I have gone back and forth several times about writing this post. Mostly I debated because I do not want to seem ungrateful, unhappy, or dramatic. I have decided, however, that it is more important to get the word out about a disease called
Hyperemesis Gravidarum or HG. HG is what I have suffered with over the past 3 months and I know I am not the only woman out there with this problem,
in fact I can think of a handful of women in my own life that I would classify as having HG.
My sad little story (an overview):
-Two trips to the ER (shout out to my friend Liz who kept me company, thank you!) and one to the
instacare.
-Not keeping any food or fluids down for 24 hours on a regular basis (longer than 24 hours and
that's when I'd head to the ER).
-Infusion clinic appointments of saline, vitamins, and
Zofran.
-Natural remedies I've tried: Ginger (pills, tea, suckers, ginger-ale, fresh), red
raspberry leaf tea, peppermint tea, pregnancy tea, vitamin B12, B6, B complex, saltines, sipping sprite, cola syrup, "many small meals a day", protein drinks (homemade and store bought).
- Things I've thrown up? All of the above.
-Drugs I've tried: Regular
Zofran, dissolving
Zofran, IV
Zofran,
Phenergan,
Reglan, and one other I can't recall it's name.
- Things I've thrown up? All of the above.
- Lost a total of around 16 lbs (discovered that after a typical infusion I would gain 5 lbs!)
- Lost a lot of muscle and energy from not getting out of bed for days on end.
It basically feels like you have the stomach flu or food poisoning day in and day out for 12+ weeks.
In fact, I was just starting to feel slightly better when I caught a stomach bug and it was very much the same. Practically my whole family caught this bug and said they felt new
sympathy for me, they were all recovered however after 24 hours.
I feel like there is so much more to this condition than just the sickness itself. You worry everyday about the health and development of your growing baby. "Are they getting the nutrients they need to grow and develop properly? By not being able to keep down your prenatal vitamins, fluids, and basic food are you harming them? Are they hungry too? Is their little heart still pounding?" Then there is the heartache and stress of not being able to care for your own already born child. Basic needs like preparing food and changing a diaper are nearly impossible. Your husband has to work all day and then doesn't get to relax for a moment because there are just way to many needs to be met by your child, your incapable wife, and your own growling stomach from a hard days work, forget about getting any kind of affection from your wife because even getting too close to her will make her vomit.
I don't wish to be all doom and gloom but this is the reality of HG. It is a very hard thing to suffer through, so why try to sugar-coat it? There is a lot of depression and worry involved
on top of the misery and sickness that is HG. There aren't many, if any, things that ease the nausea and vomiting. I hope there will be more break-
throughs on anything that will help this condition. Is it worth it? Yes. Of course! But that doesn't make it any easier.
Lastly I want to thank all the people that have helped me through the
sludge- My dear sweet sister-in-law, Erika, who was at my house nearly everyday, from morning til evening. She made dinner for our family (which included a ravenous husband, a ravenous
Zinni, and a picky grandpa, herself, her own son, and husband). She took care of
Zinni. Changed her diapers, fed her, put her down for naps, read to her, and nurtured many of her "boo-boos."
Zinni was mostly entertained by being with her cousin and
bestest friend, Stephen IV (Erika's son). Erika got food and drink for me and kept me company to which I am very grateful for.
My Mom who "babysat"
Zinni and I for many days. She would come up to my house, pick up
Zinni and I and
whisk us down to my parent's house to give Erika and Jared a break, and to provide me with a change of scenery and Motherly love. I never felt like a burden there,
Zinni was always having fun, had a captive audience, and of course, got to see "kitty-kitty." Both of my parents and brothers helped us and never made me feel like I couldn't ask for whatever I needed.
Jared, oh my kind, patient, understanding Jared. He has been my rock. Has NEVER complained about serving me and picking up the slack. He and
Zinni have bonded and become so much closer than they have ever been before.
Zinni is completely content to go to either of us for comfort, and Erika is a close second. Jared has ran to the store at odd hours for odd things, taken me to the ER, Dr's
appts, infusions clinics, cleaned out my throw-up bowl on numerous occasions, and has done everything that could be done for a
sicky wife in need. Just yesterday he told me how happy he was that I was feeling better, I thought it was because I can actually get my own food now and change
Zin's diapers, but he told me that it was just so hard for him to hear me throw up, watch me lose weight, and there was nothing he could do about it. I love that man.
I'm sure I haven't conveyed all the aspects of this disease and the misery that is ever present with it but I'll quote another person when I say "you don't "get" HG unless you get HG." To put it frankly, it's Hell. If anyone reading this knows someone with HG, or you suspect they have it, help them. Call them. Drop by and say hello (be prepared to see a
disastrous house, an
unshowered woman, and probably a haggard husband). Bring the family dinner. Ask this sick pregnant women what you can do.
I am now 17 weeks and am finally only throwing up in the morning, eating a variety of foods (although still not that wide a variety) and can stand up straight! Although I do intend on having more children the idea is banned from my thoughts for now.
