Back in 1988......
Posted: Jun 11, 2004 9:17 am
I have two daughters, 17 & 15, and back in the 80's - long, long time ago, when I was pregnant with the eldest, my sickness was bad for about 13 weeks, I was sick most days but managed to go to work on my good days. No one at work understood, "no-one takes sick leave for morning sickness", never mind that I'd had to get off the bus twice to be sick ! But, two years later with my youngest child, I was being sick as soon as I was pregnant and it lasted until I was about 15 weeks. I lost over 30 lbs, in less than 3 weeks and was nearly at death's door and couldn't stand up. My GP was useless and kep telling me to go home and eat half a banana ! She wasn't keen to admit me to hospital either. My ex-husband was useless too which did untold damage to our relationship for years. I was helped by being in hospital, reassured, scanned, checked over, where I slept for four days, was given intravenous potassium, salts etc and even started to eat a little. As soon as I was discharged though, I got through the front door at home and was sick all over the hall carpet !! I remember reading something recently about HER, and that it was psychological and women who carry on as normal as much as possible don't have such terrible morning sickness - I couldn't believe this at the time but still, it made me think back and wonder if it was the case - and then I decided I'd never heard such a load of crap in my life - excuse my anglo-saxon ! There was no way in the world i could control my constant, morning, noon and night sickness. I was so pleased to find this website, and would love to hear from anyone else who's had the same awful experience of HER because no-one I know has, and when I speak to women who absolutely sail through the early months with no ill effects - Well, it's just not fair !!
My youngest daughter, 9lbs 6ozs, can you believe ? started having epileptics fits at the age of 4-5 months and we experienced months and years of worry with her as a baby and toddler. The condition is called West's Syndrome and I have often wondered whether my HER had anything to do with it. When I asked, or when the neurologists wanted to know the history of my pregnancy when she was being investigated and treated, they always dismissed it, but it is something that plays on my mind. She's OK now and grew out of the epilepsy, we were very lucky as they say that only 10% of children are normal - and she is !!!
Nearly two years ago, this is with my fiance, Ian, I happened to get pregnant at a really bad time - my oldest daughter was seriously ill in hospital. I had been staying with her at the hospital and forgot to take my pill because of the situation e.g dashing back and forth to the ward, worrying etc. Well, again, as soon as I was pregnant the sickness started.
It was very, very bad. I had to tell everyone I had flu - flu that lasted 3 weeks - because I couldn't move without retching and being sick. Because I was nearly 40, not married, going through a very bad time with my daughter and her illness, I decided on a termination, which happened very quickly thankfully, because of the severe sickness. Now 2 years later when I look back I feel terrible about it all but couldn't have carried on because of the debilitating sickness and the thought that this may have caused my youngest daughter's problems as a baby. Luckily, Ian was most understanding but we do find it very difficult to talk about it.
Its like a very sensitive wound that we're scared to touch.
When I said that nobody I know has had HER, I forgot about my mum and my auntie on my dad's side - they both suffered exactly like me but had no medical intervention. This was back in the 60's, my experience was in the 80's and hopefully now, in the 21st century! Drs will recognise, help and advise women with the effects of severe sickness and help them to cope.
My youngest daughter, 9lbs 6ozs, can you believe ? started having epileptics fits at the age of 4-5 months and we experienced months and years of worry with her as a baby and toddler. The condition is called West's Syndrome and I have often wondered whether my HER had anything to do with it. When I asked, or when the neurologists wanted to know the history of my pregnancy when she was being investigated and treated, they always dismissed it, but it is something that plays on my mind. She's OK now and grew out of the epilepsy, we were very lucky as they say that only 10% of children are normal - and she is !!!
Nearly two years ago, this is with my fiance, Ian, I happened to get pregnant at a really bad time - my oldest daughter was seriously ill in hospital. I had been staying with her at the hospital and forgot to take my pill because of the situation e.g dashing back and forth to the ward, worrying etc. Well, again, as soon as I was pregnant the sickness started.
It was very, very bad. I had to tell everyone I had flu - flu that lasted 3 weeks - because I couldn't move without retching and being sick. Because I was nearly 40, not married, going through a very bad time with my daughter and her illness, I decided on a termination, which happened very quickly thankfully, because of the severe sickness. Now 2 years later when I look back I feel terrible about it all but couldn't have carried on because of the debilitating sickness and the thought that this may have caused my youngest daughter's problems as a baby. Luckily, Ian was most understanding but we do find it very difficult to talk about it.
Its like a very sensitive wound that we're scared to touch.
When I said that nobody I know has had HER, I forgot about my mum and my auntie on my dad's side - they both suffered exactly like me but had no medical intervention. This was back in the 60's, my experience was in the 80's and hopefully now, in the 21st century! Drs will recognise, help and advise women with the effects of severe sickness and help them to cope.