Noor Alfallah had a terrifying ordeal during her pregnancy. She’s a producer who gave birth to her son, Roman, with Al Pacino in June. But before that joyous event, Vogue Arabia reports she was diagnosed with a rare and dangerous condition. It’s called HELLP syndrome.
HELLP is an acronym for Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzyme levels, and Low Platelet. It’s a condition that can affect pregnant people. According to Yale Medicine, it can cause complications like high blood pressure, liver dysfunction, and blood problems.
For Alfallah, her experience with HELLP was far from pleasant. She had to be hooked up to magnesium bags. Her platelet count was dangerously low. And, she couldn’t be alone with her newborn for a few days after his birth. The fear of having a seizure was too great.
Meanwhile, Alfallah was also adjusting to her new role as a mom. She was 30 years old and dealing with the media attention surrounding her relationship with Pacino. It was a lot to handle.
Looking back, she shared her thoughts with Vogue Arabia in an interview published on March 6. “I wish I could have enjoyed my pregnancy more,” she said. It’s a sentiment that’s both poignant and relatable.