One variant of this condition is called HELLP syndrome. If not caught early enough, a mother may face a high risk of death. No family should have to go through watching a mother pass away from preventable injuries or conditions, which is why all doctors involved in the care of the mother leading up to labor and delivery should always be prepared to react if the mother develops this syndrome.

Monitoring a mother and baby for potential complications over the course of the birth process is something that every doctor should engage in. Unfortunately, a serious syndrome could compromise the life of both mother and child. The rates are much higher for pregnant women who have eclampsia or severe preeclampsia.

According to Preeclampsia Foundation, the global rate of mortality for this serious syndrome may be as high as 25 percent. Given that the condition can become deadly if not diagnosed and addressed right away, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms.

HELLP stands for:

How to Know the Early Signs of HELLP

Early symptoms of HELLP include chest pain, heartburn, right upper quadrant pain, fatigue, shoulder pain when breathing and high blood pressure. Women who present with symptoms of HELLP are far too often misdiagnosed with:

The only treatment for this syndrome is the safe delivery of the baby and supportive care when needed, including blood transfusions, magnesium-sulfate blood pressure medication or intravenous fluids.

Once a doctor identifies this problem, the appropriate course of action, where safe, is to help a mother deliver a baby. Women with HELLP may also require a transfusion or a prescription for corticosteroids to assist with the baby’s lung development. When the mother is diagnosed early, the symptoms can be addressed. There is no way to fully prevent this condition, however, so a mother should always be informed about how to watch for these issues and report concerns to the doctor immediately.

Injuries and Deaths Caused by HELLP

The development of this syndrome in and of itself may not be due to medical malpractice, but a failure to diagnose and treat this syndrome could lead to problems such as:

If a loved one developed HELLP syndrome during pregnancy and was not diagnosed or treated properly, this could change the life of your family forever.