Have you heard of HELLP Syndrome?
HELLP Syndrome is a life-threatening pregnancy complication usually considered to be a variant of preeclampsia. Both conditions usually occur during the later stages of pregnancy, or sometimes after childbirth.
Today’s guest was diagnosed HELLP syndrome at just 23 weeks pregnant. Trashaun Powell was immediately taken to the intensive care unit and was shocked to find out that their baby girl, Mia Jane, would have to be delivered to save her life. Mia was 1 lb and 1 oz at delivery and passed away the next day. Trashaun spent another 2 weeks in the hospital after losing Mia fighting for her own life. In this episode Traushaun takes us back to the moment of finding out she had HELLP syndrome and could die if she didn’t deliver immediately. She shares how this traumatic birth and loss has empowered her to advocate for preeclampsia and fighting racial disparities for BIPOC.
This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced Preclampsia or HELLP Syndrome and have lost a micropreemie in the NICU.
Trashaun Powell’s Bio
Trashaun Powell envisions compassionate communities with social equity and liberation for all human beings, where mothers and babies dying during childbirth is no longer a common occurrence. Trashaun Powell is currently a Program Manager with the State of New Jersey’s Division On Women primarily focuses on issues relating to women. Trashaun exudes her passion for advocacy while continuing to educate and empower women and girls in her community.
Tell me about your journey to motherhood? What obstacles have you overcome?
I was only 23-weeks pregnant in early 2013, when I was diagnosed with HELLP syndrome, a severe variant of preeclampsia that affects the liver and blood platelets. I was taken immediately to the intensive care unit. My husband and I were stunned to find out that our baby girl, Mia Jane, would have to be delivered immediately to save my life. Mia was 1 pound 1 ounce at delivery, and was whisked away to fight for her own life in the neonatal intensive care unit.
“The next day, the neonatal intensive care unit social worker came to visit me in the intensive care unit, and encouraged me to go down to see Mia once again because she wasn’t doing so well. “I got a chance to stick my hands inside and she grabbed my fingers.” Later that night, the nurse came to let us know that Mia took a turn and would not make it through the night.
Mia was just too small to survive her premature birth, tragically passing away hours after her birth. I remained in the intensive care unit for two more weeks, going through multiple surgeries and fighting for my own life.
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