Hyperemesis Support

[LucindaE]

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.

And finally just something to make you all smile. Dh was traumatised after changing his first nappy. She was screaming her head off and it was like watching someone do something in slow motion he was so terrified of hurting her. He has actually refused to do it until we get home so he can practice without a ward of experienced nicu nurses behind him! He does however beat me on bottle feeding. I suck at that.

Anyone else wondering how their dh will react to being a dad? It was one of the things that kept me going through pregnancy, him with our baby and what fun that would be.

All the best to living and punk - so pleased your HG journey is ending. Lots of love to little Daisy.

GP prescribed me cyclizine over phone this am, based on previous history, and DH went to collect, so I stayed in bed. Have popped first one now and will try lunch. Feeling shocking today but hoping this will stop the sickness actually developing. If I can prevent myself being sick I'll be so pleased. And amazed.

Losing a bit of weight, and surviving on sips of water, toast and plain sandwiches - but I am lucky (?) in that I'm off work with a bad hip so can just rest. Other than DS woke 4 times last night so DH was a zombie this morning and I had to do the morning shift. Fair enough.

Let's hope this cyclizine gets me through booking in app today.

punk hope all is going well, thinking of you!

I survived the GTT this morning, without throwing up the glucose drink. Phlebotomist (Sp?) was quite mean and abrupt though, although when she caught sight of my face halfway through trying to drink the vile stuff she did kick the bin towards me so I could puke in there if necessary

Back at work now, hiding in the office until teaching in just over an hour.

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply living. I can empathise with what you wrote about withdrawing into yourself. I think I've been doing that a lot recently. Today, when I realised the end of the pregnancy was so close, the awfulness of the whole experience 'hit'. I realised how miserable, lonely and mentally and physically buffeting it has been (and still is), and there is still the hurdle of giving birth and the mental/physical effects and toll that has on you.

You are so right about trying to concentrate on the positives - and I also loved the story of your dh changing Daisy's nappy! - and I'm going to try and do that.

I am back on my anti-anxiety medication (consultant re-prescribed it at my last appointment with him when he saw how bad a state I was in) and I've also spoken with one of the hospital therapists who was nice. I don't think there is a magical cure, and I know there are going to be at least some months of therapy post-birth to help me cope... I just want it to be over and feel strong again. Right now, I feel so low and at the end of what I feel I can cope with.

starry ... just ....

no magic cure no. But you have friends here who know what it's like, all too well. .

meerka I'm holding onto the thought that 'all things pass'.

living how is Daisy doing now? I hope she is getting better.

henrietta it sounds like we are at a v. similar stage. I am also still eating but not much/well, and have lost a bit of weight already (about a kilo). I am also hoping that the drugs (ondansetron in my case) will prevent escalation. I've been mostly off work for a few weeks now and SO BORED!

lottie v. impressed that you survived the GTT! I don't know why but in my hospital too the phlebotomists in the general phlebotomy bit are always pleasant, polite and cheerful, do their best to make sure you are feeling OK etc, but the ones in the maternity unit - where if anything surely your average client is MORE likely to be feeling nauseous/dizzy/feeble - are routinely horrible. Rude, totally uncommunicative and always ignoring you while they chat amongst themselves. Very odd.

Sorry you are struggling starry. You will get back to yourself again in time. I had a dreadful pregnancy and severe PND and even I got there eventually. Enough to be doing it again, even.

I spent a v. demoralising morning at the antenatal clinic. Took hours and saw a totally useless and clueless midwife. I read over what she had put in the notes afterwards and lots of it was just straightforwardly wrong!! Only plus is that I managed to get referred to a different midwifery team so I won't have to see her again. Not a sniff of an actual doctor despite the expedited referral/letter from other consultant, and I won't see a doctor until the end of June (which will, from experience, be a junior one), unless of course I end up admitted before then. Was such a grueling morning and then I got home and threw up for the first time after lots of recent near misses. 5w5d (was 5w4d last time!). Took ondansetron straight afterwards and spent all afternoon in bed and feeling a bit safer now though not yet brave enough to eat.

Only good thing is that they have booked me in for an early scan at 7w (week on Thursday). I really want to be sure that I am not enduring this for nothing and that the pregnancy looks OK.

Has anyone gone/considered going private either for antenatal care or for delivery? We are contemplating it. I don't think it makes sense to go totally private because if I do end up admitted for HG it would cost an absolute fortune. But I was wondering about a few private consultations for overall support/review, and then possibly booking in to deliver privately. My delivery was actually v. straightforward, despite still vomiting and being in a wheelchair from SPD, but my post-natal experience was v. poor and I think it contributed directly to my severe PND. Any thoughts? It is horribly expensive but last time demonstrated what a big difference those first few hours/days make to your recovery, so maybe worth coughing up for a bit of TLC? Personally I quite fancy a home birth but I think DH would be too scared!

Thank you for your support Kalidasa I really appreciate it. I can't get my head round not feeling like this at the moment, and it's not helping me. But, reading about your, meerka and living experiences do help, especially because you have been candid.

Just a quick thought: have you thought about going to a different hospital? I'm at UCLH and have found the consultant I see there - Dr Williams - absolutely brilliant. The midwives I've seen (when I've been able to make those appointments, only 3 of them including the booking in appointment) have also been great. A friend gave birth there just last month and had a good experience. I am going to have a C-section there and from what others have written about this at UCLH on mumsnet, the overall view has been positive.

Forgot to mention that dh and I were going to take a deep breath and go private if at any stage I hadn't felt comfortable or taken care of during this part of the pregnancy because of my bad anxiety disorder/emetaphobia etc. But, I can honestly say that it hasn't crossed our minds at all since meeting any of the midwives or the consultant, or even the sonographer!

I looked into it as I hate hospitals and couldn't bear to be separated from DH if I had to stay over but the cost put me off. I would love to though. I'm not anti-NHS but it can be quite hit or miss.

Have spoken to the local birthing centre (although it's in a hospital) and explained my concerns and they have agreed DH can stay with me if I have to stay in so am feeling calmer about the whole thing now.

Just had a pregnancy massage which was utter bliss. MIL got it for me to make me feel better. Was a bit worried about the smell of oils and possible motion sickness but it was amazing. Can't remember my own name now mind you.

Hang on in there girls. Love and support to all those suffering today.

Waiting on edge of seat for news of Punk.

Kali, not going private as we can't afford to, but one thing my hospital offers is a private room that you can pay for, for postnatal care. Treatment is still NHS but you have quiet and privacy would this be an option?

Starry I've had a couple of scans at UCLH as I've had some complications, although I'm delivering elsewhere. You're right, the care there has been great, I really don't think it could be better if it was private.

Hi all, hope everyone is feeling as well as possible today.

Patiently waiting for news from Punk.

kali, I would never consider going private because my local NHS hospital, and attached community midwife service, are absolutely fantastic. After 3 complicated pregnancies, one complicated birth, and one ill baby I honestly couldn't fault them. I've spent so much time with them that the midwives are starting to feel like old friends, and my consultant is super and very available. It's massively helped during my pregnancies and deliveries, but if I wasn't going to get this on the NHS then I do think that I might consider private care. Feeling supported is really important.

Okla that sounds nice! Storing up these ideas for a few weeks down the line.

starry, sorry you're finding it hard. It is hard, and pregnancy hormones don't help.

Horrible day here. Super sick and very nauseous. My HG is really up and down this time, which I suppose is a good thing (better than just down) - every few days I have a good day, with minimal vomiting and just background nausea to contend with, but then just when I start to feel hopeful it hits me like a brick again and I'm back to lying on the sofa just wishing the weeks away.

Daisy is doing great :) she will be on penicillin until she is discharged on Saturday next week. I'm doing better but very edgy about leaving the security of hospital as once I go her care is transferred to a local hospital. This is a big teaching hospital which only takes special cases so I should be grateful she is not a special case, but without boring on about detail it sends my paranoia through the roof and I have already refused point blank for her to go to our nearest one. The other is a 20 minute drive. Sigh I am waffling on here about nothing relevant to the thread!

My aftercare is a week in hospital mainly for psychiatric care. It has not worked out how we thought of course but still that side of things has been great. Things to bear in mind is the food might be rubbish, it's noisy and you don't really get privacy as the nurses barge in all the time although that might be a Dutch thing, and it's an unsettling environment for those of us that struggle with anxiety issues. The plus side is (for me as a first timer) to absorb all the nurses do with my baby, and I have a chance to rest without needing to care for her. They are very keen to ensure physically women don't overdo it so when you go home you are in the best of health to look after your baby. The Dutch system is quite unique in the support it gives. But it doesn't recognise that some need more support than others so once you are done you either pay for more help or your insurance company says no.

khali home birth rates here are huge - 30% I think meerka? They are big advocates of it. My aunt had two home births (Suffolk) and had an amazing experience.

Very excited for news of punk

kali, I had excellent post-birth care and it -does- make a big difference. Once the medicos will treatyou at all here, they are excellent and they are caring. None actually - understand- the impact of HG except my one gyne, but the kindness and overall excellent professionalism are excellent. Made a great difference to me psychologically. I'd be struggling much worse if it wasn't for the general superb quality (once you get taken seriously at all).

So yes, I'd say that good delivery and post birth care is really, really helpful.

Hi everyone,

Just catching up quickly.

Living, hope Daisy is ok.

Any more news from Punk?

meerka sounds wise to get help.

How's Greece Boo?

Sorry if I've missed anything.

It's been a very emotional day for me. Had my private scan today. Totally put my mind at ease. It was the best 100 euros I've ever spent. Wish I'd done it sooner. The short version is that everything is ok. Measuring a day behind but that's fine. Doctor is convinced that the new doctor in the general hospital just wasn't familiar with the equipment so couldn't check the measurements properly. She also said my weight is fine and as the baby is a perfect size it's unlikely I have gd. And it's a girl! The only negatives are the cord is round her neck and my pelvis is tiny so very probable section. But I'm fine with that and actually quite like the idea now.

It's an interesting debate about private vs public. Whilst I'm not in the UK I currently have the same dilemma. My experience of our local general so far is that it's not been consistent and every appointment has given me more to worry about instead of reassurance. The clinic I went to today isn't exactly state of the art but the doctor was thourough, honest and understanding and the first time I've seen any of those qualities in any hcp since I've lived here. We don't know if we can afford private but we are going to see how my next appointment at the general goes and then decide.

So glad to hear that daisy is doing so well living also great news that you are being so well looked after. Is the Dutch system similar to how itshould be in the nhs with regular post natal home visits from a midwife? Will you still have support from hospital psychiatry team or support you can access ?

kali will you not be booked under the same consultant this time? Was wondering whether you may find a doula helpful or an independant/private midwife?

Excitedly awaiting news of baby punk's arrival

mrsnec lovely to hear the scan went well. Lot of time to go, Im sure the cord will sort itself out

Great news about the scan mrsnec and don't worry about the chord I had that too and it is 80% of babies have it at one point or the other. There is loads of it!

Will write more tomorrow :)

Hi all, back from my holidays! Feeling more positive as not been sick since Thursday (touch wood) just felt horrendous on the drive home yesterday. Think a combo of finding a good routine for the Stemetil combined with placenta taking over more is really helping. Starting to eat more, and all of a sudden I have a bump appeared [Grin] Still constantly tired and my walking pace has dropped severely - no more marching among at speed!!

Lovely to hear about the babies on the thread! As a ftm I've no experience of my local general, but am also in the "can't afford private" club. I know I don't like my midwife though! I'm giving her a second chance in a couple of weeks, but we shall see about changing her. Hoping I'll be under consultant care for my lung disease.

Hope everyone has an ok day, I'm off to attempt to go to work again today! Dh has taken the week of to look after me, so really want to stay home but boss called yesterday and I agreed to go in today. Boo.

Hello everyone! We made it to Athens and are settling in. DD has had her first swim already so is very happy and weirdly enough my HG is suddenly a lot better. I have absolutely no idea why that is!

Oh my goodness living what a nightmare for you! There is nothing worse than a sick child and when they are so little and helpless it is particularly awful. I am so glad it's good news and I hope little Daisy can be allowed home asap.

Great news mrsnec! My baby had the cord around his neck at about the same stage scan but the doctor was very relaxed about it - it's apparently very common and doesn't mean anything about potential complications etc. At the 22wk scan he no longer had it round his neck so I think it's something that happens a lot when they are very little and the scan just picks a moment in time.

Any news punk?

Bon courage to everyone suffering!

Thanks all,

boo that's brilliant news.

I think I'm more worried about the pelvis thing than the cord thing. Id rather have a section than them faff about with forceps and make a mess down there especially with the pain killers situation anyway its giving the other lot something to discuss at my next scan. If they can't see either issue then I'll have my answer about if we should go private.

I'm feeling better today too. boo and everyone else who suffers from anxiety of some form, I am convinced that makes things much worse for us. I wonder if you feel better boo because you're relaxed and dd is happy?

Hi everyone, thanks for all your suggestions, we are considering all the options. The main problem with moving to another NHS hospital (e.g. UCLH) is that we are v. close to the Royal Free and even being five minutes away I found the latter part of pregnancy very hard. I had two or three appointments at the hospital every single week - they scanned me once a fortnight because I was still being sick, I had a lot of physio because of the severe SPD, plus all the medical and midwife appointments, and I was on crutches/in a wheelchair and still being sick. It was incredibly draining getting there and back again and the thought of a substantially longer journey each time in London traffic is v. offputting. To be honest I am not convinced in any case that UCLH would be so much better in my situation. I don't think the RF is a bad hospital. Also I do have some other medical conditions - e.g. rheumatoid arthritis - and obviously all my notes for that and my pregnancy history etc are all also at the RF.

A private room in an NHS hospital would be a good option but there are no private/single rooms at the RF for maternity.

I'm not sure a doula would make much difference because actually delivery is the bit I am least concerned about, it was fine last time. It was the conditions on the post-natal ward that were a real problem.

Yes, I am under the same consultant as last time, but I don't expect to see her unless I have been a) admitted and am b) extremely ill/kicking up a massive fuss. She doesn't really see patients in person. I think she is an excellent doctor clinically but you get no sense of personal support from her, and because she operates "via" her junior doctors you don't really get to build up a relationship either as of course you see different junior doctors each time. I saw a wonderful consultant at St Thomas' a week or so ago but that was just for a one-off opinion about how to handle my situation in early pregnancy, it is not practical for me to switch my care to there as it is too far away.

I spoke to DH about all this last night and actually he is not as opposed to a home birth as I thought so that is a possibility, especially as we are so close to the hospital. Though of course if anything goes wrong I'd end up in the RF post-natal ward anyway, which is what ideally I would like to avoid! Also I'm not sure what they would think about a home birth given that I am technically a "high risk" pregnancy even though the actual labour was v. straightforward and there were never any concerns about the baby at all. Last time I was more worried about getting to the hospital (because of the SPD, could hardly stand at all) than about the labour itself, so not having to leave would be great.

Any news from punk? Good news about the scan mrsnec and glad to hear you are feeling a bit better in Greece boo.

boo how pleased you must be to get to Greece at last and a health system you can navigate better. And sunny warm weather, very jealous!

khali I find consultants like that highly irritating. There's a real God complex amongst so many of them. I never understand how they actually treat people when they never see them. What's the use of it if they rely on second or third hand information? I've worked for some of the largest medical research charities and some practicing clinicians and researchers were great and still wanted to be hands on but most had egos the size of Everest.

I haven't found it to be so bad here and I know I had one of the top bods in the country - we called him Gandalf. He had a queue of patients because everyone wanted to see him. He did everything himself, took blood pressure, weight, ordered tests, prescriptions, everything. The time I saw a different consultant she was good but getting the nurses to do what she obviously thought were menial tasks.

As for a home birth I say go for it. Even if you are classed as high risk do you still get to choose? I guess it's just a case of finding the right midwife?

And some very good news on Daisy. She's being moved to a medium care ward today although we are sad as the nurses here are just unbelievable (don't get me started on the old hag upstairs earlier though) and she can come home on Tuesday so a whole five days earlier than we thought - a week today! My psychiatrist may be able to swing it so I can stay here until then so she doesn't even need to be transferred to a local hospital which is my biggest fear. And it's Dh's birthday and they made him a portrait of daisy and me to take away as a present! How sweet is that!

Hi everyone, not sure if I'm on the right thread, apologies if not! Am just feeling awful and don't know if I can cope with another 25 weeks of this! Have been sick all the way through, but today is the worst it's been. I can't even keep water down. It's just bile now (sorry, TMI), and so so sore. Have texted my health visitor (she has been supporting me since my last pregnancy as I had bad PND) and am waiting to hear back from her, but feel guilty cos I'm pretty sure there's not much she can do, and I know she's busy, though she would never say as much. Just feeling miserable and sorry for myself