I experienced Hyperemesis Gravidarum in both pregnancies. It went undiagnosed in my first pregnancy. I had intense morning sickness-like symptoms in the first trimester and was eventually started on Diclectin. The pharmacist told me I should be able to eat after a few doses. So my boyfriend and I decided to eat pizza that first night...which ended up not staying down. It continued on like that. The Diclectin wouldn't stay down either, so eventually I decided to stop taking the medication as paying $100 every two weeks was out of the question at the time (especially if it ended up down the toilet). I had relief in the second trimester - if you call relief being able to eat small meals once in a while. Then I relapsed hard in the third trimester and ended up being dehydrated and constantly having UTI's. One UTI turned into a raging bladder infection and causing pre-term labor.
My second pregnancy started with horrifying heart burn and reflux. I downed Tums and Rolaids for weeks before eventually finding HELPHER.ORG and their forums. I was able to get support and commiseration from the gals there, and I still continue to post on their forums. The second time around I vomited much in every trimester, despite being on more medication. My midwife suggested homeopathic and natural methods of relief. I didn't get into acupuncture, didn't take papaya enzymes, and didn't touch peppermint tea. But I did take dissolving vitamins called Emergen-C in plain water (this stuff came in flavors) as much as possible. I also took gummi vitamins - they slid down easier than anything else. (Quick aside - can't vitamin companies find a way to make prenatal vitamins taste better???)
All of my visits to the ER were stressful, either time. There is nothing worse than having four/five people starting IV's on you and missing, over and over. There is nothing worse than sitting in the ER amongst others who are sick, children who are crying, and while old men are seeking detoxification (the stink alone would make me gag). What I should have done is had an ER kit just packed into my car that included such things as: hand-held video game, magazines, baby wipes (to wipe my face off after throwing up), some breath mints, and lip gloss (for dry/cracked mouth). Also a small pillow, curling up and napping on those chairs SUCKS.
Feel free to share your comments and stories.
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I also was taking oral B6, around 50 mg per day along with double the dosage of Diclectin (which is B6 and a sleep aid product). There is no current research that links HG to B6 deficiency, but despite that I have had blood draws in pregnancy that say my B vitamins are all deficient. So no, I did not take bnatal.
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