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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Hyperemesis Support

991 replies

LucindaE · 26/04/2014 20:20

I hope everyone suffering from the Horrors of Hyperemesis will find this thread useful as a source of support and information.

There's no TMI on here - can't be by definition - and nobody should feel ashamed of moaning as much as they feel the need to.

MOH's wonderful website is full of useful information on this illness:
sites.google.com/site/pregnancysicknesssos/
Another invaluable website is:
www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk/
If you need help in obtaining medication, this phone number is
brilliant:
024 7638 2020

Lastly, the NICE guidelines on treatment are useful:
cks.nice.org.uk/nauseavomiting-in-pregnancy#!prescribinginfosub

I would like to thank Everyone who has given such invaluable support and advice on this and on previous threads.

Remember when you are at your worst, 'This Too Shall Pass'. It really will.
So many women on this thread have thought they couldn't get through this, but they did.

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HenriettaTurkey · 28/05/2014 11:35

Hello all! Just after a bit of advice. I've got my bfp today - apparently 6+3. Last time round I had horrible HG till 20 weeks. Any idea how I can minimise a repeat? Or is it luck of the draw?

PunkStar · 28/05/2014 11:51

Congrats Henrietta I would get on some pre-emptive treatment. I started taking cyclizine the day I got my positive result, with swift changes if things kept progressing. Evidence suggests this way of tackling it can help prevent it escalating in some cases :-)
Usually folk with HG start with symptoms a bit earlier than nvp so if you are over 6 weeks and a symptomatic fingers crossed it stays that way!!! Some folk do get symptoms a bit later I believe though....

Ah yeah, I hate hate hate it Living when MS and HG are likened. HG is not severe MS, it is it's own horrible entity, With extra additional features.

Meerka fed up that you still get nausea. My nausea is terrible if I get tired, crossing my fingers that I don't get it postnatally....

kalidasa · 28/05/2014 11:52

Oh god what a hideous article, banging on endlessly about this poor woman's catacylsmic weight loss while pregnant as if it were a plus point, and no comment at all on the low birth weight of all three babies and serious problems with the last, surely caused by poorly managed HG, as I imagine was the horrible illness she endured after the final pregnancy. No clear statement at any point that substantial weight loss in pregnancy is NOT a good thing, even if you are overweight to start with, and that weight loss caused by uncontrollable vomiting is not only bad but actively dangerous.

living it won't be long! If you go all weirdly calm and zen like, get ready, that was the sign for me. I was in such a state physically but then for the last few days I was a weird vision of tranquility, to be honest I felt totally stoned, it must be some funny hormone thing in pre-labour! I was super-calm once labour started too and didn't even wake DH up until I'd been sitting around timing them for a few hours and had already phoned the hospital. There's a mumsnet thread somewhere!

sunny your little boy sounds very calm and resilient! All credit to you - if he is calm and polite that's bound to be because you have somehow managed to remain calm and polite too!

meerka I found the same, I had quite persistent probs with nausea for a while and did throw up a few times when tired/stressed. I actually found I didn't recover fully until I stopped breastfeeding - apparently breastfeeding does keep some similar hormones circulating, though in much lower doses.

henrietta I am 5 weeks today; I had v. severe HG last time and threw up all the way through. I am already on a low dose of ondansetron - the GP was fine prescribing me cyclizine in advance but I saw a consultant last week who put me on the ondansetron. Have you seen your GP?

Well I have reached 5 weeks. I am really really struggling with the totally hideous ondansetron constipation, to which I seem to be unusually sensitive as I am taking very little but none of the constipation treatments I am using are really working. In the end I came off it for 48 hours just so the other methods would work and I could go to the loo. Grim. But on the plus side though I am retching regularly if I move around (and open - or even think about opening - the fridge!) I have not yet thrown up. Hurrah! Last time I started vomiting at 5w4d. A week or so ago I really thought I was going to start throwing up much earlier despite the cyclizine which was super depressing so at least this is something. Though obviously I am on the ondansetron and, I have to say, doing absolutely NOTHING. I do get dressed in the morning for morale but that is pretty much it.

Good luck to everyone.

kalidasa · 28/05/2014 11:56

Sorry henrietta I forgot to ask - what's your due date? Mine is January 28th if all goes well. And how old is your first child? DS is 18 months today!

dottytablecloth · 28/05/2014 12:00

Hello everyone, I hope you are all doing ok?

I'm so glad I posted on is thread, there is so much support and advice available here and it really helped me.

I think my sickness is starting to go! As soon as I say that I'll probably jinx myself but I haven't felt ill since yesterday morning.

I had my first scan yesterday and they put me back a week so they say I'm 11+2 but I still think I'm 12+2.

I did have an awful experience with the consultant who is trying to push me into vbac. I really want a repeat section but he tried to scare me about how risky it was. As someone on mumsnet pointed out last night they pitch a perfect vbac against a dreadful repeat c section so it's not really a fair comparison.

Anyway, I think I'll have to stand my ground and be strong.

I'll be keeping checking this thread to see how you are all doing.

kalidasa · 28/05/2014 12:04

That's wonderful dotty! I think it's really helpful when women whose HG does improve fairly early on came back on and post because otherwise inevitably the thread tends to be dominated by those of us who are stuck with it all the way through which is quite demoralising and maybe a bit misleading for women right at the beginning.

Lottiedoubtie · 28/05/2014 12:23

dotty I know exactly what you mean re. Perfect vaginal births vs. c- sections. I tried to have that debate with my midwife the other week and didnt really get anywhere. She just kept saying, if all goes well vaginal birth is safer. Yes, I agree, and that would be great but what are the likely impact of my pre-existing conditions, plus the pregnancy complications? She couldn't really give me an answer, I'm hoping the consultant will next week.

HenriettaTurkey · 28/05/2014 12:49

Thanks for the advice - spoke to GP today but didn't think to mention HG. Was more stressed about the X-ray I had 2 weeks ago! (Not a problem, apparently). I am probably 6+3 and have nausea and fatigue, but that's it. It all seems very surreal.

livingzuid · 28/05/2014 12:55

dotty that is great news about the sickness :) oh do not get me started on the natural birth is best bs. I have no choice but to go for that and induction here first, but really if c sections were so dangerous then no one would have them would they? I think the risk factor is exacerbated because women who do have them already have experienced a difficult birth situation and the odds of something awful happening were already much increased. I am sure I read that somewhere.

Whilst other women are left to struggle on. Sigh.

khali that is good to know. I am very much changing in my head - dh has noticed too - so we can only hope it is not long!

livingzuid · 28/05/2014 12:56

On the constipation - I guess prune juice and the usual don't help? Or can't be tolerated?

kalidasa · 28/05/2014 12:56

What's access to your GP like henrietta? If you know you can get an appointment quickly if you need it (e.g. later that day) you could leave it and see how you go for the next few days. But if you usually have to wait a day or so I would make an appointment now because realistically you've got a few weeks to go before you reach the hormonal peak and you don't want to reach the severe vomiting stage without any medication. Do you remember when it started last time? or how quickly you deteriorated - e.g. from the first vomit to being seriously ill/dehydrated?

I agree with punk that there does seem to be some correlation for most women between how early the sickness starts and how bad it gets so fingers crossed that you are not going to be as ill this time.

kalidasa · 28/05/2014 13:00

living I have not tried prune juice but am finding juice in general hard and really don't want to set off any vomiting. Maybe I should give it a go though. At the moment I am eating regular kiwis, taking movicol every day and using suppositories. But no joy with these until I actually came off the ondansetron completely for a bit. I could try to take more movicol every day I suppose but I am already struggling with it as it exacerbates the nausea/retching.

Last time I tried absolutely everything and only enemas worked, was totally awful. But I had got really bad before treating it. I was hoping that if I treated aggressively as soon as I started taking ondansetron it would be better. Bit depressing that this doesn't seem to be the case.

PunkStar · 28/05/2014 14:56

Kali although I appreciate you are not feeling well, I'm so pleased you've got this far without vomiting. I think at five weeks I was heavily retching too. Do you have a follow up appointment with Prof or access to discuss things further if needed?

Dotty so glad you are feeling better :-)

I had the same thoughts Kali , the ladies on this thread are probably the more prolonged end of the spectrum.....I feel like I've been lingering on here forever ;-)

The point of being offered CS versus VBAC is because both options carry risk and they don't know which is best, hence the risk is shared with mother to choose which is preferred risk for her (uterine rupture anyone?) Hospitals get audited on CS rate too.
In an ideal world we would all have beautiful water births with minimal pain relief, but in this world I have HG and the sooner I can get out of it the better. Midwife nor consultant argued with me at my CS/VBAC consult. Probably a combination of my death stare and my statement of HG/pregnancy hatred.
If you've had a previous CS, the choice is yours. They can't make you have a trial of scar unless that is what you want. I appreciate that many women do want to try for a natural birth but for me I just need this to be over :-(

kalidasa · 28/05/2014 15:10

Yes punk it is good. Every afternoon at the moment I become increasingly convinced today is the day I start - I am feeling that at the moment - but so far the drugs + serious rest have managed to ward it off. I won't see the Prof again as she is not really local to me but I have my first appointment with the consultant-led clinic at my local hospital on Monday and I think they will probably have her letter by then. Obviously they have given me an earlier booking-in appointment than usual because of the history. Also, in the worst case scenario that the vomiting starts badly at the weekend (i.e. same time as last time despite drugs) it's good to know I've got that appointment on Monday.

mrsnec · 28/05/2014 15:37

That Dm article is shocking. I don't mind a bit of the dm at times but I always take it all with a pinch of salt. I think weight is the last thing we should worry about when pg be it losing or gaining and I have already been paranoid about it both ways this time!

sorry to hear you're poorly Boo. That sounds truly awful. I really hope you're better by the time you fly. Don't worry about packing too much if you forget anything you can just get it there.

Re the constipation I suffered terribly at the beginning. I couldn't stomach juice either. For a short time I could down the tiny cans of prune juice if they were ice cold. I still have days where all I can eat are bran flakes, pears and plums so I no longer have that problem!

dotty, at 22 weeks nobody has even mentioned my options yet at least it's being discussed. I hope you get what you want.

Sunshine isn't really doing me any favours at the moment. Its been 33 degrees today and I am struggling a bit.

Good luck living and punk and Kali I do hope you've managed to ward off the worst of it for now

livingzuid · 28/05/2014 15:55

punk this made me laugh In an ideal world we would all have beautiful water births with minimal pain relief

Oh I thought that would be me, with essential oils and candles burning and soothing music on in the background, doing yoga whilst waiting for the final labour phase serenely smiling at DH whilst breathing effortlessly though contractions and the would last no more than 4 hours. How wrong could I get! If what I have had over the last 24 hours is anything to go by, I will spend the birth puking up over DH and screaming for pethadine!

mrsnec sorry that you feel so rotten. I didn't discuss birth options till week 33ish if that makes you feel any better. Not that I had any options really :( but I made an attempt to try and state my preferences. Essentially no epidural unless they need to do it for a c section. I am adamant about that.

can you take a dip in the pool? Or sea? or just feel too rubbish?

khali :( It's so difficult to try normal things to ease constipation simply because it's not possible to keep the food or drink down - or even make the attempt. Enemas are not fun are they? I saw someone suggested Fybogel which was on this very good hospital bag thread if anyone is interested, and also Lactulose - but I guess you aren't allowed laxatives? The Fybogel might be worth looking into though.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/a2042452-The-Definitive-Hospital-Bag-list

kalidasa · 28/05/2014 16:07

They kept giving me lactulose in hospital last time and in the end the nurses said it was ridiculous because I threw it up immediately every time without fail. So that's why the GP prescribed the movicol instead. I seem to remember that fybogel also tastes pretty awful. But I'm going to ask about this next week. Last time I was told to try any and all laxatives in the end! But obviously I'd rather hold off on serious laxatives for now if poss.

SomeSunnySunday · 28/05/2014 16:27

dotty great that you are feeling better. I had DS1 by emergency section, and DS2 by elective section. The RCOG and NICE guidelines are good, and explain the risks of repeat section and VBAC in full. I was completely convinced, having read these, that the safest option for DS2 was a repeat section, and once I put my choice in these terms to the obstetrician she didn't really try to argue any more (although Punk is right, you can't actually be refused a repeat section). In practice my elective section was very straightforward, and (fingers crossed that this pregnancy goes well) I will also be having an elective section with DC3.

Sorry so many of you are struggling. All fine here, 10 weeks today, have my first midwife appointment time tomorrow. DS1 and DH are here for a visit until Monday, so I'm hoping to feel well enough to manage a park trip or something at the weekend.

Booboostoo · 28/05/2014 16:41

dotty I am sorry you are getting patronising birth advice! The biased information on birth choices is a bit of a bug bear of mine. While risks are subjective, complex and affect mother and baby differently the ordering of birthing options from less to more risky is:
VB no complications
ELCS
EMCS
VB complications

For some people the choice of VB with the possibility of either the least or most risky experience is too worrying so they chose ELCS for more control over the level of risk overall (I appreciate no one can control the outcome of risk, but we can control risk exposure) - that is what I did.

Multiple CSs do increase risk overall, there is a marginal increase with the third CS and a more substantial risk with the fourth CS.

HenriettaTurkey · 28/05/2014 17:11

Access at our GP is variable, Kali, although better if you don't mind which GP you see. I will call up tomorrow and see if I can book in for Monday.

Last time my HG didn't start till week 9!

I'm another one wanting an ELCS here - had a vb last time with pre-ec & PUPPS. And at +9. All of which manifested after 39 weeks. Also had seriously quick labour. Really don't want to go through that again. Not sure what they'll say about that, or when to raise the issue.

LucindaE · 28/05/2014 18:02

Just back from a trip to Shrewsbury - I don't drive these days, so by train, foul weather. o was talking to a French student and a Romanian women on holiday on the way back, very interesting....
HenriettaTurkey Another striking name - welcome. Sorry you've suffered horribly before, I'm sure as a veteran you know all about testing for dehydration and so on. Can't improve on others' advice.
Kali I do remember how horribly you suffered with your bowels and how none of the normal things helped and you had to get that enema thing on line. Glad no puking yet. Fingers crossed...
Dotty So glad you're feeling better. I'm so glad this thread helped and it is so nice of you to come on to encourage others.
mrsnec and Booboo Sorry feeling foul.
elizabeth'smum livingzuid and Everyone. I daren't read the Daily Mail - I split my shirt and turn Envy green if I do - and I'm the age when I should have learnt cynical tolerance... How much of her original weight did the poor woman lose?
Meerka Sorry about puke - must have brought back awful memories for you both - DS will forget it all if advice on other threads is anything to go by in a few months...and the pleasure of a playmate and ally against the adults...
I was and am a noisy puker too, and retch horribly. I envy genteel pukers like Livinzuid!
SomeSunny I'm glad you feel a bit better than the other day and good luck with park trip.
Punkstar I will be sorry to lose you as the day approaches, but you won't be sorry to go! Such good advice you always give.
Waves to Lottie and Everyone and apologies to anyone overlooked.
xx

OP posts:
kalidasa · 28/05/2014 18:05

Lucinda over the course of three pregnancies she lost 10 stone!! Obviously she was quite seriously overweight to start with but it is still really shocking coverage of such serious illness. All three babies were born small as well, the last very small. Ugh.

LucindaE · 28/05/2014 18:44

Kali Sounds horrific, and typical trivialisation (I don't think that's epelling os right!) A woman on a thread on another site lost nearly half her body weight Hypeemesis (though it was treated it wasn't effective). She went down from I think fifteen stone to eight and a half.

OP posts:
starrynight123 · 28/05/2014 18:58

Hello again! I've been lurking a bit and enjoying not feeling so nauseous/sick for the last few days. And then it came back suddenly this morning: woke up at 8am and started being sick :-( Still feeling very sick now. I know it sounds silly, but it was a bit of a shock to the system after a couple of weeks of 'just' nausea and no actual being sick.

I'm 29wks now and utterly exhausted physically while also completely fed-up of this constant nausea plus sickness. Although, I have to be grateful that the sickness has eased over the last couple of weeks. Given that I've been very nauseous since December and throwing up since January, it's about time I got a bit of respite!!

living given what you are going through, it sounds as though you are coping really, really well!

kalidasa have you tried linseeds in/on any food to help with the constipation? I found things like that more tolerable than juices etc because they don't taste so much.

Did anyone else find they got really exhausted c.29wks? Is it just me?

PunkStar · 28/05/2014 19:02

Hehe Living I had numerous romantic thoughts in my first pregnancy for around five mins before HG kicked in!! Yup, yoga, candles, water birth .....as soon as I found out LB was breech this went out of the window in a mad frenzy!! Yes! An end!!!

I hate reading news articles on HG, they rarely report how soul destroying the condition is. Even the whole Kate Middleton thing didn't really help (especially when she came out of hospital looking extremely well and glamorous) I looked horrendous for pretty much the first 20 weeks. It has been a very slow progression to me looking a little bit like myself (albeit with a pot :-)

Anyway Living willing you past the finish line ASAP :-)