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Pregnancy

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

Hyperemesis Support

989 replies

LucindaE · 14/08/2021 09:39

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/topics/nausea-vomiting-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.

Hyperemesis Support
Hyperemesis Support
OP posts:
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kalidasa · 27/10/2021 19:14

Oh yes in that case @HerbivorousRex I'd be surprised if they aren't well down by tomorrow morning. I got stuck in semi-perpetual ketosis for weeks in hosp, especially with DS2, because I just couldn't eat and was still vomiting what I did try to eat despite the drugs. Was really ghastly but mercifully I think pretty rare even on these threads! Glad you are feeling better, hopefully that was the last gasp of HG for you. How far along are you?

HerbivorousRex · 27/10/2021 19:29

@kalidasa I’m 9 weeks, so still a little way to go. I keep thinking I’m getting a tiny bit better then missing a dose of medication (because I’ve vomited after taking it) and then not being able to eat or drink anything at all for days.
I think because I was having some ‘good’ days I hadn’t really realized how ill I was getting (even after I fainted in A&E I was cheerfully reassuring DH that I’d had some juice the day before so I wouldn’t have ketones in my urine and they’d probably just send me home after giving me an IV antiemetic- I was obviously wrong 🤦🏻)
Your pregnancies sound really tough- I honestly don’t know how you coped!

LucindaE · 27/10/2021 19:34

pregnancydiaries Welcome. I am glad you got prompt and excellent advice, and that you have certainly been admitted by now. As kalidasa and Derbee and others say, Cyclizine has been used for decades for pregnancy sickness.Everyone is very supportive on here. Most sufferers find that they improve a lot at some point between weeks 14 and 20, or sometimes later. Even those who are unlucky enough to suffer throughout generally are not as ill later on as they are in the first part. A good anti acid can make a surprising difference to the sickness. Kesostix are worth buying online or from a chemists, as while they aren't they best test of dehydration, hospitals take them seriously. When reporting on the vomiting to doctors, remember to emphasize the number of heaves in each vomiting session, as doctors tend to count these as 'vomits' and this can lead to their underestimating the severity of your symptoms. Besides drinking through a straw, here are some drinks that have helped others: full sugar flat coke (if you don't find it too acid), ice lollies, the juice of tinned fruit, Lucozade, apple juice, Ribina, Dr Pepper, soda water, Elderflower water, tonic water, ice cubes, Iron Bru, lemonade, lemon squash, orange squash, orange juice (if not too acid), fizzy orange, 7Up, isotonic drinks, sips of chocolate milkshake (maybe soya), fizzy water, apple juice, Robinson's fruit drinks, Rubicon sparkling mango drink , raspberry Lucozade sport and frozen ice cubes of flat Lucozade sport. Also, pink lemonade and cloudy lemonade. Foods of a sort include tinned fruit, cuppa soup, nibbles of crisps and chips, cheap ice cream, Scotch pancakes, bagels and biscuits, potato smileys, slices of melon and mango. Protein drinks have also been mentioned.
HerbiverousRex Welcome. I am glad you are feeling a bit better. Off the top of my head, if you are not vomiting and able to eat a bit and getting fluids, I would have thought the ketones should drop quite quickly. I am sure sufferers who have recently been admitted will be able to advise better.

kalidasa Sorry to hear of that result. That is stressful. I was given a risk factor of 1 in 33 and it was dismal waiting for the results, even though that is only a low figure in 100 when you think of it. I am glad they are offering a test quickly. Great advice as ever. You and Derbee are so right about how confused one becomes when dehydrated.

Melleebacca To go through a birth with a presenting position like that on only gas and air was brave!
Waves to AnyaC84 to Pleasedon'tworry
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

OP posts:
kalidasa · 27/10/2021 20:03

@HerbivorousRex 9 weeks is the absolute worst in my experience. Hopefully this the bottom for you! Btw, if I vomit within 10 mins of taking a pill I always just take another one. That's what my dad (retired doctor) told me to do years ago!

pregnancydiaries · 27/10/2021 20:51

@kalidasa @Derbee @Pleasedontworry just home now after a few hours on fluids and anti emetics via drip. Been given oral stemitil to try but the doctor confirmed HG and advised that I’m likely just at the start of what might be a bumpy road with lots of hospital visits. Really hoping all goes ok at scan tomorrow and then hopefully that will take some of my anxiety away as don’t think that is helping. Haven’t made it past this stage in my previous two pregnancies so fingers crossed. Thanks all so much for your support and looks like this thread is going to be my new best friend now.

Xxxx

pregnancydiaries · 27/10/2021 20:53

@kalidasa just saw your comment from earlier today before mine - all the best for tomorrow, keep strong xx

pregnancydiaries · 27/10/2021 21:06

@LucindaE thank you so so much, home now after fluids and anti emetics but warned it’s probably the beginning of a long journey for me. So glad to have this thread you are all amazing and thank you so much for all the information I’m going to analyse it in detail now and give some of the recommendations try xxx

theconfused · 27/10/2021 21:33

@pregnancydiaries wishing you all the very best! Honestly this thread is so helpful when it comes to HG and it's troubles!

theconfused · 27/10/2021 21:37

Hello!!

Has anyone got any experience of putting in a request to work from home (either full time or part of the week)?

I'm really struggling with long days at work and I feel a relapse coming on soon. There's also so many visits I can make to the toilets without feeling like I'm ready to collapse!

Especially with COVID cases rising fast and so many staff are off, I'm really worried I have asthma but mild so not entirely vulnerable either, already got a teacher off with COVID who's pregnant as well so it's adding to the anxiety..

Heard of flexible working requests today but not sure how likely they are to be accepted or if I'm even someone with a genuine reason?

Melleebacca · 28/10/2021 00:24

@theconfused I’m in NZ, so the situation is a little different. With my first, I was signed off for 4 months of which I attempted to work from home, but there was some concerns about internet security. I then returned to work only in a part time capacity until I went on maternity leave. Fortunately my job then was in a factory, so was quite hazardous, and I worked closely with the health and safety team to manage. Now I work in a school, and have been signed off by my doctor to only work 2hours a day, which I will continue to do until I get some relief around 20wks.
In my experience, doctors and employers have treated my HG as a chronic illness and supported me throughout it. My husband runs a company, and his view is that it is easier to hold on to current staff, so he works to be flexible with them rather than losing key staff.
Depending on the size of the company, I would recommend talking to HR or Health and Safety about what support you may need.

FateHasRedesignedMost · 28/10/2021 08:04

@pregnancydiaries How are you feeling? Cyclizine is a very safe, widely used medication. Great advice from Lucinda as always.

@HerbivorousRex hi and welcome to the group, hope your BP etc stabilises soon and you can get home.

@kalidasa Sorry you’re in limbo waiting for the result, but as you say it’s probably high HCG etc that’s pushed it up. Good luck for the CVS, thinking of you.

@Melleebacca thanks for explaining the difference, I was getting so muddled up! The fog is lifting a bit, I managed to take my son to the barber’s yesterday (dosed up to the max!) it was nice to be out in the cool air. When we got home he took his hoody off and his tooth came out (wobbly front one) he panicked at the blood so now my favourite white hand towel looks like a vampire chewed on it 🤦🏻‍♀️

@AnyaC84 how are you feeling?

FateHasRedesignedMost · 28/10/2021 08:08

@theconfused can you get signed off sick from work? I’ve been off since July (had minor surgery, then a post op infection, then discovered I was pregnant and HG kicked in before I had a chance to go back!) Work are understanding luckily (they were getting frustrated until I got pregnant but their hands are tied with pregnancy as pregnancy related sickness is considered separate and can’t trigger any formal proceedings). I just send in a sick note from the GP each month.

Rest is so important with HG, take care of yourself!

keepingfaithandhope · 28/10/2021 08:50

Hi ladies .
I've been a silent (almost hourly) follower of this thread to cope with the monster that is hyperemesis! All the tips and experiences of you all helped me cope through and Lucinda's spiel when I discovered my daughter's strawberry toothpaste was a life saver on those heavy vomiting days to at least get my teeth brushed, confirmed I was in the right space :D

I had HG with my first pregnancy until 13 weeks. Fear of HG made me wait 4+ years to even think of TTC again. Finally I gathered the courage last year and ttc, fell pregnant and HG commenced at week 5 bang on. My HG is bad , like I can't move out of bed, fatigue is the worst element of my HG, then nausea, acid reflux and vomiting in that order. I was placed on cyclizine, omeprazole, metoclopramide, etc. Because it was covid peak I refused to go in for hydration. After going through all this, I came out of it at 16 weeks and then the worst experience of my life happened at 18 weeks. I went to pee and noticed a different type of discharge, called the hospital they told me to come in the next day. I got there, they examine me and the next word I hear is "your baby is coming"... I was shattered beyond words...After a long journey of me trying to save my precious baby including surgery, I had her at 21 weeks. She was oh so beautiful and precious and I can never forget her.

Because of HG I planned to stop at my 2nd so imagine the heartbreak, I cried both for suffering terrible HG for nothing only to lose my precious baby with whom I had bonded and looked forward to meeting!

I decided to bite the bullet and try to give my daughter a sibling one last time and fell pregnant this year which is when I found this group when I was down in the dumps with HG. I couldn't even type. Plus the double whammy of being suspected to have "incompetent cervix" (never heard of it prior) so I thought what's the point when I may lose this one after all? To cut a long story short HG lasted this time till 19 weeks, with brutal fatigue I didn't leave my bed for at least 8 weeks, vomiting 7x plus a day esp at midnight and debilitating nausea. I went in for the cerclage surgery at 14 weeks praying it worked this time to save my baby. The vomiting and nausea continued to 18 weeks. And food aversion till 21 weeks.

Finally I have hit 31 and I'm a bit relieved and thankful. Everyday the fear is there but it's subsided , just praying I hold my baby after so much suffering . Thanks Lucinda, abbs, thingymaboob, theconfused, so many names to call, so it's all of you really, for helping sufferers like us. I'm sure I'm not the only passionate silent follower. You help many of us cope through difficult days . X

abbs1 · 28/10/2021 10:18

@keepingfaithandhope oh OP I cant even begin to imagine the pain of losing your daughter after suffering HG again. Im so sorry youve gone through this. Sending the biggest hugs. You are so strong for trying again. Im so thankful everything is going ok this time for you apart from HG returning again esp with all the anxiety and fear you must be feeling. I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly and youll have your little miracle in your arms soon. Sending 🙏 and 🤗

pregnancydiaries · 28/10/2021 13:26

@keepingfaithandhope all my love and wishes to you for the remainder of this pregnancy, and so sorry for your previous struggles, your daughter is going to love being a big sister 💖 it will all be worth it xxx

Ladies I have just had my scan and for the first time we have a heartbeat (measuring 6+2), this is the furthest we have made it this year so over the moon.

I’ve been given stemitil now to try instead of cyclizine so will see how that goes. BUT I have a very stupid question....bare with me my paranoia is through the roof.

During the first few weeks I was being overly cautious and only drinking water/sparkling water, however since the HG started have found sprite to be about the only thing I can keep down...am I safe to drink this...all day?xxx

Pleasedontworry · 28/10/2021 13:49

@pregnancydiaries - all I can drink is 7Up so very similar, my midwife knows and the consensus seems to be don’t worry, it’s better to be hydrated. I think a lot of us can only hit the flavoured fizzy stuff.

kalidasa · 28/10/2021 14:22

@pregnancydiaries def do not worry about the 7Up! I think it is really common. I know one woman who could only drink Coke which is much worse -- so acidic!! (DH's granny used to buy it purely for cleaning her oven with!) I think fizzy drinks are a really efficient way of getting some sugar and often salt as well in and a lot of women find the fizziness soothing. I really wouldn't worry about it at all.

@keepingfaithandhope you are so brave to have gone again after such a nightmarish experience. My SiL had to have the clercage thing in her pregnancies and her babies were fine. And you've made it to 31 weeks already which is fantastic!

I had the CVS this morning and it was really horrible to be honest, i cried all the way through and I feel quite traumatised. (But other people I spoke to about said they found it fine so don't let this scare you if you have to have it!) DH was v grateful I agreed though, he is much more worried about a possible genetic issue. He wasn't allowed to be with me for the procedure itself but they went to get him when I was in the recovery area. My main fear is miscarrying after the procedure and blaming myself for agreeing to it, but hopefully all will be ok. I have to be on bed rest for 48 hours now which is a bit annoying when I was just starting to feel a bit better and able to be up a bit. But it's not for long. At least it is over.

Hope everyone else is surviving.

pregnancydiaries · 28/10/2021 14:25

@kalidasa STAY IN THAT BED!!!! It will be so so worth it once that 48 hours has passed, and hopefully bed might even be a bit more relaxing now that you are starting to feel a little bit better? Sorry your experience was so traumatic but it’s for the best. All my fingers and toes crossed for you that all goes ok.

Back to the lemonade I go!!!xxx

Pleasedontworry · 28/10/2021 14:34

@kalidasa when you’ve been in bed before you’ve likely been too ill to enjoy rest, so I recommend some excellent and enjoyable rubbish TV. I’ll be thinking of you, and I’m sure things will be fine (notwithstanding the emotional trauma of having gone through it). Much love!

AnyaC84 · 28/10/2021 15:17

@keepingfaithandhope I am so sorry you had this awful experience. It is so unfair to go through HG only to lose your daughter. I am in awe of you for trying again. Sending you hugs!

@kalidasa you did it! It's over now stay in that bed!! Rest up and try to enjoy it. Let us know how everything goes please!

@FateHasRedesignedMost I'm okay. Hanging in here. Still sick and nauseous. I got an appointment booked with naturopath to get some vitamins through IV. I am really hopeful she will have some ideas on how to help me

Derbee · 28/10/2021 15:23

@keepingfaithandhope your post made my cry. You are so incredibly brave to get pregnant again, with HG, never mind your traumatic loss of your precious daughter. Well done for getting to 31 weeks, and I hope everything goes smoothly for you.

@kalidasa agree with everyone else, stay in bed! I hope you’re feeling ok, and I’m sorry you had such a horrible experience.

I posted a couple of days ago saying the fog was lifting, and I think I jinxed myself. I spent yesterday vomiting all day, whenever I ate or drank anything, or even moved my head too fast. Today has been better, but with the better days thrown in, I’m almost finding the unpredictability worse than knowing how I’ll feel everyday, even if it’s bad. I know that’s silly, and I should be grateful for any good days rather than focusing on the unpredictable nature of it all. 18w5d so I’m just focusing on my 20 week scan next Friday, and muddling through.

I am so grateful for this thread. Hope everyone else is ok.

theconfused · 28/10/2021 16:28

@FateHasRedesignedMost

Hey! Yes I've been signed off for the last month or so. Just worried about SSP since I'll just get £96 a week if I'm off longer which isn't enough but if it comes to that I guess I'll just have to be signed off🤯

Melleebacca · 28/10/2021 18:15

@keepingfaithandhope I’m so sorry. Your story is heart wrenching. I too am pregnant with a rainbow baby (son lost at 17w), and it is so hard. You’re doing amazing, and we are here for you.

@kalidasa I’m so sorry to hear the cvs was traumatic. Please rest. Were you feeling movements? Hopefully you will feel some to reassure you. Will keep thinking of you.

@theconfused I get that. I need to work 26wks at full pay to get maternity pay. Which is a little tough with the summer break coming here and my tendency to birth at 39wks. I hope it works out.

I managed to keep the majority of my food in yesterday, which is amazing. I did have a very quiet day at work, and my husband has gotten me plain bagels, which are just wonderful. I have hurt my teeth from clenching them shut as to not vomit. I also have changed from 2x 4mg ondansetron tabs to 1 x 8mg dissolvable ones, which so far I am finding my effective. Fingers crossed I can keep the vomiting to once a day as 4 - 5 times is very hard.

Waves to everyone else.

LucindaE · 28/10/2021 19:49

keepingfaithandhope I am so sorry for your tragic loss of your daughter at 21 weeks. Very brave of you to have endured it again. I am so glad that you are at 31 weeks now and that this thread has helped.
Star Smile
kalidasa I am sorry that the CYS was traumatic. As others say, stay in bed and concentrate on light entertainment. The statistics are all on your side! Star
pregnnacydiaries Sprite sounds like an excellent idea; I'll add it to my list of recommended drinks . As kalidasa says, a lot on here can only stand coke. With me it was Lucoazade. It may not be ideal - what part of the Hyperemesis diet is - but is infinitely safer than beng dehydrated.
FateHasRedesignedMost Ha, Ha, about 'chewed by a vampire'!
pregnancydiaries I am so glad you are home. I hope the Stemitil helps. If not, don't hesitate to ask for something stronger.
theconfused If you have Hyperemesis, as others say, besides having a serious illness you have one that gives you legally protected status, and definitely ask to be able to work at home, particularly if there's Covid about. As others say, do ask your union or HR department.
Pleasedon'tworry I second the 7Up too!
Mellebacca Congratulations on the bagels.
AnyaC84 Congratulations on good day and exciting that your 20 week scan is approaching. I am so glad this thead has been useful.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

OP posts:
kalidasa · 28/10/2021 19:51

Thanks everyone. Yes @Melleebacca I have felt all my babies from very early, about 11 weeks. So I've been feeling this one for a week or so. It is reassuring yes. For a cvs they don't put the needle into the main part of the womb at all, they come at the placenta from behind if you see what I mean. It was still the most horrible feeling though, felt so wrong. But at least it's over.