Thank you, Kirsty. Yes, I'm pretty sure the lack of sleep has quite a bit to do with the weight gain. At the very least, the fatigue doesn't exactly motivate me to exercise! We live in a very rural area - no sidewalks or roads suitable for a stroller, no other mothers to walk with, etc. I tried walking with the baby in the backpack, but she's just getting too heavy for me!
Leaving my job hasn't helped either. I'm very glad to be able to stay home, but I spend most of my day in my kitchen/living area. I'm sure just having food on hand and doing more cooking doesn't help the situation!
Dealing with infant reflux is certainly no picnic! Honestly, I'd rather it be me being sick again than to watch my baby hurt like she has the past year! It seems like several HG mothers have had reflux babies, and it seems like the reflux these babies experience lasts longer than typical infant reflux (just an informal observation from reading various posts). Could it have been the meds???
Yes, you're right. There certainly are worse things in the world than gaining weight. I'd gladly stay the weight I am now than ever experience HG again! Baby number two would probably be my sure fire ticket to weight loss! (Not really the way I'd want to go about it, however.)
Pilates does sound like a good way to start. I was thinking of trying yoga. Either should help to strengthen weak muscles, and my muscles just don't seem the same after HG. It's like I'm in a whole new body. I sort of expected some typical changes after having a baby, but not quite like this.
I also wonder about seeing a nutritionist. I put up with some really bad attitudes from my doctor during HG, but I was just too sick to argue (and hubby really didn't know what to do or think). They refused to see me or medicate until after 6 weeks. By then, I had to take a leave of absence from my job. I was just a miserable blob of a person stuck to the couch. (Just looking at that couch now makes me sick!
) Anyway, I never received IV fluids or anything. Looking back, now I know I should have made the long drive into the ER. I probably would have felt much better if the dehydration was treated. I just don't see how a person can go without regular food or water for so long during pregnancy and it not have an impact on their dietary needs after the baby is born! (One would think the doctors would help out more with this, but I guess not.)
Anyway, sorry to be so long. I've been waiting almost two years to get some of this stuff off of my chest!
Thanks so much for reading and replying. It's sooooo good to know that you're not the only one!!!!! Thanks again!