Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Pregnancy is usually a very exciting time for parents to be. 

Some women feel amazing throughout, while others may experience what most people know as ‘morning sickness’, even though it can happen first thing in the morning as well as the middle of the night.

As I am pregnant with my second child, I thought this would be a good opportunity to chat about HG (Hypermesis Gravidarum).

Disclaimer: I am no doctor, so please do not take this as medical advice. This is my personal experience only.

You may have heard people saying that each pregnancy is different. I couldn’t agree more! 

With Sydney I experienced the usual any-time-of-the-day sickness during the first trimester, heartburn all the way and I was very weak towards the end due to low iron. All was managed mostly with anything ginger, some extra vitamins and additional rest when possible.

While I thought I had experienced it all with my first pregnancy, that was quite smooth compared to what was expecting me with pregnancy #2.

Sydney started going to daycare in late January, when she was around 7 month old and, as you would expect, we’ve all started to get unwell on and off with every possible virus she’s been bringing home.

Falling pregnant again so quickly was a blessing, however I seemed to be the one getting the most unwell within the family, especially in the first 3-4 months. Just to mention a few things: two ear infections, about 6 weeks of pneumonia and gastro times two. All that was topped up by the common pregnancy suspects, a.k.a. all-day-sickness and exhaustion.

Just when I thought it was all finally over and I started to gain some of my health back, I got hit by a complete different train. It was all-day-sickness to the next level, which literally put me on my knees and made move my residency to the bathroom. 

I suddenly wasn’t able to stomach any food, drink or even smell. Thinking about food or seeing a TV ad with food would be unsettling (yes, you’ve heard that right!), to the point that I lost almost all my pregnancy weight and became dehydrated very quickly.

One night it all became too unbearable, so we wrapped up Sydney in a blanket, jumped in the car and drove to the Maternity unit of our local hospital. 

After an all nighter, two bags of fluids, and lots of medications later, I was diagnosed with HG. 

1 in 100 pregnant women experience Hypermesis Gravidarum, that is severe ‘morning sickness’ which usually happens early in pregnancy and is over by 20 weeks in most cases. In some cases it can last as long as the whole pregnancy.

HC can be challenging emotionally, mentally and, of course, for your health and the health of your baby.

I guess I was lucky enough not to have it for the first 20 weeks, but I cannot know whether it will stop eventually or if it will continue to the very end.

The good thing is that, once diagnosed, there are a few things that can be done to ‘take the edge’ off it.

First of all: don’t be like Alice. Keep your fluids up no matter what. Then, of course, consult your trusted GP and/or OBGYN. 

Given my state, I was advised to start taking vitamin B6 and an antihistamine three times a day, plus some additional prescription anti-nausea medications at need, up to three times a day. There have been bad days and not-so-bad days up to this point, but it’s not over yet. Sometimes not even taking medications seems to help.

Other things that might give relief are getting some good old rest, have smaller meals more often to keep your stomach going, crackers are your best friends, anything ginger including ginger tea, ginger beer and ginger crystals, limit your caffeine intake, drink chamomile/peppermint tea, and Life Savers tingles seem to help with digestion if you are battling with reflux.

If you are experiencing HC early in pregnancy, while you are still allowed to lay on your back, I also recommend to lay down on the floor with your feet up on the wall, as that helps with blood flow and with relaxing your muscles.

Finally, if you are feeling a little anxious and are struggling to fall asleep, some good ocean sound white noise and meditation can help you relax.

Again, I am no doctor, and these things combined are what have helped me so far.

My end goal, as advise by my OBGYN, is to start phasing any medications out as I start to feel better. Hopefully soon!

I don’t wish this to anyone but if you have read this far because you are experiencing any of these symptoms, I hope you will feel better soon 🤞