Twin mum relives birth trauma after HELLP diagnosis

Rebecca had long given up the idea of becoming a mother, especially after turning 39 without meeting "the one." Time seemed to be slipping away, and the prospect of motherhood faded into the distance. During the Covid pandemic, Rebecca reconnected with her long-time friend, Matt. Their relationship blossomed into something more, and before long, they were expecting their first child together. The joy of becoming parents was heightened by the unexpected news from their seven-week scan: they were having twins.

For Rebecca, the news was nothing short of a miracle. Approaching her 40th birthday, she had never imagined that she would be holding two babies. Though initially overwhelmed by the thought of caring for two newborns at once, she was filled with joy. The couple was ready to embrace this new chapter, albeit with some concern about the challenges ahead.

Unforeseen challenges

While Rebecca’s pregnancy had gone smoothly for the most part, the situation took a turn when, at 34 weeks pregnant, she began experiencing severe pain in her shoulder. After several attempts to contact her midwife without success, she and Matt made their way to the maternity unit. There, they were reassured that the pain wasn’t related to the babies. However, the situation quickly escalated when Rebecca began vomiting, prompting further tests.

Soon after, doctors were alarmed by the irregular heartbeat of one of the twins. The decision was made to deliver the babies early. Twin boys, Alexander and Harrison, were born prematurely at 34 weeks, but both were healthy and transferred to the Special Care Baby Unit for further observation. In what should have been a moment of joy, Rebecca’s persistent shoulder pain continued, and her condition began to deteriorate rapidly.

A life-threatening diagnosis

Rebecca’s condition worsened in the days following the birth. Despite the apparent normalcy of the babies’ health, Rebecca collapsed twice, leaving her feeling disoriented and confused. Tests revealed that she was suffering from heavy bleeding in her liver, but doctors were unable to explain why this was happening. Three days after the birth, Rebecca finally got the chance to hold her babies for the first time, but she was still very unwell, unable to fully process what had happened.

It wasn’t until five days later that Rebecca was diagnosed with HELLP syndrome, a rare and serious pregnancy complication that affects the liver and blood clotting. Typically, HELLP is diagnosed after delivery, though in rare cases it can develop earlier. For Rebecca, the shock of this life-threatening condition was compounded by her hazy memory of the events surrounding her birth, leaving her with a fragmented understanding of what had happened.

Recovery and support

After spending two-and-a-half weeks in hospital, Rebecca was finally able to go home. However, she struggled with both physical and mental recovery. The pain from her liver condition lingered, and she couldn’t fully enjoy the early days with her newborns. Her mental health suffered, and the trauma of what she had endured weighed heavily on her. But the support she received from health visitors, midwives, and the hospital debrief helped her begin to make sense of the traumatic experience.

In addition, the antenatal course that Rebecca had completed with Twins Trust played a pivotal role in her recovery. Though she missed the final session due to the premature birth of her twins, the instructor’s follow-up call to check on her well-being provided much-needed comfort. Talking through the traumatic birth with others, including fellow parents, helped Rebecca process her feelings and gain perspective.

Reflecting on her journey, Rebecca remains grateful for the support she received. While the trauma of her experience still lingers, she takes solace in the fact that her boys, Alexander and Harrison, are healthy and thriving. Though she still thinks about the challenges she faced, she cannot help but feel overwhelmingly thankful for the family she now has.

Rebecca hopes to offer comfort and understanding to others who may face unexpected challenges during pregnancy. Her experience highlights the importance of support networks, both professional and personal, in navigating the complex and often unpredictable journey to motherhood.