What most folks don't know is Jenni and James survived a very dangerous syndrome called HELLP .

http://www.aafp.org/afp/990901ap/829.html

It's rare and difficult for some hospitals to diagnose . If it wasn't for Jenni's own actions she and James probably wouldn't be here today .

Shortly after Jenni overcame this an Officer in my department lost his young wife to this syndrome also .

http://forums.minnmoms.com/index.php?topic=1237.0

I know Jenni feels awareness of this syndrome is important too so I'm posting this .

I also want to commend Jenni for the strong person she is and that I'm glad she and James came through this well . As most know here she's pretty tough .

I am very late. Life has taken me from my beloved Leerburg forum for a while but I must say congrautaltions. And you do have an adorable munchkin.

All this talk about "hot moms" reminded me of this. Go forward to 54 seconds into the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8Ev5HgGACg

Hey Jenni

Congratulations on your new baby! Nice family, James, Caleb, and Capri.

Thanks, John!

The others (Widget, Matti, Qira, Simon, the cats, and the horses)are pissed. Are they not family, they demand???!

I haven't checked this thread in a few days...thanks, Jim, for posting that little blurb on HELLP. If more people knew what to watch for, and DEMANDED that their doctors check into it, I'm convinced that fewer women and babies would die. I was sent home to rest, basically told I was being a hypochondriac, just 12 hours before being told I wouldn't survive labor and had to have an emergency c-section. I had never heard of HELLP, and it was never even mentioned to me until after James was born.

Typically, platelets decrease by approx. 40k/day w/Class 1 HELLP, which is what I had. 150k or below is the definition of HELLP. If that number decreases by 40k a day, and my platelets were 30....you do the math. It had been going on a lot longer than 12 hours and the Drs. just missed it, or dismissed it because it's so rare. Well, it's not THAT rare if Jim knew 2 people at the same time who had it! Unfortunately, you have to be your own advocate.

Sorry to be a buzzkill after Rich's funny video. That WAS pretty funny.

Oh, and thank you, Maisha!

Thanks for sharing. I had heard about that officer since I live near the twin cities. Such a tragic ending, but I'm sure the family is grateful that the baby survived.

If you can help save lives, it is wonderful to share your experience with others!

Wow, Jenni. That is quite the scary ordeal. I am glad you and the baby are OK. He is beautiful. Thank you for sharing him with us!