Hyperemesis gravidarum

[Wondermum]

Has anyone been diagnosed with Hyperemesis gravidarum? If so, does anyone know if there is anything you can do to treat it before you TTC next time? I read somewhere that it can be treated before TTC by testing and antibiotics?

Hyperemesis gravidarum
Severe morning sickness is known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), and can affect around one in 1,000 pregnant women. The symptoms of HG include repeated vomiting, weight loss and dehydration. Treatment usually involves hospitalisation, and the administering of intravenous liquids and nutrition. The possible complications of untreated hyperemesis gravidarum include:

* Electrolyte imbalances
* Extreme depression and anxiety
* Malnourishment of the foetus
* Excessive strain on vital organs, including the liver, heart, kidneys and brain.

[reAllytee]

Gees well no one has told me anything about possibly avoiding it next time maybe i should have a talk with my g.p :fingerscrossed:
Funniest thing is that even though i lost 15kgs i still had a heffa hippo boy at just off 10lbs !!!! So he wasnt affected shame about what i went through !!!!

[WeThree]

Hi, I am so sorry you are going through this, I had this with my first son, and it put me off the thought of ever having more children for a long long time, but you know what? I did not get it with my other two, even though most woman suffer from it with each subsequent pregnancy, I wonder if the big gap ( 6 1/2 yrs till I had another) had anything to do with it?
Anyway, how far along are you? Try not to worry to much about bubs, like Ally said, bubs is like a leech and sucks what little nourishment you are getting out of you and leaves you with none :o My son was still 8p 1, although barely any body fat on him, the paed said if I had been well he would have been well over 10p! :eek:
Try to suck on lemonade iceblocks when you can, as for what you can do to not get it again, I dont know sorry :( I just really feel for you, it was so awful, I had terrible depression after having him, and it definetly all started whilst I was pregnant, and the lining of my eosophegus ended up all eroded, because of my hyperemisis, I have heard from other mums who have suffered it with each child that each time it doesnt last as long, so I guess that is one good thing......

[Goosie22]

I was diagnosed with HG and was on IV fluids several times throughout my 1st pregnancy. I also started having bleeding which was complicated due to the vomitting ect. Anyway it was a trying time for me.

I ended up having HG untill about the day I went into hospital, I didnt put any weight on and actually was lighter after having my baby than 9 months earlier (my son was 4.5kg at delivery), so when I was trying to concieve again I went to Sharkeys (http://www.sharkeys.com.au/healing_centre.html) healing centre to help me as I was concerned m/c again(I had had a couple of m/c by then too all with HG present) So they gave me a liquid to take for 3 months before even starting and a zinc test, they tested me for Helecobacteria (negative for me but can be a cause of server HG) and after the 3 months I started on B6 and folic acid. I became pregnant and while I still got sick it was not for the entire pregnancy and I finished up at 12 weeks, with only vomitting once a day, I continued to work and attend to school activities with my son in year one at the time.

There is also a good book available through ACE graphics giving womens accounts of HG and the ways they coped, while it dosnt have any sure fire cures it gives all the things to try and keeps your spirits up as he stories make you realise your not alone in your misery.

[Rell]

I too had Hyperemesis gravidarum but only with my 2nd. Luckly it wasn't with my 1st otherwise I may not have had a second. I have never herd of anything to prevent it.
Are you still sick now?
The only thing that helped me was Zofren. I have spoken to a lady who arfter having Hyperemesis gravidarum the first time was given Zofren from as soon as she found out she was pregnant.
As the others have said don't worry too much about your baby my Ds was born a healthy 9pound dispite me loseing 13kg.

[Wondermum]

Hi fellow bubhubbers!

My HG wasn't too server, it didn't last an overly long time. But when I was at my worst I was at my WORST. I experienced morning sickness with my first DS, but with this one it was a little worse. I just kept soldiering on trying to get myself through it, taking my vitamin B6 until the day I ended up vomiting blood. That freaked me out and I called the hospital straight away and ended up in emergency with on IV fluids for dehydration and medication for vomiting. Once I was prescribed with medication it started to get better and eased by about 20 weeks, but I still had the occasional :barf:

I am due in about 4 weeks now :smiliedance:

Just thought I'd post this thread because HG is terrible to go through and DH and I would like 3 children if all goes well with #2. So before we start TTC #3 which will be some time from now I would like to look into prevention if possible.

Goosie22 thanks for the very helpful info ;) Helecobacteria is what I had read about that can be a major cause of HG.

[Tarnya]

HG is individually analysed for each pregnancy, I have it now and had it with my daughter but not my son so don't get too worried about it until it happens, there is a wrist band that your GP can give you which help the side affects if you have a minor version which isn't classified as HG it is then just morning sickness. I lost 18 kg whilst carryingf my daughter and have lost 7 kilo's so far this time and am only 18 weeks so I wouldn't be counting your chickens until they've hatched.

but I've used the wrist band and it does help a little, not enough to stop the :barf: but enough to help me function like a normal person.

[reAllytee]

I tried everything to stop mine not even any of the medication the doctors tried helped mine :crying:

I hate my teeth now because of it & im dreading the next pg this combined with all the other things that went wrong im seriously wondering why i should bother ....

[Rell]

Hi Allyoo
Did your Drs try you on Zofren? Its a drug they use for people undergoing chemo.
Much more efective then drugs like maxalon. Each pregnancy is different so :fingerscrossed: your next one will be a breaze.

And where is that cute picture of Boof gone???

[Wondermum]

HG is individually analysed for each pregnancy, I have it now and had it with my daughter but not my son so don't get too worried about it until it happens, there is a wrist band that your GP can give you which help the side affects if you have a minor version which isn't classified as HG it is then just morning sickness. I lost 18 kg whilst carryingf my daughter and have lost 7 kilo's so far this time and am only 18 weeks so I wouldn't be counting your chickens until they've hatched.

but I've used the wrist band and it does help a little, not enough to stop the :barf: but enough to help me function like a normal person.


Hi Tarnya, I was diagnosed by my GP with HG with this pregnancy (#2), but I would say it was probably not as extreme as some experience, I am totally fine now and have been for some time. When you say 'wrist bands' from your GP are these the seabands available at chemists? If so, I sent the DH out for these very early on in my pregnancy and found they weren't much help for me. I think vitamin B6 really helped me muster up my energy levels earlier on and then medication when it came to the crunch.

[clarebear1983]

Has anyone been diagnosed with Hyperemesis gravidarum? If so, does anyone know if there is anything you can do to treat it before you TTC next time? I read somewhere that it can be treated before TTC by testing and antibiotics?

Hyperemesis gravidarum
Severe morning sickness is known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), and can affect around one in 1,000 pregnant women. The symptoms of HG include repeated vomiting, weight loss and dehydration. Treatment usually involves hospitalisation, and the administering of intravenous liquids and nutrition. The possible complications of untreated hyperemesis gravidarum include:

* Electrolyte imbalances
* Extreme depression and anxiety
* Malnourishment of the foetus
* Excessive strain on vital organs, including the liver, heart, kidneys and brain.

Yes i have been diagnosed with it for two pregnancies (this one and my first one)............but i have never heard of it being treated before TTC!!!! Mainly because each pregnancy is different and some peoeple dont get it with all pregnancies........all i got given was maxolon for pregnancy one and zofren for pregnancy 2 (which i have to go get more of so i can go to uni-thanks for the reminder)

When i had DS i was dreading getting pregnant a 2nd time but everyone said "oh you wont get as sick this time around" YEAH FRIKEN RIGHT!!!! This time was worse and im 5 months and its still around (not as bad but still there) I lost 11kgs with it and am still not up to prepregnancy weight!! (oh well was overweight before pregnancy now am just right so there is a silver lining!)

If anyone finds a way to get rid of it before TTC let me know!! Then maybe DH wil let me try for #3 (he told me i cant have another kid, he cant handle seeing me so sick!!)

[Wondermum]

clarebear1983

Apparently you can get tested for Helecobacteria. I think they treat it with antibiotics. I'll definitely be looking into this with my GP before TTC next time.

[WeThree]

Hi wondermum, I remembered today a conversation I had with another suffer a few years ago, she said that she found accupuncture to be extremely effective in helping to control the nausea, might be worth a go!
I found I was at my worst from about 5-18 weeks, this is when I spent most of the time in hospital, lost alot of wieght etc, I was then 'ok' till about 35 weeks, when it all started again, and I spent the last few weeks of the pregnancy in hospital, again, on a drip, again. Anyway, I wish I had found out about the accupuncture before instead of after, I definetly would have tried it :yes:

[clarebear1983]

clarebear1983

Apparently you can get tested for Helecobacteria. I think they treat it with antibiotics. I'll definitely be looking into this with my GP before TTC next time.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm maybe Dh will let me try for a 3rd if it can help................but then do i want to risk getting HG again?

[Blessed Mum]

This is what I had with DD. Something that weighs heavily on my mind about whether or not we should ttc again & when, as when pregnant with DD, Ds was 9 so he was pretty much right but with DD now its a whole new kettle of fish.

I will watch this thread with intrest :)

[zsimms]

Yes I had h.g with my dd and it was awful, I don't think anything can prepare you for it the first time it is such a shock.
In terms of prep for next time ttc I am actually about to ttc if I dont back out! and I have been on the b6 and folate for a start. I have a doc lined up and a list of all meds used to treat it, here and overseas, so that I can "educate" the doctors if need be.
The hardest part before your pg is knowing what you are about to go through and not opting out!
Anyway, I am a member of the hugs forums (www.hyperemesis.org) and so I have been getting as much info from there as I can, but it is great to hear from some aussies.
Cheers
Zoe

[jade21887]

A good website that I found is www.helpher.org (www.helpher.org) they do have a TTC forum that has some things that people have done to help it become less severe the next time around, but as far as I know, there is no cure for it.

[Wondermum]

A good website that I found is www.helpher.org (www.helpher.org) they do have a TTC forum that has some things that people have done to help it become less severe the next time around, but as far as I know, there is no cure for it.

;) Thanks jade21887

[*Lauren*]

Hi All,

I didn't notice this thread before but I am damn glad i found it :) .. I had HG for around 4 months (i know i am terribly lucky that it didn't last longer).. and i promise you at times i was thinking "Death would be better than this"

I had a IVP permantely in my hand because every second day i'd be at the hospital with fluids.. I didn't have any bleeding or throwing up of blood but my weight dropped to abour 45 kilos (maybe a little less) which is about 6 kilos for me. I know this doesn't sound like a lot but when you could see every ribbone i knew i was in trouble... The doctors didn't say there really was anythign to prevent for me sometimes it's just the short straw. They gave me fluids while injecting me with maxolon so i wouldn't throw it up.. I'm only 19 with my first pregnancy and anythign that can go wrong seems to happen with me... :laughing: the art of forgetting will be the only reason i could have more, i really wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

I was having to work 10hour days because i had to run the Administration on my own (I work in the head office of a mining company ) and every 5 minutes i was throwing up or dryreaching (just because there wasn't anything to throw up...) then i'd get home around 6pm, couldnt eat anything, then fall asleep in the bottom of the shower for half an hour, before i had to be pulled out and into bed at 6.30 slept all night then got up at 6 and did it all over again..

i think i went temporarily insane for 4 months :banghead:

[MumOfTwoBoys]

I've had HG with my second and was hospitalised 3 (!) times during my pregnancy. It was in October-November 2003 and apart from IV fluids (cause I was seriously dehydrated, could not even suck an ice cube!) I was given vitamin B6 (also IV) and prednisolon (sp?). Yes, the hormones drug. My doctor told me that this was the latest treatment recommended by the Royal Women's Hospital. I was given tablets and the amount was decreased every day. I think I was told to take them for only 4-5 days, don't remember. Although the doctor said I was not responding to the treatment as well as he wished I was able to get back to work and eat normally in 5 weeks.

[starstar]

I have just been diagnosed with HG and was prescribed with stemetil and maxolon four days ago, but as far as i can tell they don't really help that much as am still vomiting and dry-retching when there is nothing left inside; plus am asleep for most of the other time. Was so sick today thought about getting DH to drive me to the hospital but I wasn't sure if you can just turn up to the emergency dept and ask for an IV drip??? If anyone knows just for future reference that would be helpful...

:hugs: to those out of you out there suffering from HG, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy...

[jade21887]

starstar

I think you would be better off getting a referal to the hospital from your gp. That way the hospital doesnt have to try to re-diagnose you. I went once without a referal, and they gave me 2 big jugs of water and told me that I had to drink both of them before I could leave :banghead:

[starstar]

thanks jade, hopefully i won't need to use it but i am only eight weeks so reckon it's going to come in handy at some point over the next month or so :banghead:

[Rell]

:hugs: to you Starstar HG is not much fun at all.
Yes you can go straight to your nearest emergancy. With DS I went through energancy several times and each time they were fantastic. The first time they just keept me in overnight, pumped me full of fluids gave me a several maxalon injections and sent me home. The other times I was admitted and in the end I was put on a drug called Zofran. It is truly a wonder drug for those suffering HG.
If the other medications arn't working do go to the hospital as there is more that can be done.
Best of luck i hope your HG doesn't stay around for too long.

[*Kimmy*]

All you poor ladies with HG - I can totally commiserate - I thought I was the only one who suffered to such an extreme!

I back everyone who has mentioned Zofran. It is THE ONLY THING that will truly work if your HG is to the extreme of being unable to function otherwise. I was admitted to hosptal 4 times, on about 20 drips in total will all the hospital visits I made due to extreme dehydration, and tried every drug and non-drug in the book. Maxalon wont work if your HG is severe.

I am due in 3 weeks, and still take the Zofran daily. If I don't, I am as bad now with the vomitting as I was at week 8! For all those who finished their MS early - be so incredibly grateful! I would give anything to not have to still take the tablets daily at 37 weeks!

I hope you all enjoy the remainder of your pregnancies, and :fingerscrossed: next time will be different for all of us!

[kirstyE]

HI All,
I am 13 weeks pregnant and have had HG since week 2. I have tried Zofran, maxalon injections and have ended up relying on IV drips once a week. I can understand the feeling of hatnig to be sick every hour of the day, and the pain it causes to your body. I have found that sparkling grape juice has helped during the day ( as I can't stand soda water) and a glass of warm milk before bed as it stops the burning feeling you have at night in your chest and mouth. I have worked through the HG, however have been in Emergancy every weekend for IV.However Zofran has only slowed down my vomiting to after each meal. It hasn't stopped the vomiting completely.

As yuck as it sounds- I don't mind :barf: after each meal as I usually have less pain after I :barf: .

Thanks for all being so honest on your thoughts of HG, as I am a young mum on the Gold coast having my first child, and I have had so many mothers tell me, that 'everyone gets it so just put up with it'.
Thanks for helping me feel normal.:o
Kirsty

[starstar]

Kirsty don't feel alone, there's so many of us out there suffering from this and I hate it when people just say 'oh yeah, it'll pass, don't worry about it" when they've never experienced it to the extent we have!

I spoke to my OB a couple of days ago and he said there's not really much they can do when you're in your first trimester, other than prescribing Stemetil and Maxalon, as the other anti-nausea drugs may affect limb development. So I am just putting up with it - although I vomited blood for the first time last night which freaked me out quite a bit...yikes.