If you had HG in a previous pregnancy...

[Thurlow]

Did it affect your thinking when ttc again?

We've been discussing trying for number 2. In theory I'm all for it - but I can't stop thinking about the HG. I didn't have the worst case (some people possibly wouldn't count it as true HG, but it certainly wasn't simple MS), I avoided hospital and I managed to only take a few days off work. But I threw up several times a day from 6w-26w, then started again in the last few weeks, was on medication for the entire pregnancy (which brough it down from throwing up about 8x a day), and only managed to stay at work because it was a very quick, easy commute, my colleagues were understanding, and the sickness got worse as the day progressed.

The thought of suffering from that again is really affecting me making a decision to get try and pg again. I have a much longer commute so will probably end up being signed off, though that worries me far less than the simple thought of being so constantly ill, of going back to not being able to eat. A mw I saw recently tried to reassure me by saying that this time around I know it will end at some point - but on the flip side, I also know how bloody awful I'm going to feel for months.

I'm just looking for stories, I think, and wondering if anyone else struggled with what, some days, feels like willingly signing yourself up for at least 4 months of food poisoning...

No clear answer here but I know just how you feel. I was extremely ill (in hospital a lot in the first few months, completely confined to bed for the first five, was still throwing up (though a lot less often) right to the end). I don't feel I have recovered from the pregnancy at all. When I took the maximum dose of all the available drugs together I was able to stay out of hospital (but not get out of bed), but I was totally drugged up and the side effects were horrendous. I don't want just one child but I'm not sure if I/my DH/our marriage could take it again. Certainly not soon! (DS is only six months old and I am still having probs with nausea and occasional vomiting.)

I also had v. severe SPD (was on crutches for months and in a wheelchair at the end) so basically as soon as the sickness got a bit better my pelvis fell apart! Even if the sickness was a bit better a second time (not that likely I don't think) the SPD would almost certainly be worse/come on earlier. My pelvis still hasn't recovered either so the whole picture is pretty daunting!

I had HG and during my first pregnancy I was sick approx 10 times per day from 7 weeks until 31 weeks when I decided I'd had enough and went on maternity leave early and then for me the sickness stopped at that point.

I then felt pregnant with dd 2 when dd1 was only 1 and I have to say it was tough as it is not only you to look after then. My mum actually reminded me the other day about how dd1 used to copy me being sick in the toilet for fun. I did go into hospital this time with dehydration and was prescribed the tablets which the first time I hadn't as midwife advised me that being sick was normal and basically what was I complaining about whereas with dd2 I lost 1/2 stone in a week and felt so ill I went to the Doctor as could not keep going.

One thing I did read was that with each pregnancy your sickness is worse until about your 4th or 5th but for me I felt that even though it was more severe at the start of second pregnancy I knew what was coming and how to help myself and also not to take rubbish from midwife and that meant my pregnancy was much improved on the whole from the first.

My mother and sister had HG too and they both found that it was about the same severity each time, with only minor variations (mother has five (Lord knows why!!) and sister three, though neither were quite as bad as me). I would be surprised if it were much better, as I had two v. early miscarriages (4-5 weeks) before my successful pregnancy and I was already very ill with those. (Was admitted for the first time at five weeks with my son.) If I did do it again, I would definitely take preemptive medication from soon after ovulation, as my symptoms started within 48 hours and apparently if you can avoid the initial escalation sometimes it doesn't get as bad. So I suppose you would be prepared for it, but then on the other hand there'd be all the complications of trying to sort out care and continuity for our son. It sounds selfish but I desperately needed the emotional support of my husband during those months, and I know that he just wouldn't have as much to offer a second time, what with trying to keep his own work going and looking after DS. It's a really tough decision. I also love my job and it would be hard to face the prospect of (basically) another whole year or more off. (It was only a year in the end, but only because I went back to work when DS was four months old.)

The support I could get would be a bit of an issue, as DP works funny hours so wouldn't be around much, and while I know my parents could help out a bit, my mum, bless her, has some funny ideas about 'not putting yourself through it again'. And while my immediate colleagues are understanding, my firm isn't, so flexible or home-working wouldn't be possible. But I do understand this time around that I shouldn't push myself at all and will just get signed off if I feel terrible.

It's really playing on my mind at the moment as my work is hitting a dead end but there's not much else I can do in the current climate, so really the logical decision, as we would like more than one DC, is to try for DC2 quite soon and then either hope my sector has picked up a bit when I finally return or look to move to a completely new job.

Holiday, that's awful that your mw told you that I was very fortunate that I had an understanding GP who put me on medication straight away. That worries me too, that I was medicated right from the start and still felt so bad. Maybe the distraction of looking after DD would help!

I know each pg is different and you never know what is going to happen, but it feels hard making a decision when you know there's a such a big chance of the same problems happening again.

(Sorry, I appear to be feeling very negative about this today!)

Hi thurlow, my HG with first pregnancy sounds very similar severity to yours. Only admitted once at 7 weeks and other than that battled on with medication and didn't miss more than 2 days of work, but it was horrific.

I was so scared of getting pregnant this time. I waited till DS was 2.5, a lot easier, out of nappies, starting a bit of preschool. I only work 2 days a week since having DS.

When I got my positive pregnancy result this time, I immediately went to GP (I think I was 3 weeks + 5 days!) and asked for my HG meds. She was happy to prescribe, and I started them that day (way before my HG started with DS-think it was 6 weeks it kicked in with my 1st pregnancy) and I've been on them since (now 24 weeks)

I felt awfully nauseous 6-15 weeks, but honestly not as bad as last time, only sick on average once a day (usually after DS gone to bed)
I think it was better this time cos i didnt have full time work/stress. Having a 2 hour nap every afternoon when my DS does. My mum came up 1-2 hours a day (normally 3-5 when I was at my worst) and my DH made sure he was always home for 5.20 to take over. I had already batched cooked teas and put in the freezer, so DH and DS ate these whilst I lay on the sofa. I remembered to eat when I could this time (which I don't think I did as well last time). And weekends we did nothing, other than go to my parents so DS could have fun with daddy and grandparents, whilst I lay on the sofa.

When I try to come off the meds now, I feel horrific within a few hours, so im staying on them, but since 15 weeks, I can pretty much function as normal.

Sorry for the long post, but just wanted to explain, I was sooooo scared this time, but I was prepared for it, had family, freezer, store cupboard all prepared, which did make it a lot easier than last time (plus the preemptive meds!)

Thanks Thurlow as she was my first I just went along with her thinking she knew best

Hi I had hg with my first. It was terrible I was hospitalized on a drip 7 times and went from a size 14 to a size 10. For me hg started really early too at 5-6 weeks and I was throwing up till the day I gave birth.

I was so sure that dd would be our only child. But by the time she was two I wanted another. I was an only child and hated it. So we decided to start ttc when dd went to school at 3 so I'd be on my own am a sahm.

I was pretty bad till around 18 weeks then it calmed down. I was still being sick but just in the morning and even though I was sick it was no where near as bad as before.

Good Luck with whatever you decide.

Yes. It took me 5 yrs to find the courage to do it again. I've had it again but I asked for help sooner from the gp and knew how to manage it a little better this time. I'm now nearly done 3 weeks to go.