My Story of Hyperemesis: August 2012

Thursday, August 30, 2012

38 weeks!

Well Wednesday morning I woke up at 2am with really bad cramps, they were horrible! They started in my back and wrapped around my belly. I could not lay down, I was up the rest of the day and never went back to sleep. I lost my mucus plug in the morning and felt "wet" all day! So I finally called the doctor and went in at 4pm to the office to see what was going on. I was still only 1 centimeter but my cervix had thin out, that's good but still means it could be a few more weeks or today! Come on out baby (it will be a few more weeks, I am sure)! Luckily last night I felt better and slept all night!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Still 38 weeks!

I forgot to mention I was Strep B Negative! I was Strep B positive with the last one! I am so excited because it means no antibiotics!

Congrats to my cousin who had her baby last night, she has 3 boys and now a little girl! I am so jealous, how did you get that baby to come out (we were due together)?

The doctor said they will not induce me until the 19th! It went from having a c-section in 7 days to not having a baby for all most a month! Not fair!

Monday, August 27, 2012

38 week doctor

No news to report............this baby is never going to come! I am still only 1 centimeter and he is still head down but does not look like he is ready any time soon. It will be October! HA HA HA!

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Almost 38 weeks!

I have contractions all the time and they HURT! I am so sick of them and TIRED of being pregnant, peeing all the time, being moody, and the contractions! Come soon baby!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

37 Weeks!

Doctors appointment today:

The doctor I saw I have never seen before but he prescribed all my picc line and home healthcare. He managed all my hyperemesis issues though I have never met him. My home healthcare nurse use to work with him and would tell me how good looking he was! WELL SHE WAS RIGHT! Nothing better then a HOT doctor!

GREAT NEWS: BABY IS HEAD DOWN!

C-Section was cancelled, I could not believe it when they did another ultrasound today (how many is that now 10?). Sunday night I thought I was having contractions really bad I described it to my hubby as really bad cramps, at one point we thought we should go to the hospital but I decided to wait it out. I think that was the baby turning.

Everything else looked great blood pressure 110/70.....gained 2 pounds (I had just eaten though).

So now what will this baby be 2 weeks late like that last 3? Excited I do not have to have a c-section, not excited about not knowing when the baby will come!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Almost 37 weeks!

Well I am DONE! With my 3 girls I never had back pain, had problems sleeping, or had to pee all the time! This baby is a whole different story! I pee like every 30 minutes all day and night, I minds well live in the bathroom! I can not sleep to save my life, this baby is so much more active then the girls ever were. And now I have really bad lower back pain that shoots down my legs and it hurts to walk. Can I really go another 2 weeks? Not to mention the 2-4 hours of nauseousness I still have to deal with everyday!

Monday, August 13, 2012

36 weeks!

Well today was my 36 week check up and this is what we found out:

I lost a pound.........weird since I have been eating like crazy.
My blood pressure was low - 100/70
They did my strep-B test (I was negative for the first 2 but positive for the last one)
The doctor did an internal exam and I am 1 centimeter dilated, but thick and long
The doctor was 100% positive the baby was NOT breach! She showed me where the butt was and his leg and arms. She said he was head down.
I disagreed with the doctor and told her he was BUTT down and I wanted an ultrasound.
I went over to ultrasound and sure enough he is BUTT down, breach as can be! I was RIGHT!
I went to scheduling and scheduled the c-section.
It shows you to follow your gut feeling, another good example is everyone says to try and move the baby around but I feel like there is a reason he is breach and I want to leave him alone. Though I do NOT want a c-section I feel this is the safest way to get him out.

I am still sick everyday from 11am - 12 and feel like death for an hour, I hate it! I HATE hyperemesis!
I was having braxton and hicks contractions last night for 2 hours, and it HURT!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

34 weeks!

Had my check up:

Blood Pressure 117/60.........amazing how great it has been!
Gained a ton of weight! 5 pounds in 2 weeks! BOO! A total of 20 pounds so far this pregnancy!
Baby heart Rate 120's
Baby is BREACH!
I go in 10 days and they will do an internal exam and see if indeed he is still BUTT down! I think he will be!

The doctor office I go to has like 10 doctors so I don't always see the same one. The one I saw today was one that I saw when I was the sickest I have ever been at the beginning with the hyperemesis (I have not seen her since)! She walked in the room today and said, "I am so glad you are still alive! You are the sickest patient I have ever seen! I had no idea what to do to help you (She is the one who went and got another doctor)." She said she thought the hospital for 20 weeks was the best place for me! She was so cute and funny, I think I gave her a good scare! She genuine felt so bad for me! She was happy to see at 34 weeks I was not still GREEN!

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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!