My Story of Hyperemesis: This is the end

Sunday, September 30, 2012

This is the end

Well it is sad to say but this will be the end of my hyperemesis blog. I have had 4 hyperemesis baby's. My first in 2004 (a little girl, 8lbs 15oz), my second in 2006 (a little girl 8lbs 11oz), my third in 2009 (a little girl 8lbs 14oz), and my last Sept 2012 (a little boy 9lbs 9oz). I have had 2 picc lines, 100's of IV's, and all 4 were zofran baby's. This journey in life was unexpected and sad. I think I would have at least one or two more if it was not for hyperemesis. But I am happy to say I fought and beat hyperemesis 4 times. I know if I can do it anyone can do it. It is worth the fight in the long run. I know 40 weeks sounds like forever, but it is not and the end result is the most wonderful gift ever.

Feel free to leave comments on my blog with your e-mail address and I will e-mail you back. I highly recommend reading the book, Beyond Morning Sickness, for more information. I hope the journey I went through might help someone else with hyperemesis and I hope and pray for a cure one day.

7 comments:

Angie said...: You'll be back. ;); October 13, 2012 at 1:22 PM
Andria Thatcher said...: I'm also LDS, and also on my fourth HG baby. I'm six weeks along and have already had to get IVs four times now. The docs won't put a picc line in because of the risk for infection. I'm going crazy but I know the Lord will take care of me. Thanks for this blog. I ran across it when I most needed to realize that I'm not alone.; October 23, 2012 at 2:13 AM
SARAH said...: Andria Thatcher.........prayers with you! You can do it, if I can I know you can! The Lord is with you! Feel free to e-mail me at sarah.stevens8@yahoo.com and I can help encourage you along the way!; October 23, 2012 at 11:13 AM
SARAH said...: Angie.........you let me know when you are doing it again and we will chat :); October 23, 2012 at 11:13 AM
katie.b.busy said...: So glad you did this blog and that I found it! I have just one little girl and I had severe hyperemesis during my pregnancy. I'm in Australia and I must say that the ER nurses and Drs here are generally not at all sympathetic to HG. Also I don't think they ever do PICC lines or home care as far as I can gather from my doctors and health insurance. Maybe with some large doses of Zofran I could make it through another pregnancy, but the thought of all that vomiting again.... pretty unappealing! katbollen@hotmail.com; November 4, 2012 at 8:26 AM
Anonymous said...: I AM NOT ALONE! Doing this second time and going crazy! I feel like nobody can understand what I am going through. I have 2 year old son that I can't look after. I am in bed all the time. Going to toilet is a disaster. My parents try to understand and help out with son but I am sure they mostly think I am taking a rest. I asked them just to help with vacuuming ( was so dirty, I never seen such a dirty house in my life!) husband is tired from working/looking after son and me doing nothing (sleeping/looking at laptop). He only one who gets how sick I am but he does get very angry at me/son with all the work he has to do at home/work , mother in law thinks I am keeping house dirty and that is what makes me sick. I can't clean! My house always clean when I am not sick. I want to cry, I hardly can take shower, how can I clean? I think hormones makes it worse, I feel like crying all the time, nobody understands that hyperemesis is 100 times worse than labour ( I did drug free labour with first one so I know what It is). My son suffers and doesn't understand why mum feeling so sick. feel so helpless and makes me even sadder that even close family think that I am taking a rest and excuse being pregnant. Please, give me hope that baby will be ok? My son suffers multiple food intolerances that first two years were hell, crying all the time and woke up every hour. My husband convinced that I happened because of me being sick. He doesn't want any more kids for that reason. Kids are my life! Being as sick as I am , I know it all worth it. It is very hard to be pregnant, every hour is very hard, day or night, but it all worth it! Feel helpless, misunderstood, alone. thanks for you blog, makes me feel so much better though. I wish people around could understand me.; July 27, 2014 at 6:07 AM
SARAH said...: Feel free to email me; July 28, 2014 at 4:21 PM

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!