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Real members of MyLupusTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Has anyone had HELLP syndrome when they were pregnant?

A MyLupusTeam Member asked a question 💭
Princeton, IN

I gave birth to my daughter 27 weeks gestation after a month on bed rest. My blood pressure was very high, my kidneys and liver failed and I had low blood platelets. These are the things that constitute HELLP syndrome. I read an article that can be the onset of Lupus Nephritis.

July 22
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MyLupusTeam

What a journey — delivering at 27 weeks after everything your body went through takes incredible strength. HELLP syndrome and lupus nephritis do share overlapping features, which can make them tricky to untangle. High blood pressure, kidney involvement, and low platelets are all things that can appear in both conditions Show Full Answer

What a journey — delivering at 27 weeks after everything your body went through takes incredible strength. HELLP syndrome and lupus nephritis do share overlapping features, which can make them tricky to untangle. High blood pressure, kidney involvement, and low platelets are all things that can appear in both conditions, and yes, a HELLP experience can sometimes be an early signal that lupus nephritis is present or developing.

Some MyLupusTeam members have shared similar stories of complicated pregnancies that later connected to their lupus diagnosis. Here's what's worth knowing about lupus and pregnancy complications:

- High blood pressure and kidney problems are recognized pregnancy risks for people with lupus
- Antiphospholipid antibodies (common in lupus) can increase the risk of blood clots, preeclampsia, and low platelets
- Active lupus disease during pregnancy raises the risk of complications significantly
- Lupus nephritis specifically involves kidney inflammation that can mirror some HELLP symptoms

The most important step right now is making sure your rheumatologist knows your full pregnancy history, including the HELLP diagnosis. They can run specific tests — like checking for antiphospholipid antibodies and kidney function markers — to assess whether lupus nephritis is a factor for you.

Don't hesitate to push for those answers. You deserve a clear picture of what's going on.

July 22

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