hyperemesis gravidarum

betterlatethannever

Hi
I've just found out my daughter's pregnant after being told that she could never have children due to several issues 'down there' This also means theres less than a 50% chance of the pregnancy going to term . Its a bittersweet moment and one we can't enjoy, but take each day as it comes and hope

She's been very ill though with extreme sickness ( hyperemesis gravidarum)
I just don't know what to do for her and am at a loss.
She's already spent a week in hospital on a drip and has been off work for two weeks now with little sign of being able to go back.

I have so many questions, but mostly, how has anyone else coped with either hyperemesis gravidarum, or severe morning sickness? Any assistance would at least, make me feel useful.

I have websites that have been useful, but mostly, they are scary. I need to know how to help please.

Thank you x

AnnieO1234

I know I'm going to sound all new age and things, I'm not! However at the start of the 6th month of my last pregnancy I was rushed to hospital, placed in resus room as a result of HG. I was in for 5 days, and afterwards I struggled to drink, couldn't eat. It was horrible. I was prescribed various drugs, but what really helped was coconut water.

It was easy to drink, sweeter than water but without any cloying chemical or citrus tastes. I read about it when I was literally at my wits end with it all. I got a small 200ml carton and was able to drink it. I then drank more and more. It really was magic.

I've had it since when I've got run down or just been fatigued with EBF, two under 5s and a disabled hubby. I really do credit coconut water with stopping me ending up back in hospital at the time, and helping me through illnesses now xxx

hngrymummy

Big hugs to her.

I had it with both pregnancies, and it's pretty miserable. I ended up on a drip too

I carried a bucket around with me all day, every day, ate what I fancied when I fancied it (not very many things and not very often), was on anti-sickness medication just to function. The most important thing is to keep hydrated. I couldn't drink water or milk, as they both made me sick, so I sipped at fizzy apple juice, or whatever I fancied that day.

Lots of people will have lots of advice about what to do to feel better - eg eat gingernuts, eat often, have soup etc. They all mean well, but most don't really understand HG, so just nod and smile, then ask them to do the washing up/hang up the washing etc.

kingfisherblue

Congratulations! It must be brilliant, if scary, news for you. I love being a nanna.

I vomited several times a day throughout each of my three pregnancies. At one point, I had lost two stone. Things improved slightly when I drank flat lemonade. Sounds daft, I know, but it worked to some extent for me. I still threw up, just not quite as much.

I hope everything goes well for your daughter.

KFB x

betterlatethannever

These are great replies and just what I'd hoped for- not 'New Age' at all Annie- just a potentially helpful comment. :A

hngrymummy- Thats whats my DD has said to me- that no one understands HG- and I do just do the washing up and get on with anything to help her- thank you and well done for getting through it twice :A

Kingfisherblue- again, everything is worth a try and will add that to the list. Thank you

XXX

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I was prescribed Stemetil. It made the following weeks tolerable, although not enjoyable. And both girls were fine.

It really was the only way I could do anything resembling functioning for the first 25 weeks, rather than starving (lost 2 stone and went from Hb of 13.6 to 4.2 in twelve weeks). No idea whether they still prescribe it, but it was the only way I could look after a kid alone, or I would have been in bed/hospital for the entire time. And if I ever see a gingernut bisbuit again, it will be too soon - although offspring #1 suspects this has some connection with her bright ginger hair, so it wasn't all bad :cool:

betterlatethannever

Hearing that medication was taken and the babies were fine is a huge comfort.
Thank you Jojo and I'm so guilty of forcing Ginger Nut biscuits down her :o

hngrymummy

I was on cyclizine hydrochloride for both pregnancies. As Jojo said, it enabled me to function, and only be sick a couple of times a day.

One thing Mr HM never really understood was when I said 'please can you get me something to eat now' (I could hardy set foot in the kitchen due to it smelling of food) I didn't mean 'when you've done the washing up, tidied, put everything away, and put a load of washing on' I meant 'right now'

I still find some comfort in talking about it with a friend who was in a similar position. It helps to know that I wasn't alone.

KRB2725

I didn't have HG, but I did find that sucking ice lollies helped the constant feeling of nausea. I also wore sea sickness bands, I think they helped a bit but some people find they are very effective.

betterlatethannever

HM- that rings true- today she was so sick, but as soon as I arrived she asked for two yoghurts and loads of cooked chicken. She seems to cope better when she doesn't have to cook or shop. I think i need to be there for her more often. It must be hard to do you're own cooking when you feel so sick!

emma- I took some ice lollies over today and she managed two of them. I think its something I'll try more of. Thank you xx

SuzieSue

I don't have any experience of HG, but reading the posts below, I wonder if Appletizer would help - apparently it is just pure apple juice and even counts as one of your five a day (although I find it hard to believe that bit).