My Story of Hyperemesis: July 2012

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Baby Shower

Like the sports theme? My hubby is a huge sports NUT! This cake was awesome! A lady my mom works with made it!

This was awesome, baby in a cradle made by Kathye Schaffer! My hubby is loving all the left over fruit! I think my 2 youngest daughters ate all the strawberries at the shower!

Before the shower! My 3 girls!

Who could make the best baby out of play-dough by Lisa Kay!

My big belly and my oldest daughter not so happy! Notice the blue neck-less on my youngest daughter that I made for all the girls that say, Its a boy!

Treat bags for everyone by Lisa Kay that say, SARAH IS GOING TO POP!

My mom and 3 of her friends through me a baby shower on Saturday (Lisa, Karen, and Kathye). It was so great and wonderful. We had 40 people! WOW! You should have seen how long it took to open gifts (not really my 3 girls went to town opening gifts.....ha ha ha)! Baby Evan has a ton of cool boy clothes and will not have to worry about wearing pink!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Happy BIG 33 weeks!

I have gained 14 pounds and look like I have gained 100! I am so BIG! This shirt fit me the day I delivered Lizzie my 8 year old! I can not believe how differently I am carrying this boy!

I still have no stretch marks but worry about them and worried about having extra skin after the baby is born! Why is pregnancy so hard on a woman's body?

My husband and I went and saw the movie, "What to expect when your expecting", it was not all that great but the funniest part was the debate Cameron Diaz and her boyfriend were having on circumcision! It was great! She asked him if she got the video she sent him and his response hilarious! He is for circumcision and she is against it, it is great! Then she says she is going to name the baby Jackson (the name I love), and he says no way! Then they end up having the baby and it is a girl! I have dreams all the time the baby is a girl! CRAZY!

Friday, July 20, 2012

Kids Birthing Class!

Took the kids to a hospital tour and birthing class, they had a great time and now are prepared for their new baby brother to come!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

32 Weeks!

Today was the 32 week check up and it could not have gone better! Here are the stats:

Blood Pressure 120/65........Perfect!
I gained 2 pounds in 3 weeks.......happy mommy (though I am suppose to gain a pound a week)
I have gained 14 pounds this pregnancy (ya, hopefully I will not hit that 30 pounds you gain when you are prego)
Not dehydrated (no keytones or sugar in the urine)
Baby is measuring 2 weeks ahead...............YA! Come out early (fat chance of that happening) (mine are all 2 weeks late)
BABY IS NOT BREACH ANYMORE!

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

32 weeks tomorrow!

I had someone tell me today I look so tiny for being 32 weeks pregnant! It made me feel good but I thought maybe she was blind since I am so BIG!

I am so tired, lately too! Baby is still very active and tomorrow is my 32 weeks appointment!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

The girls shirts!

Well the girls really wanted shirts for the hospital tour next week, the baby shower, and when the baby is born (I did not want to spend a ton of money buying them). The first shirt was my first attempt to do an iron on that said, "I'm the BIG sister"......but it did not work! I was so bummed! I have no clue what I did wrong! So it became my practice shirt!

Then I free hand......yes that is free hand......the letters. I used fabric I had around the house and used bonding to put it on the shirt! It turned out so cute, the girls loved it and had fun helping me do it!

31 weeks!

That technically means 8 weeks left (since the baby WILL be a week early)! HA HA HA! The heat has gone down this week so I am happy to report I am not as HOT! I go to the doctors in one week for my 32 week check up and we have our hospital tour!

Worst part of this week: My hips are killing me! I have NEVER had hip pain before! I can not walk far with out wanting to cry. I lay in bed a lot and when people call and my daughter answers the phone and people ask for me she tells them I am in bed, people must think I am LAZY! The baby is still breach!

Best part of the week: I went and had a pregnancy massage done, and it felt so good except I did a deep tissue massage and my poor shoulders hurt for 2 days after. But it was nice and relaxing. I realized how blessed I was to be sick while the kids were in school in Jan-June because I am loving be able to stay busy with the girls this summer and not have to sit home with a picc line! A picc line and swimming would not go hand in hand!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

I can NOT do this for 10 more weeks!

Happy 30 weeks, and I am DONE! I can NOT stand it anymore! I hate being pregnant! I have 4 huge issues:

1. - I am so big and uncomfortable I can NOT sleep! No matter how many pillows I do or do not use, or body pillows, and which side I lay on it is so uncomfortable! Last night I laid in bed, on the coach, in my chair, on the floor! No relief anywhere! I just want to sleep! If I can not sleep I want to be up holding my new born baby boy!

2. I am so HOT! HOT is an understatement! I am NOT a hot person, I never sweat and I am so sweaty all the time! Like ring out clothes sweaty! Nothing cools me down! I have 3 fans on me, the air on 72, and sitting over the vent for the air conditioner and I am still HOT! This has never happened to me before! I am so HOT it is painful!

3. Sugar Spells! I am getting huge, and I hate it! Just not my belly but everywhere. I want to eat less and healthier but my body freaks out on me when I am not eating 6 full course meals a day! I had a bad spell today because I only ate a bowl of cheerios and pb sandwich before 11am. I see stars, get dizzy, and throw up, then I am too sick to eat! It is such a horrible cycle! I am so tire of eating! Tired of getting FAT! Tired of the spells!

4. Due to the baby being breach his head is in my rib cage and lungs and half the time I feel like I can not breathe!

I can NOT last 10 more weeks! I am so cranky!

Monday, July 2, 2012

30 weeks in 2 days!

Oh how I hope I only have 8 weeks left! So this weekend marks the first time of not being able to get comfortable while I sleep at night, even with a body pillow and extra pillows I am so uncomfortable!

Yesterday I had a hormone rush and just about anything could burst me into tears! As I did at dinner! So, unlike me! I hate it! Much better today!

Then late last night I started having really bad chest pains I am not sure what it was, I have never had heartburn before so I am not sure if that is what it was but it did not feel like it. My chest felt like an elephant was sitting on it and it was hard to catch my breathe. I tried a shower with no relief. I was in tears it hurt so bad. I think the baby's head is pushing into my rib cage and lungs and it was making it hard to breathe. I was much better today though!

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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!