diagnose you, but these are just some of the things you would want to watch out for and report to your health care provider for the safety of you and your baby!

Many times HELLP syndrome begins with mild symptoms of pregnancy induced hypertension, or preeclampsia, some show no signs at all until things have developed! It is important to catch things early for early treatment to prevent complications. The most common reasons a mother becomes severely ill (or possible death) are from stroke, hemorrhage, or liver rupture. All of these outcomes can be prevented by early diagnosis and treatment. If you feel like you are exhibiting symptoms, please contact your provider for an assessment!



http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-complications/hellp-syndrome/

http://www.preeclampsia.org/health-information/hellp-syndrome

blood pressure picture: https://www.healthtap.com/topics/does-history-of-therapeutic-abortion-cause-hellp-syndrome

pregnancy picture:http://www.crecerfeliz.es/content/search?SearchText=%22sindrome+couvade%22

symptoms picture:http://www.whatthehellp.com/free-stuff.html