A mother who suffered HELLP syndrome called me today, and I said I would ask you
all for HELP.  She developed HELLP at 25 weeks gestation after an uneventful
pregnancy, and her baby girl was born by emergency c/s at 26 weeks.  Both very
ill.  Mother recovered well, then at 2 weeks postpartum had clot on lung.  Is
now 6 weeks postpartum, and on Warfarin only.  She has been attempting to
express her milk since as soon as she was able, and has never managed more than
15 mls.  usually 5 mls.  She says her milk just 'trickles' out.  She gets no
more even if she expresses for an hour.

She is using a hospital grade electric pump.  She sees other mothers expressing
more than their babies can take and is feeling very low.  She wants to know
whether other mothers have this, and is there any hope that her supply will
increase.

I (of course) didn't say yes or no.  She knows she 'should' relax, but it's
difficult.  Do any of you know of anyone who has breastfed after HELLP?  It
sounds such a complex thing that it would not surprise me if it could affect
lactation.  She describes initial symptoms as feeling hot and tired, followed by
heartburn which turned out to be HELLP.  Could the concern over HELLP be masking
another problem?  I have the feeling this conception was assisted in some way -
am I right in thinking there has been speculation about a link between
difficulty concieving and lactating?

TIA for your input - this mother will be really grateful for any help, and any
information about other HELLP mothers would be particularly valued.

Mary Broadfoot

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