Grandparent Help
Grandparents often offer crucial support for mothers
with HG. You may have endured HG or seen it happen to one
of your daughters. You likely know the mother better than
anyone and may be the best ones to know how to be there for
her. The help that is most beneficial for her is
consistent and
reliable
support.
Mom's often say emotional support is more helpful than childcare
or household help. The best way to know is to be there and
ask.
One of the most frequent disappointments we hear is that
family and friends are very supportive initially, but then
become distant over time. Women with HG often are reluctant
to
ask for
help, and feel terribly guilty needing so much without offering
anything in return. Life can become very isolating and lonely,
especially for women with prolonged HG. Depression often
results. Try to be there as long as she needs, even when
she cannot give in return. Your relationship will likely
grow deeper as a result.
Ways you can support her through this difficult time:
- Offer as much help as you reasonably can for childcare,
house cleaning, meal preparation, errands, etc.
- Ask her to keep a list of tasks and errands she needs
completed and find others to come by and help with one
or two.
- Try to avoid getting too tired or burned out. You need
to care for yourself as well. She will also sense your
frustration and feel guilty burdening you.
- If possible, call other friends and family that are
close to her and educate them on her illness. Ask how they would
like to help, such as calling her weekly.
- Encourage her to be as active as she can, however,
understand she may need to rest often. Fatigue and motion worsen nausea/vomiting.
- Be there to let her cry or vent her frustrations. Offer
understanding and suggestions to help her cope. Know that
her emotions are real. They are either positively or negatively
influenced by her illness, the support she receives, and
her genetic sensitivity to the hormonal changes of pregnancy.
Read more in our Mother's
Survival Guide.
- Try to get her out of the house for something fun,
even for a short time, as often as she tolerates. She may feel
encouraged after a movie, or brief trip to a baby store
with you.
- Think of something to add enjoyment to her
life, such as flowers, books on decorating the baby's room,
or catalogs with baby gear.
- Help her plan for the baby's arrival and determine
what she will need. HG can leave her very depressed and miserable.
Keep her focused on the baby that will soon bring
joy to her
life.
- If she is ill during the holidays, try to find ways
to include her in the festivities. If there are other grandchildren,
plan a few special holiday traditions to enjoy with them.
Decorate her house, but don't forget to come back and help
clean up.
- If she is not improving, considering abortion, or you
feel her care is inadequate, quickly coordinate with the
father to find
another health professional and/or e-mail
us.
- Encourage her to read this site and contact our Volunteers for emotional support.
- Bring meals by to ease the burden on the father. Prepare
healthy snacks for the kids that don't require mom's help.
- Help her eliminate
triggers of her vomiting/nausea in her environment.
- Try to help her identify foods she can eat and prepare them for her if time
allows. Often preparing food increases nausea and
creates an aversion.
- Ask her what you can do to help her most. She may not
tell you otherwise.
- Know that HG can last well past the first trimester,
possibly until delivery. Try to create a network of supporters
to help her until she has recovered. This may not be until
a few months postpartum.
- Educate yourself on signs of depression both during
pregnancy
 and postpartum. She
is at greater risk for depression if her symptoms are
severe and/or last for more than half of her pregnancy.
Make sure she seeks help if needed.
Updated on:
Aug. 09, 2006 |
