by Ivydragon » Jul 04, 2004 11:46 am
Paul,
Where are you and your wife from in the UK? I have a list of HGers I am compiling with contact info from women who have posted here at this website in the last year. There are a lot of women from the UK who haven't yet signed in to this new forum format. You can post where you're from here, or email me privately by clicking on my "Ivydragon" loggin name and emailing me through my profile. I can check to see if anyone is from your area and if they have a good Dr. they could refer you to.
I am familiar with enough UK HG cases to know that you are many times stuck with the Dr. that you are stuck with, and I hope that you can try to be proactive and ask for a Dr. on the next level up. Someone that will take your wife more seriously. I know that many of the drugs prescribed in the U.S. are not prescribed as often in the UK, but that doesn't mean they are not available at all. Zofran is available, just not usually prescribed.
You can post here, or post in the first trimester folder about your wife's HG from her first pg (HG usually follows the same pattern from pg to pg) and what treatments were given, and we can get a better idea of where she is at.
Small frequent meals (cravings if she's having any are great for food choices) liquids and solids separate by 1/2 an hour, and getting her on some oral B6 could be really helpful at this initial stage before she gets into a Dr. Never hungry, never full. Trying to keep her hydrated is important. Focus on rotating foods (if she'll allow). Nutrition isn't nearly as important as things that stay down (calories). Ask her what she wants to eat by asking about food "categories" ~ salty, sweet, crunchy, bland, soft, spicy, etc., because the mere mention of "cheese, chicken, grape juice, etc." could turn her off of a food.
Rest is important, so you know, smells are horrendous, but being alone unless by request is sometimes horribly isolating - minutes tick by like they are an hour each. She'll feel guilty for not being able to help with house work and your child (2nd HG, right?) so try to minimize that if you can. There is a Father's forum for you to help with coping - my husband moderates, and I'll make sure he gets on there today. Feel free to ask questions anywhere. We really appreciate supportive husbands, and all they do for us! We're here to help you and your wife.
Take care and please keep us up to date.
Andy (Andrea)
Mom to Aaron 14 (HG), Anna 11 (HG), Adam 8 (adopted), Andrew 8 (adopted), fostering a newborn . . .