Am I being a martyr?

[Yebbie]

Had hg in previous pregnancy, very unwell, heavily relied on cyclizine and still ended up in hospital repeatedly etc

This time around I'm definitely not as bad and I'm only being sick a couple of times a day but the nausea is constant and I only feel ok when I'm lying down quite still. I almost feel like I have vertigo when I stand up

I got prescriped cyclizine again from the off, just in case it kicked off over Christmas and gp was shut but was only going to take it when/if I get really bad. I'm off work with it, and dh has taken time off to look after toddler as I'm really struggling

But I'm nowhere near as bad as last time, I guess the difference is I have a toddler this time. Dh keeps saying to take the medicine, it made me able to go to work and function last time and said I'm being a martyr refusing to take it and just suffering instead. I just don't want to take something that isn't actually licensed for pregnancy just because I can't handle a bit of nausea?

Take the medicine.
It's not fair on your husband, child or husbands employer for them all to be impacted by something with a simple solution.

This is not just affecting you, so I think you should seriously consider taking the tablets so you can function.

Take them
It will be a relief!

Why wouldn’t you take it?

How long can you husband take off work because you can’t function when you could be able to?

Three hg pregnancies, I asked for stronger ones just so I could get out of bed.
Take the tablets.

You're not being a martyr, that suggests you're doing it for some greater good. You're being silly. Take the medication.

Fair enough, I don't know why but being so much better than last time it didn't seem right to take any risks taking medication but you're right I'm not coping so I obviously need it

Martyrdom would be if you were inconveniencing yourself - this is making life difficult for everyone else in your family.

@girlmom21

Take the medicine. It's not fair on your husband, child or husbands employer for them all to be impacted by something with a simple solution.

I disagree. This is a ridiculous reply. The OP should take unlicensed medicine so as not to inconvenience her HUSBAND’S EMPLOYER? OP, I completely understand where you’re coming from thought wise, as I’ve suffered myself in the same way. Your husband and others need to rise up to support you, and not expect you to take medicine if you don’t feel completely comfortable with it.

@Lagirl20 she took it in her first pregnancy.

Her husbands employer will be an issue if he loses his job while they're expecting a baby.

If she couldn't look after the toddler that's one thing. If there's medication available it's reasonable to try that.

@Lagirl20 it's unrealistic for her DH to take how many weeks off work for something that may be fixed by taking medication! Some people have HG throughout the whole pregnancy, it's not something that usually lasts a couple of weeks.

I'm uncomfortable telling people they should take medication - it's your body - but I can see why you're DH might be annoyed that you're choosing not to take a medication, that you've taken before (presumably with no ill effects) that would enable you to continue supporting your family. I don't understand why you'd choose to feel so poorly that you're unable to look after your child as before. It is absolutely your choice to make, but you can't be surprised if your partner doesn't like or understand it.

I guess I'm just worried as baby was fine last time but it isn't licensed for pregnancy, no medicine is and as I'm so early (8 weeks) I'm scared of doing anything to rock the boat and miscarry. I guess I thought better to suffer than take any risks, with the hg I was hospitalised so I needed it, this time I'm just feeling lousy and bed bound but it's not urgent per se. I was hoping to cope until atleast 12 weeks

A lot of medicine isn’t licensed (or is even officially advised against without consultation) only because it would be unethical to do the required studies on pregnant women. But the medical world is very risk averse to pregnancy (hello “no alcohol if trying to conceive” guidance) so my view is that if doctors are comfortable with you taking something then that will be informed by an instinctively cautious position and observed real world effects.

I'm not sure you're being a martyr but you are unnecessary making life more difficult and unpleasant for you and your family. Cyclizine is clearly safe in pregnancy - there are so many studies to back this up (references on PSS website).

www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk/get-help/treatments/

I have taken cyclizine, ondansetron, stemetil and metoclopramide through both pregnancies.

If you’re bed bound and feeling constantly nauseous then it’s obviously affecting your quality of life - I’d seriously consider taking the medication if I were in your shoes, but as a PP mentioned, it’s your body and your rules!

I felt the same as you from around 6 weeks until I sought medical treatment at 24 weeks - I wish I’d asked for help sooner!

I hope you make the right decision for yourself OP and good luck with your pregnancy.