hyperemsis

[patkica]

I know this has come up before, but am need of advice. I had hypermesis with my first: 4 weeks until the end, in and out of hospital etcc. It was absolutely revolting, never been so ill. I'm wondering if anyone had it in subsequent pregnancies? the stats are confusing. Is it worth doing again and how will I look after the first?

I had it with my first, but we discovered that mine was being triggered by a pregnancy allergy to milk, by cutting out milk this time, I have managed a fairly normal pregnancy.

Unfortunately if you don't have a trigger as such that you know of, I don't know how much help that would be.

I was terrified of doing it again - I didn't know if cutting out the milk would be enough, I worried how I would cope with HG and a toddler, but the one thing I kept in my mind was that feeling when I look at my DD sleeping... and I knew that it was worth the 9 months of misery (and deep depression in my case).

I did state very clearly though that although DH would love 3 children, if it came back and stopping milk didn't help, then we were stopping at 2 .

I'm 27 weeks pregnant with no 2 and had hyperemesis with both pregnancies, each time ending up in hospital with a drip .This time I needed Zofran tablets (an anti sickness drug they give to people having chemo)to make me feel a bit better. I still lost nearly 2 stone though. Also difficult with toddler in tow who keeps asking why mummy is sick all the time (in street, in Asda etc etc). My husband works 250 miles away and I wouldn't have survived without my mum coming to stay and help with DD. Thankfully it all settled by 20 weeks. Lets say I'm now looking at permanent forms of contaception as I couldn't face it all again. If you consider no 2 make sure you have support from family.

I was hospitalised with hyperemisis too - and had a conversation with the woman in the next bed who had been hospitalised for it in all four pregnancies.

Certainly the impression that I was given was that it is somehitng you're pre-disposed to. (However, girls worse that boys... I have Dd.. so hope)

Having said that - I'm ttc again now - I've always maintained that mummy hormones play havoc with memory of unpleasantness. (No kidding - I have only the sketchiest recollection of giving birth).

Last time I realised that travelling made me v. bad. I moved house in the fourth month next door to my work (following second hospital stay), and whether it was the timing or eliminating travel, after that it was manageable (although I still threw up, I started putting on weight). So, i guess, like Flamesparrow I'm hoping that I identified my triggers.

I also feel more confident about managing it second time around. I've a very definite plan:

• my priority is to remain hydrated,
• early foetus is very good at drawing out nutrient from mother, so I'll just forget about trying to eat anything other than cream crackers until I feel up to it
• I expect it to be awful
• won't get on a tube, will feed my family microwave meals, and will take ample sick leave before I get utterly exhausted.

support here

info here

I too had to be hospitalised with HG (dehydration), and have worked for the second link on the info line. If oyu need a chat or have any specific questions, you can e- mail me on Peaches and cream 04 @ bt internet . com (np spaces), or if you post here I'll keep an eye out.

I had it but milder in my second PG, firtunately my FAB Gp medicated me from my first signs which I think kept me from going the dehydration-deterioration route. DS3 I only needed medication for a small while. However, I have known people become more ill with the second, TBH I think it varies. A lot depends on how well you care for yourself- you can't prevent HG obviously but there are certain things you CAN do (eg, sleep deprivation is inked to severe nausea, and often poeple who can't keep a drink down CAN keep dopwn ice, lettuce or melon- all high water content).

There are lots of tips on the website.

Do remember that medication improves all the time, and it really is worth fighting to get what you need- the best, unofrtunateyly, costs the NHS lots so is hard to get. I know people who swear by Zofran as the best, but also by homeopathy, and acupuncture, both worth a look imo.

I hope this helps a little, take care

X

Thanks everyone, especially PeachClair. I had medication last time, but I don't think it helped, but as you say, they may have improved by now. I've also heard that high doses of B6 can help so I'll try that too. When I was pregnant, I told my DH to kill me if I ever thought of doing it again, but he's lovely and worth it that I think I'll go for it and line up my mum. What really helped me was epichach so I'll try that again too. The links are fab: just knowing I'm not alon really helps. There's nothing worse than people saying 'oh, you have morning sickness ... I remember going off coffee!'. They have no idea.

if I can add my twopennyworth - I have had HG in all my pregnancies and am now onto my fifth baby (big gaps in all but last two pregnancies due partly to badly-sleeping babies and partly to the memories of the HG).

I'm 34 weeks now and still suffering, vomiting regularly (although nowhere near as badly as earlier on) and nauseous constantly. When it gets just too much I go into hospital for fluids and anti-emetics, over a couple of days. Ondansetron (zofran) has helped me too, as has Cyclizine, as long as it's administered IV. I find no oral medication works, possibly because I puke it up again .

Normally I am sick for the last time the day or so after delivery. TBH I don't know how I have coped sometimes, except to think that there is no option and I have to.

It is the worst thing though and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. It also doesn't help when people trivialise it and say oh yes I had that, I went off coffee and was sick in the mornings, or, have you tried ginger it worked for me when I had that? Gggrrr.

Wishing you well. x

sorry that we all seem to be saying you get it in all pregnancies. I had it with my dd 3 years ago and have it now carrying db (boy) am 31 weeks. It has been as bad this time I am afraid. Unfortunately this time it has also come with more side effects like anaemia because I cant tolerate oral iron tablets and cant eat an iron rich diet so I have been hospitalised for that too and had iron infusions. I have found it has been better to be prepared this time and I know to keep hydrated and know what some of the triggers are. Unfortunately with a small child (and we waited a whole 3 years till dd was a bit easier presuming I'd be ill again) you can't avoid so many of the triggers as you can when it's just you. Toilet smells, needing to go to public toilets with dd (always sick when I go to public toilets), walking her to school and back and generally just being more tired as you have a small child all have made it worse.

However, even though I have had a terrible pregnancy again, I am so pleased to be having one last baby (dh booked in for a vasectomy now) and do not regret the decision now that I am coming to the end of the final pregnancy. Little ones are so worth it (although it doesn't seem like that when you are going through it again).

I really hope for you that it was a one off and that you wont be so ill next time, and good luck with the ttc.