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, phone them on:
024 7638 2020
Lastly, the NICE guidelines on treatment are useful:
cks.nice.org.uk/nauseavomiting-in-pregnancy
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.

lovely 4D scan pics Shehz Love those scans, wish I could have another though by this point baby is so squashed up it wouldn't look so good.

Got some of my results back already (local lab is quick and texts some results straight to you), my haemoglobin is still the same as ever 9.7 so the iron isn't helping but at least it's not getting worse. Will have to wait until next week at my OB appointment to find out if my ferritin store levels have improved at least.

No nursery set up here, this is just a two bedroom house (well there's my study which could be a 3rd bedroom but I don't want to lose my study yet!), baby will be in with us until a year old at least and then will share with DD until she gets to an age when she doesn't want to share with little brother any more, then we'll have to turn the study into her bedroom.

Ah I loved when I could start drinking tea again meadow made me feel much more human again. Think I shall make a pot full now (just woke up from the loveliest nap) and then go see what snowman DD and OH have been making while I've been sleeping.

Keep thinking of new things to write after I hit post, mumsnet needs an edit option! But yeah, I remember going through all those fears before DD was born, wondering if I'd cope, if I'd know what to do, if I'd be an adequate mum or not but once she was born most things just started to come naturally and after the first few weeks when I realised I could actually keep her alive(!) I started to relax from those worries. I am sure it'll be similar for you lot, and if in doubt then us ones that have done it before are just a message away.

To those of you who can eat meals now, what meals do you eat? I've started being able to eat a lot of different snacky type foods but hardly any 'proper' meal stuff, so I still don't really eat dinner. I'm planning to have a tin of tomato soup tonight which I can manage and yesterday I had some wedges but tried Quorn chicken nuggets with it (I am vegetarian) and found they suddenly tasted grim - I still have an odd, sour taste in my mouth a lot of the time which makes lots of food taste grim. I can eat plain pasta, plain rice, etc but struggling to find things to eat with them that I can stomach that don't taste nasty to me/don't make me feel nauseous/vomit .

I still find it hard to eat proper meals, have them maybe 3 or 4 times a week and the rest of the time I survive on toast and snacks. When I do have a meal it's some kind of meat with steamed veggies.

MeadowHay no way am I stopping ondansetron then, I'd be a mess if I did, I start vomiting if I forget to take it on time. Aww it's sad that this can stop us from wanting more, I think as time goes on you forget a little more until you fall pregnant then the memories all come flooding back. I'm just so jealous of people who have little or no sickness!

I'm so greedy, I love food so not being able to eat what I want is so depressing, i still can't manage proper meals but I always have an ice cube after anything I eat because everything leaves a horrible taste in my mouth after and that helps

justtheonethen Are we? You are in East London as well? I'd love to meet up!
Totally get the excitement, very much the same here

Meadow Oh I do like flats more as well but DH doesn't unfortunately.
Oh is your 20 week scan anytime soon?
I just realised it's your 1st as well.
Can totally relate with the anxiety about something going wrong but we can always hope for the best. And hopefully the best happens to all of us, especially after having suffered for so long with HG.

Natsku Those scans are indeed so nice that I would want to do one again but you are right, it wouldn't be worth it with baby squashed up in there.
Very reassuring to read about your experience with your DD.

28+weeks here and still got that foul taste sometimes in my mouth. SO unpleasant

Anyone dealing with HG with a little one in toe? We are thinking of trying for our second soon because of my age (38 in Feb) but I’m scared about how we’ll manage. My severe sickness usually goes by 16 weeks so it’s not the whole pregnancy but still seems daunting. Just trying to plan ahead so any tips would be welcome. Cyclizine and stemetil helped me last time but not sure how I would cope with a young child too. I feel I only want to wait til I’m 39 at the latest as time is not on my side (he’ll be 18 months when I turn 39) any help greatly appreciated. I didn’t by want to miss the chance to extend my family because of this horrible condition. Xx

There's some here with toddlers (mine is older so she can be left to her own devices most of the time thankfully), I expect it's a case of allowing a lot more telly than normal while you try and get through the days. And I suppose it's a good lesson for them in empathy, seeing you suffer.

Shehz no, in south east London but not too far really. We could meet in the middle! Would be lovely to meet you, especially as our babies will be so close in age!

Whoever mentioned it, I have been on metoclopromide and ondansetron for my whole pregnancy!

Meadow I struggled to eat anything other than the blandest meals once I was on meals, nothing in particular but just went with whatever I fancied. That said I mainly ate snack food or toast from weeks 16-28, before that I ate grated cheese, cold jackets and not much else!
I loved when I could drink tea again. Still can't if I'm in a relapse mind.

Twinkle it's my first and sadly probably last as I'm 30 weeks and only have relief this past few days from steroids. Taking cyclizine along with b6 as soon as you are pregnant has some evidence of working to stop it getting hold. You're very brave to consider it!

Guys massive news here . Steroids are the absolute bomb.
I haven't had barely any meat this pregnancy, it's been my worst aversion and tonight I fancied and enjoyed ribs from the Chinese! It's so marvellous! I'm thrilled!!

Still got barely any nausea and my extra saliva/ridiculous sense of smell has diminished

So glad the steroids are working well Just!

Honestly can't believe it Natsku

Wow so many posts since this morning. Busy thread.

Shehz so I did say several threads back that I measured 6 days earlier than my initial calculation so the 24th was their estimate it never got changed and I didn't mind as I thought my calculations were closer they were not lol just due to my periods, conception and when hg kicked in. My first time round it was about 8 weeks for sickness 6 for nausea but I got really sick but this time it was about 4 weeks for nausea and 6 for sickness so I just assumed my calcs must be closer lol. Sorry I should have changed it. Il be 12 days over for induction booked on the 4th at 8pm. Your baby yawning is possibly the cutest thing Iv ever seen, I'm not a fan of these scans normally but you have conveyed me with that one.

Crazy I try my best at housework but standards have massively slipped and mostly cause my breakdowns over and above the stress of hg symptoms, it's crap. I'd recommend a cleaner if you can justify it for next year or so but I'm within Natsku and tend to stick to the basics, laundry, dishes and bathroom cleaning.

Glad you got your bloods sorted Nat.

Just I'm honestly so happy the steroids are working for you. Enjoy the nursery my two year old never went in his lol.

Everyone talking about worrying with first borns it's totally normal. I now suffer mummy guilt 24/7 too it's bearable but it's crap to constantly question everything you do. Best advice if it feels right to you then that's what's right don't get too bogged down in everyone else's parenting styles.

Twinkle my wee boy is 2.5 years and my baby is due any day now so a wee bit more of an age gap than what yours will be. My advice rope in as much help as you can either family, nursery, cleaner. Tv and a fridge full of snacks that can be thrown on a plate for breakfast and lunch and dinners that can be bunged in the microwave for family and hopefully you occasionally at least. Also having the meds to hand so as soon as you feel even slightly sick start popping them straight away, hopefully you never get to your worst at any point. Rest as much as you can and don't feel remotely guilty about it.

mustang your 100% right there.
twinkle I went to GP as soon as was pregnant to get stock of meds that worked after 1st pregnancy. Not everyone gets it 2nd or 3rd etc time however as can be seen on the thread it is common...
I felt awful for my oldest when pregnant and ill. But in reality it was only a very short period of his life and he doesn't even remember it now (2 year age gap). I was signed off work (not sure how many others are) and he carried on going to childminders for 3 days a week, my mil had him one day so I only had 1 day solo to cope with him. Half the time I could probably have coped with work but wouldn't have coped with looking after him at all! Guilt does no one any good! ... Oh and yes yes yes to more tv mustang (good preparation for new born days when baby needs feeding in my experience!)

justtheone so glad you've found what works for you 🤞 it lasts

CrazyPlantLady I used to consume a lot of ice too although mini milk ice lollies also were a bit of a treat! Being able to eat whole meals again is worth holding on to.
meadow Hope it's not getting you down too much but so common not to manage much. Just go with what you fancy little and often. Sometimes you try something and it doesn't stay down. Most of my food was beige and bland to not make me feel worse so not very inspiring.
Natsku I'm incredibly impressed with vegetables those were not even worth attempting for me. Straight up and vile.after taste!!!

Shehz what stunning photos! Hold on to the happy bits of your pregnancy!

Hope no one else is wide awake middle of the night. Bit of an insomniac I'm afraid so will mainly he catching up with everyone in the early hours. Take care!

Hi Shehz, amazing scan pictures, what a sweetie!! My nausea did go straight away with my first. With my Mmc and my second it took a couple of weeks but it was much much milder within a day or two, so totally bearable. Never got close to throwing up after birth!

Shez your scan pictures are amazing. Your baby is gorgeous I love the one of them yawning.

Meadow I can also eat tomato soup. Soup of any kind is good if can't drink much. Most of my meals are based on potato. I ate jacket potato with beans and cheese every day until I went off cheese after being sick. I ate a quorn cottage pie ready meal the other day accompanied by an ice lolly. I also like pasta with just peas and olive oil. Cake of any kind is good as well.

just I am pleased that the steroids are working for you.

Mustang its good that you have a date for your induction. I hope your baby comes soon.

Lucinda I hope your brother gets better soon.

When did people start buying things for their baby. I am 19 weeks and I haven't bought a single thing. All this talk of nurseries is making me feel very guilty. I have so much to sort out in my house to get the room ready and I haven't felt up to doing any of it. I thought about getting some stuff in the sales but no idea what to buy.

Vegetables just reminded me of something that's been good for me when feeling sick - frozen peas! Like tiny little ice lollies but also get some goodness into you. Also frozen strawberries are wonderful.

I've been buying bits and bobs since I found out I was pregnant Elephant usually whenever I saw something I liked in a second hand shop or online auction

Ah you are all very chatty the last day or two !

I could eat a jacket potato but probably only with butter and salt and pepper. I can't stomach cheese which is sad cos usually I eat a lot of cheese probs cos of being vegetarian. Think I could maybe stomach like Philadephia though. I have wrote a long shopping list of anything I think I can stomach for DH to order. I managed to eat some vegetables on Xmas day and leftovers on Boxing Day - sprouts, asparagus, carrots - I found the thought of them was grim, but once I actually ate them it was fine, but then I did have a lot of gravy and I think that helped. Plus I bloody love sprouts and we basically never eat them cos DH doesn't like them. I have cravings for smoked salmon and tinned tuna which is really annoying as I'm vegetarian and haven't eaten fish for a few years now and really don't want to . It's funny how I literally never think about it for years and suddenly I'm pregnant and I really want it!

Just I am so happy that the steroids are giving you some relief, I hope it stays up and you get back to eating all the food you've been missing out on all these weeks/months you poor thing!

Shehz Nah my scan is not for another month or so, ages! I am trying to get through the pregnancy by thinking of each new point if you get me and counting down to that rather than the end as that's too far away to feel like I can get there. So next thing is my 16 week appt with midwife although that's technically supposed to be this week coming and no sign of an appt yet , and then after that just focus on getting through the month til the scan, and so on. I find that helps me tackle it in little bits or I get overwhelmed and think I just can't go on like this til June even though I am feeling so much better compared to a few weeks ago I am still like mildly nauseous constantly and have the odd vomit and unable to eat properly - whoever said they love food and miss it, OMG me too, I'm a proper foodie and it's so depressing not being able to eat properly!!

You know that horrible mouth taste, and the aversion to foods, does that go after birth? I have this horrible fear that all the food I can't eat now I'll never be able to eat again, please tell me that's not the case!!

For lollies I ate a lot of Roundtree's fruit pastel lollies in first trimester when I could barely stomach anything.

Mustang and Twinkle You are goddesses managing with a little one too!

Mustang I honestly can't tell you how much better I feel. I feel like me again! I went out to eat brunch today and am planning to cook dinner, both of which have been unthinkable since June
Baby room totally ludicrous as we are trying to sell the house so hopefully baby won't ever go in it .

Elephant we were going to wait until about now to buy anything (30 weeks) but I actually started buying the few bits we needed on Black Friday as the prices were good and I knew what I wanted. We got given loads of stuff around that time so made sense just to do it. I still haven't bought any clothes at all but have been given loads of second hand/gifts so I might not bother!

Meadow I counted down (and still do) to the next thing - scan/midwife app rather than the end which seemed so far away, still does. I'm currently counting down to next scan at 36 weeks then I'll commit to counting down to the end.

Nesting over drive here. Nursery sorted and started washing clothes! Making the most of not being/feeling sick! Especially as it may not last!

Hope everyone is coping today.

I’m having a really bad day after getting worse and worse for a few days. My DH is worrying and pestering me to eat so I tried to explain to him that I can’t throw up twice in 20 minutes and then just eat my lunch. Now dreading tea time. My throat is on fire and my tummy aches. I feel really weak and dizzy but my mouth isn’t too dry so I must be keeping some fluids in even though it doesn’t feel like it. I feel really down about being pregnant but I’m not supposed to say that, am I?

Noroom poor you. Try ice lollies? On bad days I find I just have to go back to basics. Nibbles of safe foods and lollies.
I think that's perfectly understandable, I seriously considered terminating my (ivf 4 years ttc) pregnancy and I can hand on heart say that up until yesterday I have HATED being pregnant. We don't have to love it to love the end result. Means to an end.

Oh gosh noroom please don't feel bad for saying that. I'm sure everyone suffering has felt like that at some point (if not all the time!) Please do take care and try and skip drinks to keep fluids down. If you feel worse amd aren't keeping anything down make sure you check your ketones for dehydration. Are you on medication?

justtheone enjoy the nesting. Counting down until next event sounds very sensible and makes it more bearable if only a few weeks to go each time!

meadowhey smoked salmon is one of my favourites but couldn't cope with it during hypermesis. So funny the things the body craves

I am on meds but I’m vomiting everything. Rang 111 to see a GP, got an appointment but then there was no GP so I’ve been told to go to A&E. Really don’t want to go.

NoRoom Oh no! HG is horrible and I've never felt so down physically and mentally in my life. Do you have the antenatal ward's number? Mine is in my maternity notes. The 1st time I was admitted I had to go through A&E but the few times after that either GP or me called the ward and I went straight there.

Still nauseous 24/7 and have been eating a bit less than before but Ondansetron is keeping me from being physically sick.