Thursday, February 27, 2014

Awareness

Hyperemesis.

To summarize numerous internet definitions: Hyperemesis is a severe form of "morning sickness" that affects 1-2% of pregnant women (as opposed to the 50-90 percent that experience normal morning sickness to some degree). It involves weight loss of 5-10% of body mass or more, incapacitating nausea, uncontrollable vomiting, dehydration or malnutrition. It doesn't go away at the beginning of the second trimester, usually lasting til 20ish weeks or the whole pregnancy. And it does require lots of attention from your doctor.

I don't mention all of this to make anyone feel sorry. These are just the facts. I just feel like nobody knows about it. I've not met a person yet who knew what hyperemesis was before I explained it. Most everyone knows someone who got really sick during their pregnancy, which may or may not have been hyperemesis. Only a doctor can diagnose. All I know is it is very real.

This time with hyperemesis has been worse than my previous two. Long story short, I started going in for IV's in the second month and ended up returning regularly for fluids. I just don't eat and can't keep anything down. My doctor set me up for home care where I've learned to administer my own fluids, medicine, and vitamins through my own IV on a daily basis. Many hyperemesis sufferers get a central line, or a PICC line. For whatever reason, my doc won't do one, so hopefully the IV's will keep up.

I've created a detailed blog of the experience here, for those who love the medical details like I do. Reading other peoples' experiences has brought a lot of comfort, and I wish I could do the same for someone else.

3 comments:

  1. Wow! I hope you get to be feeling better soon. I have known of two other people who have hyperemesis. Good luck!

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  2. congrats on your pregnancy Jessica, sorry it's been so hard for now! My mom had that really bad too, it is NO fun. Good luck!!!

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  3. Congratulations...but I'm so sorry that you're not feeling well. Hang in there!

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