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.
It has been suggested that I add some practical tooth cleaning advice: a lot of sufferers find using a child's small toothbrush and strawberry toothpaste far less nauseating.
On my image of a pink castle: that is an image I use because when I was little, my family had a Snakes and Ladders board with an image on the last square of a pink castle in the clouds. As Hyperemesis is so like a grotesque version of Snakes and Ladders - eat a meal, go up a ladder, first thing in the morning bile run, down a snake - I have used the image of that pink castle on the last square of that Snakes and Ladders board as a metaphor for the happy end of Hyperemesis.
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.

Hobbling with one of my tiresome migraines to congratulate Pasqual. Lovely news I am so pleased for you. I have updated the Due Dates list. Waves to all. I'll be back when my head is working properly.
Due Dates
BeautyandtheBump 30 May
kissingthebear 8 June
StayClosePooky 20 June
justtheonethen 18 July
Ummasomebody 20 July TWINS!
areallthenamestaken 24 July
boulevardofbrokendreams 2 August
Calliope87 20 August
sickandtiredofsick 29 August
Connie222 3 September
ConstantlyPanicking 17th September
Lemondrop99 6 November
Nifler2019 13 November
IAmSeriousAndDon'tCallMeShirely 22 Nov
FilthyforFirth 26 November
SnowWhite2020 26 November
IGottaGetThroughThis 6 December
Pygmyseahorse 18 December

BeautyandtheBump Sorry to seem to rub it in! I hope baby is on the way even as I type...

Another migraine @LucindaE how tiresome. I hope you can rest in a cool dark room until it passes. I have heard ice/ cold gel pads are very helpful and when I had my last migraine I meant to order one. Perhaps something like this? Maybe you already use something similar. I hope it passes xx

nuovahealth.co.uk/product/reusable-hot-and-cold-gel-ice-pack-for-sports-injuries/?dTribesID=8e3df92fe561ce5b9346c6d017e3cae1%7Cadtribes%7C11717&utm_source=Google%20Shopping&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=11717&gclid=CjwKCAjw2uf2BRBpEiwA31VZj__pVl2jgGvj54px7YVfwLpYsxfIsbCyQ_QbgGXpZR3nGuFjR7uixxoCNDcQAvD_BwE

@KatieFTM ooh we are, that's so lovely isn't it and will be so exciting when the babies arrive.

@Clarkel1 I'm sorry I don't know about that but I'd be surprised unless you were having a section or induced for other reasons but worth asking your midwife. Mines really good and texts back if I need to ask anything. If you haven't had your booking appointment then I'd ask then or just at your next routine appointment probably around 16 weeks. Congratulations :)

@Sniwwhite2020 thank you as always for your words :) how are you doing today?
I'm sure you are right about stress and even just the thought of not having anything left to 'do' will help mentally I think so fingers crossed my weekend isnt too bad, I tend to be super sick at weekends which is weird.
Also I can relate in a way, my scan because of the nt thickness doesn't look like other scans and it's just so obvious so it dies feel odd but I'm sure it is like you said, the growth in a short time
Hope you have had a good day and keeping as well as you can

@LucindaE oh poor you, migraines are crippling. Really hope you get some rest and it eases soon. Sending love

Well... Sickness is still way worse since Wednesday, kept a little dinner down today but not great overall. The tiredness and dizzy spells are hard too but we had a lovely evening telling our parents tonight and they were all so happy so that was nice.
May have started on my lists on what we are thinking of getting and some names.. Its early but I find when so sick and miserable anything at all to try to 'enjoy' the pregnancy is good

Hope I've replied to everyone but sorry if I haven't!
Sending love

@Pygmyseahorse sorry to hear you are worrying about the NT from the scan. How long ago was your 12 week scan? I was told that the hospital would phone in under a week if the blood results showed anything which needed further investigation. I would take heart from the fact you have not had a call and anything below 3 is considered normal by the NHS so you’re still well within the normal range 💖 If you really wanted more investigation there is something called the harmony test which is a blood test which can tel you much more but I think you have to pay for that.. I know it is difficult. I felt so much better when the results were in and this part of the pregnancy testing was over. Love to you 💖

@Snowwhite2020 thank you for your lovely message. It was on Wednesday when I was 11w5
So it's been only a day and a half/2 really since bloods were taken and even if its not low risk that's OK,we will take it in our stride.

I don't think it's worry that something is wrong... It's more how I feel ashamed that I don't want to share the scan or hold it against dds or send copies to parents because it's so obvious if that makes sense?

She spent about 15 minutes just measuring and rechecking, 2.7 was the lowest measurement and like you say, it is within 3 which is in the boundaries, even though higher end.. and I'm only 29 so probably OK but it's just niggling.
My mum commented when we showed the scan how it didn't look like a scan she's seen before which upset me a little

My pregnancy notes are online and my midwife is pretty behind adding results or notes and some are incorrect so I think that fuelled it a bit... And you know, good old hormones!

It's funny how I had forgotten aspects I struggled with with pregnancy! The constant worry, HG to the extent it was/is, seizures etc.

Sorry for long ramble. Having a bad day :(

@Pygmyseahorse I am sorry you are feeling this way and that your mum made a comment which upset you. Of course you feel sensitive about the scan- our babies are precious and are perfect to us regardless of whatever happens and we just want others (especially our family) to share that feeling. I am sure she does and will, it’s just a difficult tense moment for you right now regarding the results. As @LucindaE always says- this (moment) too shall pass.

I totally understand about frustrations with the pregnancy care services at the moment. I think things are patchy due to covid and some areas are better than others. This is my first baby so I don’t know any better but I have felt very left alone in the pregnancy in terms of support and partners not being allowed in to anything is not great either.

Guess we just have to push forward. No control over any of it. Love to you 💖

@Snowwhite2020 thank you always so supportive and made me feel less silly. I really appreciate it

Sorry you are finding it to not be very supportive and alone, I can't imagine how hard a first pregnancy during this time is for you and others. My heart goes out to you.
All I can say is hopefully there will be some brighter days and better support for the rest if the pregnancy.
Have you told many people yet who you can talk to?
Sending love

Yes it’s definitely easier now the “news is out” I’ve told all friends and family and my work and definitely feel well supported. Though the best support for the HG has come only from my mum and the lovely ladies on this forum! Not something which everyone can understand or appreciate it seems so I tend not to talk about it to others too much and if I do I try not to take their (often fairly dismissive) comments seriously. I honestly think it’s just something you don’t get unless you’ve spent months at a time throwing up... we all know! 💖

SnowWhite2020 Thank you so much for your lovely supportive comments for both Pygmyseahorse and myself. I will definitely try those.
Pygmyseahorse I am so sorry about your anxieties and your mother being tactless. It is so long since I had my daughter that I don't think they had those measurements then, or I didn't know, but the bloods gave me a 1 in 33 risk of Downs, roughly the risk of a woman ten years older than my age, and it was a very anxious time, and I do sympathise.

Clarkel1 I do hope they can give you the information you want.

@LucindaE thank you, if I'm honest I don't have concerns over down syndrome, ive not parented a child but nannied and cared for some babies and children whilst working in childcare and I know that it wouldn't impact our love for our baby in anyway but I am concerned over Edwards and patau as they are fatal as I already love this baby so much I can't imagine being in that position.
I'm sure it will be fine, like I said it's niggles and it's just how I feel about our scan photo. Which makes me feel ashamed :(

How are you doing today? Has your migraine eased?

@Snowwhite2020 how are you feeling today?
I'm so sorry and I completely understand what you mean about how others just don't understand or get it! It's so great your mum is supportive and I feel the same support from this forum, which I'm so grateful for
We understand at least :)

Hope everyone is well as can be

I wondered actually, can anyone share advice as to not throwing up when brushing teeth or trying to quelch desperate thirst but being unable to drink a glass of water at a time?
Really finding these 2 things hard lately!

Thank you ladies :)

Pygmyseahorse It is really good you are open to having a Downs baby. It is a horrible thing dreading the fatal iilnesses. The chances are greatly on your side all will be well.
I'm fine today, thank you. On tooth cleaning: a small toothbrush, and kids' strawberry toothpaste seem to help. I used to rinse out my mouth with a bicarbonate of soda and water mix when desperate, but probably that's not recommended because of the salt content. I think the ice cubes and ice lollies and tiny sips every couple of minutes and drinking slowly through a straw are all that I can think of about getting water down, which don''t work for everyone.

@LucindaE thank you so much for your help and I'm pleased to hear you are feeling better

Will give it a try! Dd has a strawberry toothpaste but the smell of synthetic strawberry turns my insides! Ill give it a try tonight for sure.
I'm slowly supping water and can keep down small sips but just feel dehydrated and any time I take half a cup of water I am instantly sick. Will keep sipping and try ice cubes again maybe they will work better now :) thank you

Hi ladies. How are you all doing? How are you managing to stay busy and distracted during the lockdown? X

Pygmyseahorse I do hope the strawberry toothpaste was bearable. I remember someone used a pink mouthwash of the non mint sort some dentists use.
Seeker2020 I hope you aren't suffering too badly?
It was a good deal less hot for a while; now it seems it is going to be hot again...

Hi everyone hope you're all holding up ok.

A friend of mine told me about this thread when she was pregnant and I discovered this morning that I am expecting baby number 4. It's a bit of a shock still and I don't think I have processed it at all yet. With my other three I have had HG, it has been worse each time, and normally lasts all the way through. I am currently dreading it!

It's early days yet, around 5 weeks and getting some nausea waves so we'll see how we go. Will give dr a call in the morning.

Am looking forward to having some people to share with who understand what it is like

@Hearwegoagainx4 congratulations and welcome! This thread has been a life saver for me as I have gone on this journey with sickness and my first baby... I would also feel very nervous if I was to become pregnant again in the future as I am only now emerging from a hellish 3 months of more or less day and night sickness. At 15 and a bit weeks I am finally feeling brighter and able to eat a bit more normally (though still tonnes of aversions) and don’t have the constant spitting which was just horrific and plagued me any time I wasn’t actually throwing up. Anyway- here’s hoping it doesn’t happen for you on the fourth baby!

@Pygmyseahorse not too bad today. Still taking my medication and have wretched a fair few times but no sickness today........... here’s hoping It’s on the wind down! How’re you? Xx

@Seeker2020 hello! I am still working full time so that is keeping me pretty well distracted. That and the constant sickness/ food aversion patrol in an attempt to stay well lol. How’re you finding it?

@Seeker2020 how are you doing today? My studies and toddler have kept me busy so far but other than that I'm just so exhausted and being sick and wretching all day just means I can't do a lot even if I want to go for a walk or start a hobby. I'm going to start planning and sorting the house out now and hoping if the sickness eases that I'll feel like doing hobbies and able to bake or cook with dd and go for walks. How about you?

@LucindaE thank you, it helped for the initial brush but not much use after that. Ill nip out to find a few different ones tomorrow and see if that helps. Obviously can't go to the dentist at the moment but I had pregnancy gingivitis last time so concerned about that again especially struggling so much to brush properly

@Snowwhite2020 yay that's excellent!! I know the wretching is awful but at least it's less sickness than before, I really hope this is you feeling better long term now you really deserve it!

@herewegoagainx4 welcome and congratulations :) this thread has really helped me this pregnancy. I had HG with dd through til giving birth and it really put me off a 2nd til we just bit the bullet. This time it's started earlier and has been just as bad sadly but hopefully you may get lucky this time!
How are you feeling today? Its really hard to manage with children and I only have 1 so I really feel for you!

Sending love to all

@Pygmyseahorse could flossing work? Not sure if you could floss instead of brushing almost!

I'm the same with brushing teeth @pygmyseahorse. I try to concentrate on not retching to try and get through. Mouthwash has been my turn to when I really can't face the brush - tongue combination.

@Snowwhite2020 - I'm struggling a bit. I've been off work for 2 weeks, so maybe I'm just bored, but have been getting a little despondent. Trying to remind myself that each week that passes is a another week closer. Sickness is becoming less (I hope), but I've been having some really awful nights with bile and acid throw up. Its painful and takes a bit of time to settle down from before sleeping.

And that's the other thing- I wondered if I could ask about experiences - my sleep is so broken. Not for any specific reason like loo visits, but more because I can feel the hormones racing and I get these judders to wake up. I also wake up with a racing heart and feeling really unsettled. Anyone else?

@Seeker2020 your night experience is horrible familiar to me. I didn’t sleep through the night until about 14/15 weeks- it is very recent for me to be getting a full night sleep. I too just felt awful through the night and would wake up to be sick. I’m really not sure what to suggest... not much helped me. Are you on medication? That’s the best thing to try and get the sickness under control and also I found sleeping propped up on pillows so I was semi sitting up helped. Not comfortable but it seemed to stop the acid reflux so much and helped me to feel slightly less sick. I’m really sorry- it’s just the worst.

Thanks for the welcome @Snowwhite2020 and @Pygmyseahorse. @snow I'm so glad you are beginning to see a bit of a reprieve, I hope it continues! Be careful not to overdo it tho, I have often made that mistake

I am definitely feeling a lot more sick this morning. Can't get through to the Drs tho, been trying all morning oh well.

Pygmyseahorse how old is your DD? It is really tough with other little ones. Mine are 6, 2 and just turned 1. The 2 yr old doesn't remember, but my eldest does. She will likely ask if I am pregnant once the sickness starts up and we will have to tell her. We thankfully have a garden so will plan to let them run ferral outside and hope the neighbours are gracious. And then also use the telly

With teeth brushing, I have found Lidl's 0-5 toothpaste ok, it doesn't work every time but is milder mint and I can't stomach the strawberry ones

Hi @Snowwhite2020 - so sorry that you've been experiencing it like this. I'm on medication but it didn't help with the acidic throw up. Maybe I'll try eating something dry right before bed to see if that helps. I'm also going to try the propping pillows....just got to deal with the lower back pain that comes from lying on my back. We really do go through it as pregnant women.....

Hi ladies

Please forgive me for not replying to each like usual
I just got a call. High risk for down syndrome and going to hospital tomorrow for information about testing further etc

I knew it would happen... Mothers intuition I suppose but it's been a shock

I may not be replying over the next couple of days, or want to for support but I just wanted to update after messaging my concerns over the past few days.
As ever thank you @Snowwhite2020 and @LucindaE for your lovely messages over those days.

Sending love to all