Wednesday, February 1, 2012

I was quoted in this article, so cool!

See it here:

http://www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk/help/family-and-friends/

tips and advice for the family and friends of sufferers

Watching a loved one suffer with nausea and vomiting in pregnancy or hyperemesis gravidarum can be really tough and it can be harder still to know how best to help and support them. Here are some tips and advice from women who have been through it about what helped them:

Text her regularly to let her know you are thinking of her
Don't be upset if she doesn't return texts or phone calls straight away; it can be really hard to look at screens or talk on the phone when you are feeling/being sick!
Avoid being overly 'gushy' and excited about the baby and pregnancy; she may be feeling resentful about the baby and depressed about the pregnancy even if it was much wanted and planned. By being too excited you may make her feel even more isolated.
Try not to question her about the safety of medications she is on; if her doctor has prescribed them then it is because she needs them. If you have concerns then have a look at our treatment pages or research pages for further information about the medications.
If you are able then offer to look after any older children for a couple of hours as and when you can.
Remember that smells, bright lights, loud noises and other sensory stimulation can all bring on vomiting so try to reduce these factor for her (especially smells).
If you bring food for her family then make sure it is not strong smelling or contain garlic (cold food is best) and don't be upset if she doesn't want to eat any food you have brought.
Vomiting infront of others can be humiliating for some women so be sensitive to this.
Try to listen without giving advice, or telling her about other peoples glowing pregnancies or the women you know who was sick all the time but still went into work... remember that pregnancy sickness has a whole spectrum of severity from mild to life threatening!
Bare in mind that some of the medications can cause mild drowsiness and confusion; be aware that she may find conversation a struggle; it can be nice to listen though.
If she is struggling to use a computer but would like to access support via text through this website then offer to fill in the online form for her or contact her regional leader via the support network page.

It can be great to have visitors when she feels up to it but here are some do's and don'ts for visiting times:
DO:

Offer to pick up any shopping or prescriptions on your way round.
Bring some magazines and books (but bare in mind she may not be up to reading/watching) - Downloading some audio-books for her could be really wonderful!
If you go to the loo, give it a quick clean... there is nothing worse then vomiting into an unclean toilet!!!
If she is largely bed bound then offer to change/wash the bed sheets for her.
If you put any washing on for her don't use scented fabric softener.
If she is struggling with young children then offer to play with them while she has a lie down.
Make sure you wash any mugs or pots before you leave.

DON'T:

Wear perfume.
Eat garlic or curry the night before a visit.
Smoke before visiting.
Bring flowers as a gift; as well meaning as they are the smell and colours can trigger vomiting.
Expect her to make tea and coffee... make it yourself!
Bring noisy children with you.
Focus on the pregnancy or the illness; try to talk about 'normal' things.
Leave any mess for her to clear up!

If you visit a friend or relative who is suffering with pregnancy sickness or hyperemesis gravidarum and you are concerned that they are very dehydrated (dry lips and tongue, dry skin etc) or they seem confused or drowsy then call their doctor or take them to hospital.
Here are some quotes from sufferers of Hyperemesis Gravidarum about how their friends could have helped:
"If you are a smoker, it might be best to stay away - or change clothes before you go round. Don't tell the sufferer that people usually start to feel better after 12 weeks - it gives false hope. Do tell them that they won't feel like this forever and there will be an end to it - when I was depressed, suffering from HG and pregnant with my first child, I thought I would never feel normal again!! Do go to the doctors with them and push for treatment for them - they may be too weak, tired, ill to push for it themselves and when you are feeling low arguing is the last thing that you want but it might be exactly what is needed to get the help they need. Give her a cuddle and let her cry if thats what she wants to do and sometimes when you've got HG having a good cry is all you want to do." - Anne Burns, HG sufferer

"Never visit a person with hyperemesis and say you had morning sickness, you know what they are going through! It is NOT morning sickness!" - Sarah Vermillion Stevens, HG sufferer

"If she's laid up in bed make sure her surroundings are clean and there are sick bowls, tissues etc to hand. Physical contact (even close proximity) with older kids & partner may be difficult & sleeping arrangements may need to be altered for a while." - Asiyah Aziz, HG sufferer

"Under no circumstances mention the phrase "have you tried ginger?" or "I hear ginger helps" or "being sick is a good sign, means it's a healthy pregnancy". No help whatsoever to the HG sufferer!" - Pauline Turner, HG sufferer

No comments:

Causes

The cause of HG is unknown. The leading theories state that it is an adverse reaction to the hormonal changes of pregnancy. In particular, Hyperemesis may be due to raised levels of beta HCG as it is more common in multiple pregnancies (though I never had multiples). It is thought that estrogen produces nausea and regurgitation of stomach acids in some women. A recent study gives "preliminary evidence" that there may be a genetic component (the only other person in my family who has hyperemsis is my cousin). More on causes and theories go to: http://www.helpher.org/hyperemesis-gravidarum/theories-research/index.php

Symptoms

When HG is severe and/or inadequately treated, it may result in:

Loss of 5% or more of pre-pregnancy body weight
Dehydration, causing ketosis, and constipation
Nutritional deficiencies
Metabolic imbalances
Altered sense of taste
Sensitivity of the brain to motion
Food leaving the stomach more slowly
Rapidly changing hormone levels during pregnancy
Stomach contents moving back up from the stomach
Physical and emotional stress of pregnancy on the body
Subconjunctival hemorrhage (broken blood vessels in the eyes)
Difficulty with daily activities
Hallucinations

Some women with HG lose as much as 30% of their body weight. Many sufferers of HG are extremely sensitive to odors in their environment; certain smells may exacerbate symptoms.

As compared to morning sickness, HG tends to begin somewhat earlier in the pregnancy and last significantly longer (my last until 20 weeks or half way). While most women will experience near-complete relief of morning sickness symptoms near the beginning of their second trimester, some sufferers of HG will experience severe symptoms until they give birth to their baby, and sometimes even after giving birth.

Treatment

Because of the potential for severe dehydration and other complications, HG is in general treated as a medical emergency. Treatment of HG may include antiemetic medications and intravenous rehydration. If medication and IV hydration are insufficient, nutritional support may be required.

Management of HG can be complicated because not all women respond to treatment. In some instances, women with HG may be able to avoid hospitalization by eating a special diet of clear liquids and bland food rich in carbohydrates,and eating before rising in the morning; while these may be of some assistance, they are unlikely to resolve the disorder on their own. Hypnosis has relieved symptoms in some cases, though the majority of women do not respond to this measure.Wristbands used for motion sickness and seasickness have been shown by one study to be effective in treating some cases of HG, but not others; these are worn around the wrist at a traditional acupuncture point, 3 finger-widths from the joint, and are available at many pharmacies.There is evidence that ginger may be effective in treating pregnancy-related nausea; however, in general this is ineffective in cases of HG. Nothing but medication and hydration have ever helped me personally.

IV hydration - this is what i do

IV hydration often includes supplementation of electrolytes as persistent vomiting frequently leads to a deficiency. A and B vitamins are depleted within two weeks, so extended malnutrition indicates a need for evaluation and supplementation. In addition, mineral levels should be monitored and supplemented; of particular concern are sodium and potassium.

After IV rehydration is completed, patients in general progress to frequent small liquid or bland meals. After rehydration, treatment focuses on managing symptoms to allow normal intake of food. However, cycles of hydration and dehydration can occur, making continuing care necessary. Home care is available in the form of a PICC line for hydration and nutrition (called total parenteral nutrition). Home treatment is often less expensive than long-term and/or repeated hospital stays.

Medications

While no medication is considered completely risk-free for use during pregnancy, there are several that are commonly used to treat HG and are believed to be safe.

The standard treatment in most of the world is Bendectin (also sold under the trademark name Diclectin), a combination of doxylamine succinate and vitamin B6. However, due to a series of birth-defect lawsuits in the United States against its maker, Merrill Dow, Bendectin is not currently on the market in the U.S. (None of the lawsuits were successful, and numerous independent studies and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have concluded that Bendectin does not cause birth defects.) Its component ingredients are available over-the-counter (doxylamine succinate is the active ingredient in many sleep medications), and some doctors will recommend this treatment to their patients.

Antiemetic drugs, especially ondansetron (Zofran), are effective in many women. The major drawback of ondansetron has been its cost. In severe cases of HG, the Zofran pump may be more effective than tablets. Zofran is also available in ODT (oral disintegrating tablet), which can be easier for women who have trouble swallowing due to the nausea. Promethazine (Phenergan) has been shown to be safe, at least in rats and may be used during pregnancy with minimal/no side-effects. Metoclopramide is sometimes used in conjunction with antiemetic drugs; however, it has a somewhat higher incidence of side-effects. Other medications less commonly used to treat HG include Marinol, corticosteroids, and antihistamines.

Other medications that are frequently prescribed for HG are Compazine, Tigan, Phenergan, and Reglan. These can be given orally or intraveneously, or administered as a rectal suppository. They are considered safe for use during pregnancy.^[15]

Nutritional support

Women not responding to IV rehydration and medication may require nutritional support. Patients might receive parenteral nutrition (intravenous feeding via a PICC line) or enteral nutrition (via a nasogastric tube or a nasojejunum tube).

Beyond Morning Sickness

BEYOND MORNING SICKNESS......I have read the best book on Hyperemesis and wanted all of the people who read my blog to go out and get this book and read it. You can find the book on amazon.com or go to the author's web page at www.beyondmorningsickness.com it is a wonderful book on hyperemesis. The author has also written a children's book about hyperemesis titled, Mama Has Hyperemesis, and my children loved it! The web-site also offers a great support system and other woman who have gone through hyperemesis!

Spiritual Connection!

I Thank my Heavenly Father every day for the beautiful children and family I have. I know that it is through God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost that I made it through my 3 pregnancies. I know they have a plan for me, I know they love me and watch over me. Through Prayer, scripture study, and church they make it possible for me to survive hyperemesis. You need to be spiritual strong to survive hyperemesis, and the Lord will provide your way. I am happy to be a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints.

Hyperemesis does NOT equal abortion!

I have come across many web-sites for women with Hyperemesis that are pro-choice. Some even promote and support women who have hyperemesis to terminate the baby. This upsets me. There are positive treatment options for hyperemesis and women, children and families deserve better than abortion. I do not believe women, and families should choose abortion when there are other options to help with hyperemesis. I hope this blog helps women to choose to keep their baby because if I can do it, anyone can do it! Let us support one another!