How was your birth with HG?

Friedseasalt · 2025-03-25T10:31:01+00:00

I still have a fair bit to go until I will be having baby but I have been thinking of my birth options the past few days. I do have a midwife appointment soon so I will also discuss with her, I would just like to hear some real experiences. How was your birth with HG? I was induced with my son years ago and delivered vaginally. I just cannot bare the thought of another induction or even pushing right now as I feel so weak. I'm currently on 2 different types of medication for my hyperemesis as well as receiving injections twice a week for this too. I have been thinking of elective c section as my body just feels so weak but I also realise that this is major surgery and the recovery scares me. Grateful for any experiences/thoughts as I'm feeling pretty crap about everything tbh.

Ziga · 25/03/2025 10:34

In the exact same position as you so following with interest!

remaininghopeful23 · 25/03/2025 12:02

How many weeks are you OP? You say you have a bit to go, so I really hope things will look a bit better for you by the time birth comes around❤️ HG is so debilitating. How unfair that a condition like this can make you question your mode of delivery. I was lucky my sickness improved drastically by 20 weeks but it was extreme before that.
Personally, I found a c section made me quite sick due to the pain meds. You generally need stronger medications to manage the pain the first few days compared to pain meds after a vaginal delivery. Not everyone will have this reaction but many do. Also vomiting with the abdominal wound was hellish in my experience.
The good thing about being in hospital is that you can have your medications IV while in labour and I tend to find them a lot more effective IV than oral.

BastilleBastille · 25/03/2025 12:14

Hi, I had a little boy 4 years ago with a hard HG pregnancy. Currently 29 weeks pregnant with my second also HG.

Everyone’s experience is totally different but I can tell you about mine.

I too was absolutely drained at the thought of labour and having to push as I was so weak and in bed all the time. At 40 weeks they told me I had to be induced. I asked no questions, I didn’t even really know I had the right to request a section so I went along with it.

My LB was born during Covid so I was admitted to the induction ward alone and they put a pessary in to see if it would bring on labour. It didn’t work. So I sat for 3 days and nights while they promised me I would get a bed soon in L&D to have a drip and my waters broken.

I didn’t sleep those 3 days and nights at all. I sat terrified, sick and I cried constantly. Eventually 3am on the 3rd night they got me a bed and my husband was allowed to join me. What followed was 24 hours of excruciating labour on a drip. They gave me remifentanyl for the pain and it only made me more sick. I vomited constantly, so much so they had to cut my nightdress off me. I honestly thought I was never going to get the baby out. I pushed for 3 hours. i have absolutely no idea where I found the strength from but I did. I pushed out an 8lb 4oz baby. I’m honestly amazed and proud of myself that I did with so little sleep and HG.

basically what I’m trying to say is you will find the strength! Somehow!

This time I have a game plan. I want to go into labour naturally or if that’s not possible I want a section.

Only you will know what’s right for you and don’t be afraid to ask for what you want!

TheLurpackYears · 25/03/2025 12:16

trigger warning, mention of rich foods

It was pretty grim, but not feeling sick as soon as the pacenta had detached was absolutely epic. And my then sil bought me brie, pate and baguette to my bed side.

Original poster

Friedseasalt · 25/03/2025 21:17

Thank you all it’s good to hear real experiences. There is just so much to think about, which is tough when you feel so unwell. I’m probably just overthinking everything! ❤

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OnlyYellowRoses · 26/03/2025 12:49

I’ve had HG with 3 out of my 5 pregnancies (currently 18w with the 5th) but despite having hellish pregnancies with lots of hospital admissions, both my previous two HG pregnancies ended with fast and easy home births. Which took the sting out of the crap pregnancy to be honest.
My son was born in 14 minutes in our bathroom, but scary as no medical professional present, my daughter though was a nice calm 5 hour labour in my living room.

ButterflySkies · 26/03/2025 13:03

I know how you feel and I pushed and pushed and pushed from 30 weeks for an elective and the most I got was agreement to start sweeps from 37 weeks and an induction booked bang on 38 weeks - i was desperately ill and the consultant didnt want me going much further than 38 weeks as baby had got v unhappy too.
My waters went at 36 weeks spontaneously and weirdly the two days before that my symptoms suddenly stopped, i could eat, sleep, etc. My body just took over in labour, I did nothing, and I felt absolutely fine during and after. I asked for an anti sickness injection when contractions started as i was scared of throwing up the whole time, the midwife was more than happy to give me that. Labour was quick - 2 hours from first contraction to birth - which the midwife said was quite common in HG pregnancies.
My first, non HG pregnancy, birth was longer and harder.
My care was lacking in pregnancy but the midwives in delivery suite were angels and did everything to make it positive, i had time as my waters went 10 hours before contractions but they took a full history of the pregnancy and made it their mission to give me the birth i wanted, and promised to listen if i said it was too much (more than pain).
sending a huge huge hand hold and hope it settles down for you and baby before the end xxx

gg9320 · 26/03/2025 20:33

I had an elective c section though went into labour before the date - my sickness had improved by the end of pregnancy but was sick after delivery due to the anaesthetic (but ondansetron sorted it out swiftly). I found c section recovery much better than anticipated but appreciate a straight forward vaginal delivery would have been easier! I just had no faith in my body to do the right thing by the end hence choosing a c section and it was 100% the right decision for me.

Original poster

Friedseasalt · 26/03/2025 22:47

@gg9320 did you get any push back from midwife/consultant?

OP posts:

Original poster

Friedseasalt · 26/03/2025 22:48

ButterflySkies · 26/03/2025 13:03

I know how you feel and I pushed and pushed and pushed from 30 weeks for an elective and the most I got was agreement to start sweeps from 37 weeks and an induction booked bang on 38 weeks - i was desperately ill and the consultant didnt want me going much further than 38 weeks as baby had got v unhappy too.
My waters went at 36 weeks spontaneously and weirdly the two days before that my symptoms suddenly stopped, i could eat, sleep, etc. My body just took over in labour, I did nothing, and I felt absolutely fine during and after. I asked for an anti sickness injection when contractions started as i was scared of throwing up the whole time, the midwife was more than happy to give me that. Labour was quick - 2 hours from first contraction to birth - which the midwife said was quite common in HG pregnancies.
My first, non HG pregnancy, birth was longer and harder.
My care was lacking in pregnancy but the midwives in delivery suite were angels and did everything to make it positive, i had time as my waters went 10 hours before contractions but they took a full history of the pregnancy and made it their mission to give me the birth i wanted, and promised to listen if i said it was too much (more than pain).
sending a huge huge hand hold and hope it settles down for you and baby before the end xxx

Edited

Thank you so so much x

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SnakebitesandSambucas · 28/03/2025 23:05

I had planned C-section with both my kids. Planning a third. Severe HG hospitalised numerous times. That relief when I could eat 🎉🎊🎊🎉💯