The Psychological Experience of Women who Survived HELLP Syndrome in Cape Town; South Africa

ABSTRACT

Background: Haemolysis; elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count (HELLP syndrome) is a high-risk pregnancy condition that could be fatal to mother and/or baby. It is characterised; as the acronym indicates; by haemolysis; elevated liver enzymes and low blood platelets.Objective: This study explored women in Cape Town's psychological experience of HELLP syndrome. Method: Six participants who previously experienced HELLP syndrome were interviewed. Using a grounded theory approach; themes emerged and a model illlustrating the psychological experience of HELLP syndrome was constructed. Results: The major themes that emerged were the perceived lack of information; a need to assign blame and a shift in focus. Themes of not knowing and trance and/or surreal experience underpin the cognitive aspects of the HELLP syndrome experience. Themes that expressed feelings of an inability to control; whirlwind and/or rapid pace and support acted together to bind the experience. Finally; emotions such as anger; ambivalence; disbelief; anxiety; guilt; loneliness and fear were present throughout the experience. Conclusion: This study developed an initial exploratory model representing the psychological experience of HELLP syndrome in a sample of South African women. Underlying this entire experience was a perceived lack of information which had a profound effect on numerous aspects of the experience ranging from where to locate blame to the varied emotions experienced