Complications:
On August 30th 2009 Bri delivered Leland by emergency cesarean section at St. Johns Hospital. At the time of delivery it was discovered that Leland had a portion of his bladder outside of his body. This condition is known as bladder exstrophy. Leland was quickly transferred to Children’s Hospital in St. Paul. September 1, he had his first surgery to re-route the urethra, and to close the pelvic bones. The following week, his surgical site opened up, and a second surgery was performed. Leland was discharged home on September 22, and will have at least one more surgery next year. Bladder Exstrophy happens in 1out of 30,000 live births. There is no exact cause or reason for this to occur.
The day after Bri delivered Leland, her liver and kidneys began to fail. As Bri’s liver enzymes began to rise, a diagnosis of Hellp syndrome was given. This stands for Hemolysis (breaking down of red blood cells) EL for elevated liver enzymes, and LP for low platelet count. To compound this syndrome, Bri also developed cerebral edema or swelling of the brain. From St. Johns hospital she was brought to St. Joseph’s hospital in St. Paul. Four hours later she was flown to the Mayo clinic and placed on the liver donor transplant list. A donor liver was received a short time later. The liver transplant was successful; unfortunately the swelling in her brain had reached a critical level. By September 12, Bri’s brain had partially herniated. On September 13, Bri went home to the Lord.
More Information about HELLPS:
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/UVAHealth/peds_hrpregnant/hellp.cfm/