Effects of Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)

Warning: Post contains things that may be triggers including pictures* 

I know I touched on this on a previous post, but I wanted to make another post that is a little more in depth about the effects of HG on our everyday lives. 

You really don't know all the things that it effects until its something you go through yourself or experience with a loved one, unfortunately. 

You lose contact with everyone dear to you because you don't have the energy to even pick up your phone to make a quick call or send a text message. Your babies, if it's not your first pregnancy, feel neglected because you can't spend time with them like usual. You can get out of bed, you're constantly throwing up, just their scent will set you off. And it's nothing they're doing wrong! Yet they are too little to understand why mommy can't give them hugs and kisses. 

Most of your friends and family don't truly understand the situation. No one could fully understand until they've been through it or experienced it first hand. Only a select few of us are lucky enough to have a partner/friend/family member who understand enough to not be upset by the effects if has on them too. I am lucky enough to have not only an amazing fiancé, but also parents who understand how tough it is. Mainly because they've seen me throwing up multiple times a day. They see the weight loss and have been there for all the ER visits and hospital stays. 

The foods you liked before? Just throw those out the window right now. Not only do you now hate almost everything you loved before, but even simple things like water and crackers will make you hurl. There are only a select few things you can eat and it is absolutely horrible having to deal with getting sick every time you eat until you find those few, precious "safe" foods. My safe food is French fries. It doesn't matter where from, I can put down some fries. Things like pizza, chips or pasts, on the other hand, will make me throw up just at the thought of them. 

And you can forget about your favorite lotions, body sprays, body washes, candles or perfumes. I was a Bath & Body Works fanatic pre-pregnancy! I would go during every sale they had and then just at random times and stock up on products and candles. Now, the only scent I can't even think about bearing is Lavender. I think its because its such a quiet, light smell. I can't even stand the smell of my fiance's cologne and I used to love it. 

If I happen to have a good day and go out with friends or family, I literally have to breathe through my mouth the entire time just to be able to sit there and not throw up. It's too much trouble and a little annoying to other people when you ask that they not wear lotions or cologne/perfume. And most people don't even think to ask. 

Restaurants are pretty much off limits. They cook all different kinds of foods and just driving with the window down and too much sometime.  

* * TRIGGER WARNING FOR THE FOLLOWING PICTURES * *

Here are a just few pictures I have that showcase the effects of HG.

(all pictures are shared from mamas who have HG that have given me permission to share)

A lot of women have to get a PICC line for fluids and medication. When you have to have fluids as much as most mamas with HG, sometimes the PICC line is the best option. You get so dehydrated that your veins flatten or are too small to have an IV in. And then if the nurse happens to be able to an IV in, it will blow within hours. Every IV I've had has taken 6+ sticks and then blows within hours. 

This just goes to show how many different medications this mama has to be on just to function....including all her IV lines and fluids bags. 

Just look at all of those syringes and bags! 

It honestly breaks my heart to see women having to suffer during a time that should be filled with joy, happiness and excitement. Instead, the reality is medications, weight loss, IV bruises, NG tubes and just utter exhaustion. 

I hope this has helped to shine even the slightest light on the things HG mamas have to go through not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally. It's a very hard time so if you know a sweet mama suffering with HG, be considerate of her condition and try to understand that it's not you that she's avoiding...she's just trying to make it through her days. 

Understand Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)

Being pregnant was the last thing I was prepared for, much less being pregnant with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG).

When I found out I was pregnant, it was completely by accident. I wasn't feeling nauseous nor had I missed a period, it was just "oh a whim" that I took a test. Then at 6 weeks, after 3 ER visits and 2 hospital stays, I was diagnosed with HG.

What is Hyperemesis Gravidarum and what causes it? 

It is severe nausea, vomiting and sickness throughout the entire pregnancy (not just in the first trimester like morning sickness) that can be life threatening if not properly treated. It causes dehydration, anxiety, weight loss and more. With HG, it is normal for a woman to throw up 5-100 times a day and only effects roughly 3% of pregnant women. Women with HG in their first pregnancies have a higher chances of having it in future pregnancies. It's said to be caused by excess hcG hormones produced during pregnancy.

What effect does it have on your life?

It effects your life in every way possible. Countless women have lost their jobs because of being too sick to go to work and have lost friends. When I say "too sick", I don't just mean not feeling well. I mean vomiting relentlessly dozens of times a day, passing out from dehydration, having to lay in bed for days on end to keep from standing up and making yourself even more sick than you already are. Having to pretty much live in the bathtub because you cant bear to stand up long enough to take a normal shower. Things like wearing a respirator (true story someone told me about something they had to do) to even open the fridge to cook dinner are now a normal everyday occurrence.

Your work life becomes little to non-existent. Had it not been for my FMLA, I would've lost my job weeks ago. Bills are a struggle because your check is little to nothing. Your coworkers don't understand and they all gossip about how much of a baby you are because you cant handle what they so lovingly call "a little morning sickness". They think you don't know what they says, but you do. You hear all the whispers and see how different you're treated. And yet there's nothing you can do about it. 

What Can You Do, Medically?

From my 6th week of pregnancy to my current 22w+2days, I have had 4 ER visits, 2 hospital stays and multiple trips for IV fluids. I also have an amazing doctor who has been there for me through every step so far.

 I was diagnosed with HG during my 7th week of pregnancy, after my 2nd ER visit that resulted in an admission. My doctor and I spent weeks testing out different medications and treatments, all in the hopes I could function normally. After my 4th ER visit and 2nd hospital stay, we finally found a cocktail of medications that would work, along with a Zofran pump I was put on. (I will make another post about the Zofran pump so stayed tuned for that).

 Turns out that my magic cocktail is Meclizine, Phenergan, Diclegis (I take unisome and B6 to make the diclegis because the actual medication was not covered by my insurance) and my Zofran pump. I take my medications every 6 hours on the dot and wear my pump around the clock along with daily IV fluids. After 3 weeks I was able to stop getting the fluids and just take my medication and use the pump, although I do still go in for fluids every other week or so. 

Most women do have multiple ER visits and hospital stays before being diagnosed with HG. It id VERY important that you have a doctor that knows about the condition and how to help you. If not properly treated, it can be life threatening for both you and baby. 

You become dehydrated very easily from all the throwing up and inability to keep an liquids down. 

Always talk to your doctor about your options and make sure they are working to find a way to help. That is, after all, their job.

For about 4 weeks I was medicated "fluffy" to where I only throw up 2-3 times a day, but was still always nauseated. About 2 weeks ago however, the HG decided to rear its ugly head again and I've been back to the sickness I was in the beginning and my doctor and I are back to finding the best treatment and medicines for me and baby. 

At least once a week I throw myself what I call my little pity party. What's that you may ask? Well, it usually happens after a shower or when I'm getting ready for bed and I'm just emotionally, physically and mentally spend. I will catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and my heart will completely break. I don't see the beautiful pregnancy glow that I hear about from literally every one of mine friends who have had babies. I don't see the beautiful baby bump or the luscious hair. No. Instead, I see bruises all over my stomach and thighs from the Zofran pump sites. I see my peeling skin on those site from the tape irritating my skin. I see bags under my eyes from lack of sleep and long tiring days, messy hair from days on end in bed just tossing and turning, bruises on my arms from IVs and on top of all of that, acne like a pre-pubescent teen! The scale shows my weight loss instead of gain. I see myself in the way I feel, the worst possible. I wonder how my fiancé would possibly still be attracted to me when I look like THIS? I quietly cry myself to sleep a lot of nights just from the exhaustion of it all. Don't get me wrong, my fiancé is my ROCK and I don't know how I would do this without his support. However, despite his support and comfort, some days I just get overwhelmed with the burden of it all. My body is wrecking havoc on itself and all I can do it bear through it until that long-awaited days that baby arrives. aby?!  I know in my heart it will all be worth it though. 

If you have HG and are reading this...know my heart goes out to you. I commend you for your sacrifice.No matter how hard these days are, it will be over one day and we will be happy we went through it when we hold that precious bundle of joy.

 I hope in reading this you will find comfort in knowing that you are not alone and there are people who understand what you are going through. We are in this together. It may not feel like it right now, but it WILL be worth it, mama I just know it.