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/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.

Hi everyone hope you're all ok - especially those struggling to get hold of medication!

I have a question for anyone who has been under perinatal mental health: does antenatal depression mean you're not "allowed" a home birth? I just got my perinatal appointment notes by post (it was over the phone) and there's a bit that I can't read in Risk Assessment and then next to it it says "Place of birth reviewed in line with Risk Assessment" and yes is circled.

I don't want to give birth in hospital unless I absolutely have to. I hate hate hated the post-natal ward and a lot of my anxiety is around going back there.

Anyone have any experience? I guess they can't force me into hospital but I don't want to have to fight for what I want. I actually feel a lot better in myself now so I don't want asking for help to be held against me 😩

@ohCARP it shouldn’t affect where you deliver. I had it with my second daughter and there was no talk about restricting where I delivered, but I did choose to deliver at the hospital because my eldest came out blue (cord around neck twice) and I wanted to be prepared. This time I’m planning to birth at the birthing center. If I’m still pregnant in 8 days and my iron levels are ok, it will all be a go!
Having some prodomal labour already at 36wks, although not enough to interrupt my sleeping - thank goodness - so it’s going to be a long month!

@Sicksmellymess @ChloeHel your medication drama sounds horrific! I do hope you both get the meds you need soon.

@Weathergirl1 i hope you’re getting on top of the constipation. I’ve been in a similar boat this week because my iron infusion meant I didn’t have to take oral iron, and my diet changed etc, and now everything is out of whack. Back on the oral iron on Monday, and back on my regimented poop inducing foods!

@PopGoesBang My great grandma was remarkable in many ways. She also spaced her children out really well in considering the era she lived in. 2 in her 20s, 2 in her 30s and 2 in her 40s. My grandma was number 4. I think numbers 1,3,4 and 5 are still alive now in their 80s & 90s.

@Melleebacca thank you! The glycerol worked, although it still wasn't pleasant 😬. At least now I'm not feeling sick I can actually stomach proper food that has fibre in it - went to get some Jerusalem artichokes for tea and they hadn't got any on the veg stall but they're getting some for me tomorrow. Hopefully the fartichokes will encourage a bit more movement 👍

I'm going to have to ask for more lactulose next week though as the bottle is starting to empty!

@Melleebacca ah thanks that's good to know. I'm 90% set on home birth because I had a straightforward delivery last time and if anything goes wrong it's a 10-15 minute transfer by ambulance to the hospital which feels like a safe amount of time. Obviously it depends on all sorts of things but I think I would be more relaxed at home. When I had my daughter I was basically strapped to the bed by the monitor they used to check on the baby so I didn't get to move around like I wanted and was basically stuck on my back until I bargained to be "allowed" to lie on my side 🙄 I don't want to be in a situation where I'm not listened to and have to push on my back again. I think all fours or standing would have been much easier. I was terrified last time and convinced I'd die but I feel better about it this time having done it before

Sicksmellymess and ChloeHel It's odd that they won't prescribe it at over 16 weeks, given that it was designed specifically for use in severe pregnancy sickness!
Melleebacca That's interesting about your great-grandmother. I am glad it is't too uncomfortable at night.
Weathergirl1 It's good you got some relief.
Waves to ohCARP, PopGoesBang and everyone. Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

@ohCARP I could never do a home birth, I prefer the separation between where I birth and where I live. I’m very excited about the birthing center though - they have a chef, and it’s across the road from many many food options (I’m just a foodie that has been starved by her body for months on end). Still a little nervous about not having the option of pain relief if I ask for it though - daughter #2 came out face up with no pain meds, so I should be ok. Although here in NZ, they’re very much the opposite in regards to birthing, most people are allowed to birth however they like. Baby’s heartbeat was checked intermittently, but even that was done in whatever position I was in at the time.

@Weathergirl1 glad things are moving for you. My nausea is always much worse when I’m constipated. It feels like things are backed up all the way to my throat.

Just a question for everyone? How did you feel after returning to work if you had to get time off?
I had 3 months off and only returned on temporary shifts on Wednesday until I start my proper shifts 11.30-20.15 on Sunday.

I cried so much last night, I’m on my last night of Xonvea, I’m feeling so so so tired when I’m getting home at 5 o’clock and feeling so sick again since working. I also find it’s stressing me out. I only returned because my pay got cut and I need the money but now I’m considering pulling my maternity leave forward putting all my holidays in working a around 25-30 days until my maternity starts.
I just can’t cope and I feel so overwhelmed like my body can’t deal with it all

@Melleebacca you can't have pain relief? 😬 is that because it's a birthing centre and not a hospital? I can have pain relief like pethidine and gas and air (ha) for a home birth. Plus I'll know my midwife (as long as she's on duty at the time). Last time it was 2 strangers although they were nice enough.

My fear is being made to stay for "observations" again and then being ignored completely all night until I was allowed home the next day. It was covid too so no visitors and saying goodbye to my husband was really sad ☹️.

I really wanted to go straight home because I have bad experiences at hospital, mainly of not being taken seriously. I have two well-managed chronic illnesses but getting a diagnosis took 12 consultants and years of appointments. I don't have much faith left!

@ohCARP I hope they let you have your home birth. I had an emergency section last time so I'll definitely be in hospital but hoping for a better experience.

@Sicksmellymess sorry to hear you are having a tough time. I had several failed attempts to return to work during my first pregnancy. I could survive part days but every time I tried to increase my hours, I went backwards. Eventually, my gp wrote a line for just working 2 hours every afternoon up until mat leave. My boss eventually accepted that this was better than nothing. I'm only 10 weeks now so still signed off this time.

@BalletN ive out holidays in so I’m working 10 days a month until I start maternity which I’ll be starting 4 weeks before my due date. They are meant to make some changes such as shifts, days off etc but it seems it’s all been left to me to sort out which has caused a lot of stress because it’s not my job and too much for me to sort out

Sicksmellymess As BalletN* says, can you get a note from your doctor which would change their approach at work?

Melleebacca You brave thing. No pain relief? Aagh.

BalletN I'm glad the GP did that.

ohCARP Twelve years undiagnosed is awful. You must have been admirably persistent.

The fonts in that message came out really weird. They keep changing size in this website. Off to check them on my laptop.

@ohCARP I can have gas and air at the birthing unit, but I don’t think pethidine is available, but I also beg from an epidural about 20mins before baby is born. I never get one, but it’s nice having the option to be able to ask!
Sorry to hear you’ve had issues with hospitals previously. I’m only choosing the birthing unit because it’s closer to home since we’ve moved, and it will be nicer not to be somewhere with COVID patients around.

@Sicksmellymess with my first, I never returned full time. I used up all my annual leave to work part time from 24wks to 34wks, and then I went on mat leave. I was more terrified of the sickness returning than anything else. And I did have a slight relapse at 26wks due to fatigue. This is my first time working past 34wks, I’m shattered but it’s a good distraction for me, and since I’ve only been in this job 11m, I want to guarantee I get the full 6m of paid mat leave.

@LucindaE I did a works medical before I came back and that says about all the adjustments that needed to be made but I might request a new one with additional adjustments but can’t help but think if they’re not listening to the one I’ve already had done then they won’t listen to another one. My GP isn’t very supportive and even more so about HG.

@Melleebacca I’m hoping using my annual leave in a way that means I only work 10 days a month (8 in a row but they need to give me a day off in between according to my medical) then I’ll feel better knowing I have two weeks off after each 10 days I work.
it’s hard isn’t it trying to work with the stress of worrying about relapsing, I’ve been feeling so sick around this time of night since I returned and I’m worried when I do 11.30-20.15 tomorrow and next week I’ll be in work feeling sick and needing to rush to not miss my bus home.
just so overwhelming

@Melleebacca your great grandma sounds like a superwoman. That's amazing family innings too.

It's interesting seeing all your birthing plans. I'm happy with a hospital birth which I think would now be encouraged anyways because of the gestational diabetes. I'd have liked to have been home ASAP but think now I have to stay for a minimum for 24 hours for blood sugar checks. I need to check this with my midwife next week.
I'm also hoping there are less restrictions for partners to be around. I've sort of accepted I might not be able to have my mum there as well, and that's ok.
It's always going to be strange not being able to let dd see baby straight away. I have a feeling as soon as I can, she'll be FaceTiming me to see baby.

Another part of the reason I want a home birth is my daughter came so quickly for a first baby they told me to plan on possibly not making it to the hospital in time for the second 😅

Last time they kept me in there was no real reason. Even at my birth debrief they were like "errrr...? First time mum and you're rhesus negative so checking baby's blood group?" My husband stayed 6 hours after the birth and they had the results before he left 🙄

@PopGoesBang My friend was telling me about her experience with GD and HG and it sounds so awful. As if they're not bad enough on their own. I'm in awe of you ladies who are coping with both. The restrictions seem to be lifting slowly so hopefully you get a more normal birth and post natal experience

@ohCARP We all have things to juggle don't we. I'm taking it slow and seeing what I can switch out and bring in to help the GD while being mindful of what might trigger HG as well. Altho I'm really pleased and have managed to go down to one Ondansetron on most days, I did have to take a second the other day as was feeling rough with the nausea. It's a weird old balance. And like with everything, if baby is doing ok, then that is the most important thing.
(Today is a more positive day, I've had plenty where I've sat and cried and said it's all too much!)

@ohCARP That rhesus negative excuse is a bunch of crap. I’m rhesus negative, and they know within an hour whether baby is as well. I only needed Anti-D with my second daughter and got it so fast. I only stayed in the hospital until she had her hearing test done - my niece is hearing impaired and it’s much easier if the test is done as a newborn than as a more alert 6wk old.

@PopGoesBang You’re doing great!
And I didn’t even think about visitors when it came to my birthing plan. To be fair, I don’t even need Hubby there (just midwives and nurses please), but I want him to be the first person other than me to meet baby.
When I headed into the hospital for my iron infusion, there was big signs saying that visitors were only allowed with permission from the mum, and had to be masked, and only during a smallish time window. But that could just be my hospitals rules.

Out hospital has gone back to pre-covid visiting since 5th May, but masks are still required. So looks like they're starting to return to normal now. Fingers crossed everyone else's do too.

@Melleebacca @Weathergirl1 that gives me some hope.
I have until August so hopefully some more normality will creep in. Totally get the masking, I think that will stay for quite a while.

Sicksmellym ess I am so glad GP is supportive, anyway.
PopGoesBang Like ohCARP and others, I too am in awe of anyone having to cope with GD and Hyperemesis.
ohCARP You're lucky about baby arriving so quickly, anyway!
Melleebacca You are brave. That's a nice image I have of OH meeting baby.
Waves to Weathergirl1 and everyone...

My nausea has been getting worse the past few days, although vomiting still similar. I've not changed meds or anything. Almost 11 weeks and think I might be heading into the peak. When did everyone else peak?

BalletN Sorry to hear it's ramping up. It was a long time ago that I suffered, but as I recall, 10-11 weeks with me.There does seem to be a hormonal surge about then.

@BalletN my peak is always weeks 9 to 12 and then it slowly tapers off.
You’re doing great!

36wks here, and so fed up that every time I eat I feel nauseous afterwards. I know I only have 20 odd days left, but it’s gotten to the point where I can’t remember eating and not feeling sick afterwards.

@LucindaE @Melleebacca thank you very much ladies! I managed to survive the first 3 days of my holiday with no sickness or nausea but I am totally making up for it today... spent the whole day between the toilet and bed. I had to take 3 rennie tablets hoping they help the acid and might see if I can find a pharmacy to pick up some calcium powder!