Hyperemesis Gravidarum – Severe morning sickness

Welcome to my last A – Z Challenge post for the week. This week has been tough and I hope that next week will be easier.

 I remember feeling nauseas at this moment.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a severe form of morning sickness that Kate Middleton was diagnosed with. I, unfortunately, shared the same fate. It seemed like I felt nauseas from the moment my son grew in my womb until the moment he was born via C-section.

 

We didn’t know we were pregnant right away. I had ALL of the symptoms but after multiple blood tests and urine tests that showed negative results, we assumed that I was suffering from something worse. My father is a two time cancer survivor, one being colon cancer, which is often passed down. We assumed that I had colon cancer too and I went to hospital right away.

At the hospital they did further blood and urine pregnancy tests before deciding that I had to go for a scope to determine exactly what was wrong. Needless to say it wasn’t cancer, it was a baby!

The morning sickness was so bad that I couldn’t drive down the road to our local store without vomiting in the car. I stayed at home for most of the first trimester (we missed doctor’s appointments, because we didn’t know we were pregnant), because I could hardly move. Everything I ate I brought up in record time. This was starting to distress my step daughter who became very concerned for my health. After we found out that I was pregnant she said “Oh! So the baby is making you sick!”

Fifteen weeks into my pregnancy I was admitted to hospital and placed on a drip (IV) for dehydration and I finally started to feel human again. I slept most of the time and ate very little. Nothing that anyone recommended for morning sickness worked, but my gynaecologist put me on medication to help me cope. This impacted on my pregnancy, because I was always classified as underweight and my amniotic fluid was constantly low.

The IV and regular medication assisted a great deal. I also bought ginger sweets that helped with the nausea. I felt better towards the end even though I often vomited my meals and was able to complete the nursery and get things ready before the baby was born.

Signs and symptoms of HG include:

• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Food aversions
• Weight loss of 5% or more of pre pregnancy weight
• Decrease in urination
• Dehydration
• Headaches
• Confusion
• Fainting
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Extreme Fatigue
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid heart rate
• Loss of skin elasticity

 

This phase in my life was extremely difficult and the nausea and vomiting continued throughout my pregnancy. HG has a high chance of reoccurring and it is one of the factors that I have to consider before deciding to fall pregnant again.

I wish every woman going through HG and morning sickness well. It is worth it when you meet your beautiful baby!

 

Have you had HG or morning sickness? Were you one of the lucky women that didn’t have any nausea at all?

Let’s start a conversation!

 

Love and Blessings,