Hyperemesis: How I Coped During My Pregnancy

After trying for a number of months to conceive our first child, I was beyond thrilled to finally see two pink lines on a home pregnancy test. I mentally prepared myself for the onset of morning sickness, but I didn't expect to wind up becoming as ill as I did. Starting at six weeks gestation, I threw up every single thing I tried to eat or drink, every single day. I was so nauseated that I dreaded waking up in the morning, and I spent most of each day sprawled out on our living room couch, crying and wondering why I'd ever wanted to be pregnant in the first place.

By the time I realized that my experience wasn't normal and contacted my doctor for help, I'd already dropped 13 pounds and was well on my way to losing even more. I was diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum, a little-understood, relatively rare form of severe morning sickness that's generally marked by the loss of five percent or more of a woman's body weight, the presence of ketones in the urine, dehydration and severe nausea and vomiting. According to the Hyperemesis Education and Research Foundation, Hyperemesis usually resolves itself by 21 weeks, though in isolated cases it can continue on until the birth of the child. Since little is known about Hyperemesis, it can't be prevented, but there are ways to weather the storm if you should find yourself stricken with this disease.

Medicate.

When my doctor heard that I'd been unable to hold down even water for more than a week, he immediately phoned in a prescription for an anti-emetic drug called Zofran. Typically prescribed for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, Zofran allowed me to eat and drink for the first time in several weeks, and never made me feel drowsy or out of touch with reality. I still felt quite ill, but regaining the ability to keep food in my stomach made a huge difference in the quality of my day-to-day life. Other drugs commonly used to combat the nausea and vomiting associated with Hyperemesis include Phenergran and Reglan. Check with your doctor to see if one of these medications might be an option for you. Be sure to ask about side effects, especially if you're still working or if you have other children to care for, though, since drugs of this type will often cause extreme drowsiness. In addition, be sure that you're comfortable with the risk-to-benefit ratio. It's generally safe to assume that any medication prescribed by your doctor is safe for your baby, but it never hurts to ask questions if you have concerns.

Try the Usual Remedies.
If you're truly suffering from Hyperemesis, chances are good that the usual morning sickness remedies won't do much, but it never hurts to try them out anyway. Who knows - you might get lucky and have something simple work after all. Take Vitamin B6 or fresh ginger. Some women swear by sea-sickness wristbands. Others suck on hard candies or sour lollipops. Talk to some friends and find out what worked for them, or do some research online for ideas. Be careful about using non-FDA approved herbs, though, since there are no guarantees that they're safe for pregnant women.

Seek Help.

Women suffering from Hyperemesis generally need more help than the average pregnant woman. If your partner has additional leave time that he's able to take, ask him to take it. If he can work from home, go for that option. If you have family in the area, call them and ask for help with meal preparation. A friend you've helped out in the past? Call in for a return favor. If you can afford it, hire someone to clean your house, walk your dog and pick up the mail. The Mother's Club in my area offers a meal prep service that's intended for new mothers, but it also caters to women experiencing crises, such as serious illness or unexpected loss. You may not feel like eating, but your partner and/or other children will, after all. Find out if there's a Mom's Club in your neck of the woods and join up. Fellow moms can be your biggest allies during a difficult pregnancy.

Distract, Distract, Distract.

I watched a lot of television during both of my pregnancies; a lot more than I'd like to admit publicly. I couldn't read because the small print in books, magazines and online made me nauseaus, but for some reason, my stomach could handle the passive, flashing lights of the tube. Although I was constantly aware that I felt awful and I experienced days when nothing at all made me feel better, there were times when I was able to use the TV to take my mind off my Hyperemesis-induced troubles. For you, it might be knitting, or weaving, or perhaps painting. The distractor-factor is different for each woman. Try a few things out and see what you can come up with to quell the queasies and give yourself a break.

Keep Clean.

If you have Hyperemesis, a nice, deep bathtub might well become your best friend. Regular baths will not only help keep you clean, which is essential when you're throwing up multiple times each day, but you may also find that they help you relax. Have your partner fill up the tub when he gets home from work and enjoy a nice soak. Just a note of caution: Be sure to use warm rather than hot water, however, since hot baths can raise your body temperature and potentially cause problems for your developing baby.

If you have other children, Hyperemesis becomes an even bigger challenge. Although I felt worse during my first pregnancy, my second was the more difficult of the two because I also had a toddler who needed my care and attention. If you find yourself in this position, try a few of these ideas.

Call Grandma.

If your family's in town, see if one of your relatives would be willing to take your child for an overnight visit every few weeks. My daughter loved getting to know her grandparents and had a blast doing all of the things my Hyperemesis kept me from enjoying with her. Sure, I was a little bit jealous when I realized what fun she was having, but I was also happy to know that she was safe and enjoying herself despite my illness. If relatives aren't an option, see if you can arrange a standing playdate with a friend's child. It'll give you a few consistent hours off-duty, and your child will have fun. You can always re-pay the favor after your baby is born and you've adjusted to the change.

Consider Preschool.

If your child is three or four years old, check out local preschools and see if one might be a good fit for your situation. Be sure to do your homework to insure a good fit for your child's personality, and take recommendations (and warnings!) from friends and knowledgable neighbors. If you can arrange for your child to attend the same school as one of her friends, you might even be able to work out a carpool schedule that would work to keep you off the road. Enrolling her in a quality preschool program will not only give you a break, but it'll allow her consistent time with friends and an early educational opportunity.

Childproof.

Pregnancy makes you tired; Hyperemesis is exhausting. Since you're likely to fall asleep at random times, be sure your home is adequately childproofed. Invest in cabinet locks, toilet locks, gates, and whatever other devices you feel are necessary to keep your child safe in your home. In addition, be sure that you're storing items in sensible places: Don't keep scissors or knives where they can be reached, and make sure that all bookcases, televisions and other pieces of furniture are firmly bolted to walls or the floor.

Stay calm.

Whether it's your first pregnancy or your fifth, it's essential that you stay calm, and keep your eyes on the end-result of your pregnancy: A beautiful, healthy newborn. Hyperemesis is a terribly unpleasant condition, but if you manage to keep a positive outlook on your life, it won't beat you.