Hi! My name is Karen, I live in Tucson, AZ, I am 26 years old on Thursday. I have one daughter, Miya who will be one on Saturday. I have had only one pregnancy.
I discovered I was pregnant at 4 weeks, by 6 weeks I was bedridden. My first visit with my midwife was at 8 weeks and by then I had already been to the ER once for fluids and had lost 5 pounds. I started out knowing aboslutely nothing about HG and trying to treat my ms with Emetrol and ginger, LOL. The first real drug I tried was Phenergan. This did nothing but make me feel paranoid. Then I tried Reglan, which made my skin crawl. Finally, during my second visit to the ER for fluids, I encountered a cancer nurse who told me about Zofran. At 10 weeks, I saw my MW again and told her about Zofran, which she didn't hesitate to prescribe for me. I took Zofran, 8mg x 4, until the day I delivered. In the beginning, Zofran was not enough. I was still totally bedridden. My husband had to carry into the shower when my own smell would make me sick. My radar nose detected food my neighbors were cooking! I could not even read about food or watch cartoons with food! The depression was terrible. I remember wanting to give up and I remember thinking HG was going to kill me. Although my husband was great, nobody else in our families really understood and they were less than suppostive. By 16 weeks, I had lost 20 pounds and my midwife became scared for me. Although she was great, and responded to my research and all my requests, she knew absolutely nothing about HG...I was her first case! She decided to consult with the head of Obstetrics before admitting me for the remainder of my pregnancy. He recommended steroid therapy and low and behold, it worked! While it didn't cure me of HG, it allowed me to start eating again and I began to gain weight. I remained on Zofran and a diet of very carby foods for the remainder of the pregnancy.
Miya was born via c-section for breech presentation five days before she was due. She was tiny; 6 pounds 1 oz., but perfect. She has suffered from reflux, but it has almost cleared up now. She also was recently diagnosed with a VSD (ventricular septal defect), a small hole in her heart. We are praying that it continues to be a harmless defect and eventually closes. Not sure if this was HG related, but I'd be interested to find out if any other HG babes have it.
We are not sure if we will do it again. I desperately want another child, but am terrified of going through HG again, especially with a child! Hopefully being back here will help me with this decision!
So I am here for several reasons. First, to help other get through HG in any way I can. Second, to find the courage to do it again. Third, to gain knowledge about other options if courage never finds me. I'm glad to be back among you all!!