Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Love Worth Fighting For

Hi Loves!

I had so many people reach to to me and ask what the condition I had with both of my pregnancies. I am finally writing a post explaining everything I went through. I would never want any mama to ever go through what I went through. If have had Hyperemesis Gravidarum you know it is such a selfless act of love. If you know someone who has HG or you think you may have it please go see your Doctor because there are many ways they can help! I hope you find this helpful! 

Hyperemesis Gravidarum: An extreme and persistent form of "morning sickness" that results in dehydration and malnutrition from excessive amounts of vomit. 

Symptoms-

• severe nausea 
• dehydration 
• vomiting that does not stop
• Weight loss
• severe fatigue 
• Haven't been able to keep any food in your body

If you have ever had Hyperemesis Gravidarum you know exactly what I am be talking about...but,  first lets go back four years . My first pregnancy, I was 18 years old and diagnosed with HG. My mom had five absolutely perfect pregnancies no morning sickness no problems so naturally I just expected I would be the same. No, I was so wrong! When I was six weeks pregnant it felt like a huge wave just knocked me down out of no where! There were days where I couldn't even fathom moving from bed or off the floor next to the toilet. I couldn't smell anything and if i did I would immediately start throwing up. I couldn't eat anything at all. Nothing. I tried the crackers, ginger ale, ginger everything, sea bands, nausea pops, nausea tea, you name it I tried! When I had to go to work as soon as I was off work I was in the emergency room getting IV hydration so much that the nurses knew me by name. The bad part was once I left the hospital hours later I would feel like I was dying and I am not exaggerating, if you've had HG you know the feeling I am talking about. As the days and weeks went on I couldn't take care of myself, I had to quit my job and have my family and nurses come to my home and take care of me. I was beyond thankful I had them there to help me. Thankfully by the time I was about 12 weeks pregnant I was referred to a Perinatologist. My Perinatologist saved me life more than once. She gave me every nausea medication to try and absolutely nothing worked not even Zofran which commonly works for most people.  but, Since I was loosing weight pretty fast and not gaining any she decided to place a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC Line) through my arm where I would get IV hydration everyday. After a few weeks of doing that treatment I still was feeling horrible. My Doctor decided to give me the medication Phenugren, which is so strong but honestly the only way I felt kind of normal and she was also able to give me  Total Parental Nutrition which essentially was a food bag that ran through my PICC line to give me all the nutrition I would need until I gave birth at 36 weeks to my sweet baby boy Levi.  The day I delivered Levi I told my husband I was never ever going to put myself through that ever again.

Four years later I really wanted to try one more time for a baby. I tried to convince myself that I only had HG because I was so young during my first pregnancy and thats why I got so sick. In the back of my mind I knew I would HG again. I was willing to go through that again because I knew the sweet blessing God gave me before. If you personally know me you know Levi is the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me!

Before my husband and I  tried for our second little one we went to multiple doctors hoping someone would give us an answer to why I got so sick and if I would get sick again. I did blood test, tried different diets for pregnancy, took numerous vitamins.  Each doctor told us the same thing, "every pregnancy is different you probably won't get that sick again ." They were so wrong. I thought having HG the first time was horrible the second time was even worst! 

I knew the exact day HG came back my second pregnancy. I was on my way to Disneyland with my mom and Levi to celebrate her birthday. I was planning on telling her later that evening because I wanted the day to be about her and not me. That car ride up to Disney was the longest ride ever as soon as we arrived to the park I had to tell her because I knew I wasn't going to make it through the day without her help. That day was the last day I would spend with my mom and son felling somewhat okay and before I would feel as if i was on the most insane roller coster ride of my life. As the days past, I quickly declined not being able to keep anything down. At one point I lost 12 pounds in a week and a half period. The smell of anything drove me nuts. i still had to be a mom, wife, and business owner. This time I knew my hyperemesis was worsening I could feel my body shutting down day by day. Some days I was so weak and lightheaded i would faint. I would have my family take turns driving me to the hospital  everyday to get IVs that lasted 6-8 hours out of my day since I Couldn't drive anywhere. Both of my arms had bruises all over from being poked so much and having blown out so many of my veins. My doctor I had previously put a PICC line again and wanted to do the same treatment I had with my first son. That lasted about a month before I developed a blood clot in my arm from the line which had never happened During my last pregnancy. I was immediately admitted and thankfully another line was put in my arm. I was receiving my medications and fluids through this line. I depended on this line since it was my life line I  felt secure knowing I was able to get nutrition to my baby.  just as i thought things could calm down maybe a bit  I went to have it check and another blood clot had formed. This time it was more serious and said this clot could have traveled to my heart if the didn't find it on time. God was definitely in control there!  And because of another clot I would have to give myself blod thinner shots in my stomach to make sure  i Wouldn't develop any blood clots during the rest of the pregnancy and during birth. I felt so defeated, by this time i was again admitted and was told I would be getting a feeding tube put down my nose. The ICU nurse explained to me it was a small tiny tube and I would barely feel it. I tried having it placed twice. It was the most traumatic thing. Swallowing something going down your nose. I couldn't  do it. I tried telling myself this was all for the baby, but that was my breaking point. After re grouping and talking to some amazing doctors they let me keep the feeding tube out but I had to eat something every two hours no matter what even if i threw it up. since my line was gone i also had to take my medication by mouth. the last two months i had to do that were the longest months but i was  determined to do it and try to give my baby the nutrients he needed. my sweet boy came at 35 weeks so chubby and rolls everywhere! seeing him so healthy made me so proud that I was able to give him what he needed despite being so sick.

I cant thank my family, doctors, and nurses who helped me so much i cant thank them enough.

at the end of every storm there is always a rainbow

i tried to get Everything in a nutshell, but if anyone has any questions please feel free to reach out!

xO, Heather