Karima Edmonds

For most women, the last trimester of pregnancy is a time of great anticipation and joy. Some expectant mothers feel incredibly empowered, harboring the impending miracle of new life.

Unfortunately, these feelings never came to fruition for Karima Edmonds during her first pregnancy. In fact, quite the opposite scenario enveloped her.

About three months before her due date, Karima developed a high fever and nausea, which she initially attributed to the flu. But, when the symptoms persisted and worsened, she saw her doctor on the Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota, who diagnosed her with a rare liver syndrome.

Karima, who now lives on the East Coast, learned that HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets) syndrome is a rare disorder, but very mild cases sometimes develop during the latter stages of pregnancy. In most cases, the disorder clears after delivery and symptoms abate. The triggers or causes of HELLP are not well known. It is a random and mysterious liver disorder.

"My condition got worse and worse," recalls Karima. "Before I knew it, I was being airlifted to Mayo Clinic in Rochester in critical condition." That's about the last memory Karima had of her treatment or pregnancy.

Delivering a baby ... Receiving an organ

On May 9, after delivering her daughter by emergency cesarean section, doctors waited for Karima's liver condition to improve. Instead, she slipped into a hypatic coma and entered stage 4 liver failure.

"Stage 4 is the most severe stage of liver failure," says Gregory Gores, M.D. "Karima needed a liver transplant within a week." Dr. Gores, a Mayo Clinic hepatologist, says that although Mayo Clinic performs up to 100 liver transplants per year, this was the first one required for HELLP syndrome.

"Karima is fortunate a compatible liver became available in time to save her life," says Dr. Gores. "Today, only 40 to 50 percent of viable organs are donated and many patients don't receive acceptable organs in time."

A healthy future together

"My baby girl came into this world a little early, but she's doing wonderfully," says Karima. "And although I sometimes tire easily, it's difficult to determine if it's because of my new liver or my new baby."

Karima is expected to live a full, active and normal life. "I'm so grateful for my second chance at life," says Karima, "I'm thankful I woke up to see my daughter, enjoy good health and to be here as a mother."