2024 Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood Charleston

Chelsey’s pregnancy was pretty typical; however, around 27 weeks Chelsey started to experience some odd symptoms. At each check-up, the doctors ran tests to rule out anything nefarious and declared these were normal third-trimester symptoms. 

At 35 weeks, Chelsey felt excruciating abdominal pain. The tests came back clear again, and Chelsey was prescribed heartburn medication and told to come into the hospital if the pain persisted. It did, so we went to the hospital. Blood pressure, protein levels and even a non-stress test all came back normal. With no other indicators of an issue beyond her agonizing pain, Chelsey’s doctor prescribed muscle relaxers and planned to send the couple home the next morning.  

Fortunately, a nurse on staff took some blood and the following morning, at exactly 36 weeks into the pregnancy, a large team of medical professionals zoomed into the room, exclaiming that Chelsey had an atypical presentation of HELLP Syndrome and would deliver today.  

The delivery happened very quickly after Chelsey was given many medications, and Cooper was born healthy later that day. Chelsey got much sicker in the hours following his birth. We stayed at the hospital about a week while Chelsey recovered.  

The pain Chelsey was complaining of was her liver on the brink of rupturing. HELLP stands for Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, and Low Platelet Count. HELLP Syndrome isn’t really considered unless a mother first is diagnosed with preeclampsia, usually the precursor for HELLP, which Chelsey didn’t have. The only cure is to deliver the baby. The symptoms Chelsey had been experiencing were all indicative of HELLP, except Chelsey never had unusual protein levels or elevated blood pressure.   

As far as health complications for Cooper’s premature birth go, he had elevated bilirubin levels and had to undergo phototherapy. When he was about two months old, he underwent anesthesia and surgery for hernias. 

Chelsey suffered from Acute Stress Disorder and then Bell’s Palsy, which was likely related. 

After much discussion with various medical professionals, we felt uncomfortable risking the health of Chelsey or any future children and chose to pursue adoption. We now have two beautiful boys, Cooper and Edwin. 

We hope that by sharing our story we can help save the lives of expectant mothers by spreading awareness about HELLP Syndrome and the important work that March of Dimes is doing in research, education and advocacy for moms and babies.