Hi
I just wanted to say hello, share my story (for those of you who are UK related) and just generally keep in touch as I'm thinking of trying for Number 2 next year June. A long way away I know, but I really want my daughter to be a bit more self sufficient before Mummy locks herself in the bathroom for 9 months!
I fell pregnant in September 2003 and I can clearly remember my first vomit at 6 and a half weeks. I was so excited! I was experiencing morning sickness. Little did I know what I was in for. By 7 weeks when I couldn't get out of bed without vomiting, I began to get a 'little' concerned. Fortunately I had read about HG in a pregnancy book, so I had some inkling of what was wrong. I went to the Doctor, who was terribly sweet and suggested dry biscuits, small sips of water and some anti-nausea tablets for air travellers. A week later I went back with my husband (time to bring in the big guns). I had to sit outside in the garden in mid winter while waiting for my appointment because I was vomiting almost non stop.
The doctor was now a little more concerned - especially when I told him I was vomiting more than 20 times a day - and a day later after trying stemetil suppositries, I was in hospital.
For two weeks I was on a re-hydration drip. I wasn't actually that badly dehydrated when I got there, but I think when they viewed my non-stop vomiting, they decided to keep me in hospital. I was also by this stage in severe ketosis because I couldn't eat anything at all - except ice cubes which made me feel ever so slightly better. After 3 weeks in hospital on a saline drip, someone decided I needed some more sustenance and I was put on TPN. But my real life saver was a consultant doing his rounds late one evening, who witnessed me vomiting and vomiting. He prescribed Prednisolone (a steroid) which definitely seemed to help the uncontrollable vomiting. I was still vomiting - but it wasn't as severe, around 8 times a day at the most.
After a month in hospital, I was finally allowed home. I continued vomiting for the rest of my pregnancy (around 2 a day) and was terribly exhausted - but I managed to go back to work, although I wasn't very productive.
At 37 weeks I was induced with severe pre-eclampsia, and my 7 pounds 1 ounce little girl was born perfectly healthy. During that month in hospital I swore that I would never fall pregnant again and yet here I am a year later contemplating it. My husband and friends are convinced it won't happen again - but I know better and am determined to be prepared.
Your website is a wonderful find, and I plan to keep in touch and develop my own coping strategy formed from all your tips. Zofran sounds wonderful - I just hope it's available here. I would also love to hear from any UK HGers who either need support or have any advice or tips.
Thanks.
Niki