Terrible all day sickness, and only 4 weeks pregnant, any advice please...

[CarrieLouise25]

This is my first post here. I'm here really because no one else understands how awful I feel. I guess I'm after some sympathy, and any advice for ANYTHING that has worked for someone else.

My first pregnancy was a boy, and I was sick (physically vomiting) every morning on the way to work, at work etc. By the afternoon I felt better, but I was wiped out by the daily vomiting. This lasted around 5 months, then I got chronic migraines, then sciatica. Whole 9 months, I have to say, wasn't fun.

My second pregnancy was a girl, and I had the most EVIL sickness nausea I have ever had in my life. Constant feeling of throwing up. Constant retching, all day all night. It got so bad I just couldn't eat anything. At all. But I kept on doing school runs, as you do, throwing up a bit on the way back, and crawling into a dark room when I got back. I actually wanted an abortion I felt so bad. This would sounds terrible to anyone who can't have children! I felt so guilty. Wanting my baby, and yet not wanting to go through any more. Then is eased up again month 5. But then I got Pubis Symphysis Dysfunction. Pure agony. Cannot describe the pain; was hell.

Third pregnancy now (by the way, my age gaps are big, as the pregnancies are not exactly fun and have gotten worse). Only 4 weeks pregnant, and the sickness is already taking over. I work full time, and I just don't know how I'm going to cope again. I know it's only temporary, but it's a long 9 months.

It's our last baby :o)

No women I know have had the sickness this bad. I always feel dismissed by family members as if I'm making it up. My husband, whilst very supportive, just doesn't know what to do. I've tried ginger, eating crackers, sipping water any suggestion I can find on the internet.

I'm after anyone who has gone through it, and maybe has some advice? So worried if I'm barely coping now, how much worse this is going to get.

Sorry for the long post....

[PennilynLott]

Ginger and crackers are bullshit. Find the hyperemesis thread on here and go to the gp in the morning.

[mummyneedinganswers]

I have hyperemesis and its SHIT I've had it since 4 weeks too and still do at 17 weeks I also have GD and the migraines you speak of although always had them before pregnancy I do sympathize with you I'm one two different sickness tablets 1 twice daily and the other 3 times a day which they do help hut don't stop me throwing upjust curb the nausea a bit . I would suggest you to eat now just eat it helps even when u know it will come back up its better than acid I spent 6 weeks throwing up terrible acid along with every single thing I ate constantly threw up blood due to ripping my stomach with wretching and I would suggest you it make the being sick part easier. Stay positive op x

[DODSY1477]

I have 3 babies sick with all of them gradually getting worse with each pregnancy. I know how you feel it's awful as if people never had it when they were pregnant they don't understand. I always used to say if I wasn't pregnant I would have thought I was really unwell. Best advice I have is eat little and often and go to dr because you must not get dehydrated. I got anti sickness meds which took the edge off

[CarrieLouise25]

Thank you so much for your replies. It just helps knowing I'm not alone.

I will look out for the hyperemesis thread, thank you.

Couldn't manage dinner again this evening, but am trying to eat something as throwing up nothing is horrible, you're so right.

mummyneedinganswers hope you're sickness clears up soon x

[CarrieLouise25]

Thanks DODSY1477, yes I'll go and see the doctor as soon as I can. I guess that is the main thing that actually gets me down, is people not understanding. Yes, if I wasn't pregnant I'd think I had some sort of gastric flu or food poisoning!

[westcountrywoman]

As a former hyperemesis sufferer I'd say get yourself to GP for meds but keep expectations realistic. They may help, but probably won't cure it. Don't be afraid to ask to try other meds if the first one isn't improving things much.
What I did find helpful was eating often to keep blood sugar levels up. If you vomit up a meal, force yourself to eat again. sip flat coke (full sugar, not diet), suck boiled sweets or lollies. Sip tiny mouthfuls of water (or other fluids) constantly to keep hydrated. I found this more tolerable using a straw for some reason!

[CarrieLouise25]

Thanks westcountrywoman for the tips. I've been sipping water all day trying to make sure I don't dehydrate. I'll try flat coke, and get some boiled sweets and try to eat little and often. So hard isn't it x

[CarrieLouise25]

I left the thread earlier than I wanted and spent the evening throwing up :o(

Did anyone on here suffering have to go to hospital? I work full time at home, I'm self employed, and we won't be able to cope without my wage.

Did you manage to stay at home and keep hydrated between the sickness?

[PaperFlowers]

I've had pretty bad sickness but not HG bad, which sounds appaling and I really sympathise. I've had constant nausea but not much vommiting (couple times a day). Eating pretty much constantly defnitely improved things a lot - it was very difficult to make myself eat at first, but once I saw the benefit it was easier. With that first wretching fit of the day, I find it better just to let it happen and then have breakfast as it's not too bad for me - maybe 5 mins heaving and bile then feeling better for a bit. That way breakfast stays down and my bus journey to work is ok.

Also, it turned out plain water wasn't working for me - just some sugar free squash made that a heck of a lot easier. Also, if a get a big wave of nausea I think that's down to low blood sugar for me and a couple of fruit pastels can really help pretty much instantly.

For goodness sake see your GP though

[CarrieLouise25]

Thanks PaperFlowers. I've started sipping apple juice in a carton (straw seems to help for some reason) and hoping this will keep my sugar levels up. Will be sending hubby out for fruit pastels though, another lady mentioned boiled sweets, so anything is worth a try x

[insanityscatching]

I had horrendous sickness with four out of my five pregnancies. Officially diagnosed with hyperemesis with the last two probably because the GP was a different one and not dismissive rather than because it was worse than with my first two. I found strong flavours better than bland food to tolerate tbh and in my last pregnancy lived on pickled onion crisps because I could actually eat them even if I was sick later. I couldn't cope with cooking smells, the toilet flushing, running water they would all set me off being sick. Definitely go to the GP, medication eased things some days for me although it never stopped it entirely and I vomited right up until the placenta was delivered each time.

[CarrieLouise25]

Hi insanityscatching. Poor you . My GP was not very sympathetic at all with my last 2. I think that's why I'm reluctant to drag myself there again. They also don't want to see you until 8-10 weeks. The receptionist laughed when I said I was 4 weeks. She said it's too early and lots can happen early on so no need to see anyone until at least 8 weeks.

That's actually how I knew before my period I was pregnant, as cooking smells sent me over the edge. Running water is the same for me!

I feel so weak, but you have encouraged me as you've done this 4 times! Each day is a small victory x

[LilacWine7]

You probably have HG. I recommend going to your EPU, or asking midwife for referral to doctors at antenatal clinic asap... you need assessing and treating by a specialist who will check your hydration status and ketones. My GP was clueless and kept telling me it was 'normal' to be vomiting all day, but hospital doctors diagnosed HG straight away. Dehydration can be dangerous for you and the baby, and can creep up on you gradually. Headaches and dizziness are warning signs.
There are many anti-sickness medications considered safe in pregnancy. I'm currently on Cyclizine and Metoclopamide, but others have had more success with Ondansetron. There's no need to suffer alone with this, please don't let GP fob you off with advice about ginger biscuits and crackers! HG can be serious and you need proper medical help and advice.

The hyperemesis support thread has lots of good practical advice as well as emotional support for getting you through this.

[CarrieLouise25]

Hi LilacWine7. Thanks so much for sharing the names of the medications you're on and what's working for you, and your advice on how to get help. I think it's best to go via midwife and get a referral. None of the GP's at my surgery are that sympathetic, I've switched GP's at the same surgery, 3 times now. Took me ages to get diagnosed with my SPD before (the sickness was just ignored as part of pregnancy), but he definitely made out it was all in my head.

Crazy when you're at your most vulnerable and weak, you have to be strong and push to get what you need

[ohidoliketobe]

Ah goodness me you have my sympathies. My sickness in pregnancy is the only thing putting me off trying for Dc2! It was awful. Lasted from wk10 to the actual hour DS was born. I was dismissed by GP and midwife throughout even when keytones were flagged - "nausea is very common. Have you tried eating little and often? Ginger biscuits can ease the symptoms". I didn't have the energy to argue but I'll be dammed if I let them fob me off for another pregnancy.
Please go to your gp/ epu for a referral.

[CarrieLouise25]

Thanks ohidoliketobe x

I really struggled with trying for another. 8 year gap between son and daughter, and now this one will be 5 1/2 year gap.

Yes, so tired to argue. Sorry if I'm about to come across as thick, but I didn't know what EPU was until I just googled it, so thanks to you both for mentioning that. Never even heard of it before

Thanks everyone for advice and support. Ladies are so strong to go through this

[fredandme123]

I ate pancakes for breakfast every day for 5 months. Some days I threw them straight back up and started all over again but they were a good base of stodgy ness and helped me so much.

You are so brave to be going through pregnancy number three- I had a really rough time with my first and only that I can't even consider a second baby without having a breakdown at the thought of feeling that way for 9 months. Hats off to you lady!

[CarrieLouise25]

Thanks fredandme123, that means a lot x

Luckily you can't see me bawling my eyes out when I'm being sick and wishing I wasn't pregnant (not being at all brave), to now sitting here feeling OK trying to keep nausea under control (and feeling guilty for wishing the baby away).

So early days. The weeks were flying by so fast, and now they seem to have slowed right down...

Pancakes will be good to try, thanks x

[Casablanca78]

Second what others have said, get yourself to the GP ASAP. I suffered in silence being sick for 7 months in my first pregnancy before finally being put on medication. This time around I've stated on cyclizine and vitamin B6 at 6 weeks and hoping to try and manage it better from an early stage rather than get stuck in a dreadful pattern like last time. Hope you can get something working for you and start to feel better soon x

[Casablanca78]

Ps. So get what you mean about needing a big gap. My DD is almost 7, it's taken a lot for me to do this again too. In an ideal world I wanted two close together but just couldn't face doing it again! I have my dark moments too when I wish I hadn't.

[CarrieLouise25]

Hi Casablanca78, it's so nice to find someone who understands the big gaps! Most people find it really odd. Ideally it would have been lovely to have them closer.

So glad you've got help earlier this time, hope everything goes well for you

I didn't know about B6, thanks, I'll mention that to the docs x

[westcountrywoman]

How are you today? I know what you mean about fearing a hospital trip - I too was self-employed at the time and not being able to work was terrible. However, going to hospital and getting rehydrated on a drip when I needed did make me feel so much better, meaning I had some days when I was well enough to work.
I strongly advise seeing your GP ASAP and insisting on meds. My midwife was lovely but a bit 'fluffy' and really had no experience of proper HG, so just kept suggesting ginger nuts!
The only medication that helped me enough in the end was Ondansetron. They're very reluctant to prescribe it due to cost, and also because it's a relatively new drug with little data showing how safe it is in pregnancy. It was a miracle drug for me but not until I'd unsuccessfully tried about 6 others!

The sickness thing is a vicious circle. The more sick you are, the more dehydrated and starved you become which in itself makes you nauseous and so on. Keeping on top of it all is SO important.

Keep trying lots of different types of drinks. Preferably high sugar ones. Something else that helped me was desserts that had a high liquid content like jelly, custard and Angel Delight! I don't normally touch the stuff.

[CarrieLouise25]

Hi westcountrywoman, thank you so much for checking in x

I wasn't sick at all yesterday!! I had 'normal' nausea, headache, painful wind/heartburn, but no vomiting. Felt like doing a little victory dance

I've completely changed habits, more sleeping (going to bed with the kids now), plus afternoon sleep, got food and drink always by my bed, eating little and often all the time, many of the foods suggested in the above posts, and I'm on a higher dosage of B6, and a new prenatal vitamin which contains 10mg ginger (don't know if that's helping or not?!).

Drinking all day long, high sugar drinks. Hoping if I keep on top of things it will really help. Then again, I'm only 4weeks+4 days, and well aware this will probably get worse. But for now, I feel in control of the nausea at the moment. And that is enough to give me a mental boost.

I came across this picture my daughter did, and she explained it's me and her, with babies in our tummies, and we are sad. She says she won't have a baby in her tummy when she's older because she doesn't want to get sick