Pregnancy Journal

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. It is generally described as unrelenting, excessive pregnancy-related nausea and/or vomiting that prevents adequate intake of food and fluids. If severe and/or inadequately treated, it is typically associated with:

• loss of greater than 5% of pre-pregnancy body weight (usually over 10%)
• dehydration and production of ketones
• nutritional deficiencies
• metabolic imbalances
• difficulty with daily activities

HG usually extends beyond the first trimester and may resolve by 21 weeks; however, it can last the entire pregnancy in less than half of these women. Complications of vomiting (e.g. gastric ulcers, esophageal bleeding, malnutrition, etc.) may also contribute to and worsen ongoing nausea.

There are numerous theories regarding the etiology of hyperemesis gravidarum. Unfortunately, HG is not fully understood and conclusive research on its potential cause is rare. New theories and findings emerge every year, substantiating that it is a complex physiological disease likely caused by multiple factors.

Diagnosis is usually made by measuring weight loss, checking for ketones, and assessing the overall condition of the mother. If she meets the standard criteria and is having difficulty performing her daily activities, medications and/or other treatments are typically offered.

Treating HG is very challenging and early intervention is critical. HG is a multifaceted disease that should be approached with a broad view of possible etiologies and complications. When treating mothers with HG, preventing and correcting nutritional deficiencies is a high priority to promote a healthy outcome for mother and child.

Most studies examining the risks and outcomes for a pregnant woman with nausea and vomiting in pregnancy find no detrimental effects long-term for milder cases. Those with more severe symptoms that lead to complications, severe weight loss, and/or prolonged nausea and vomiting are at greatest risk of adverse outcomes for both mother and child. The risk increases if medical intervention is inadequate or delayed.

The list of potential complications due to repeated vomiting or severe nausea is extensive, all of which may worsen symptoms. Common complications from nausea and vomiting include debilitating fatigue, gastric irritation, ketosis, and malnutrition. Aggressive care early in pregnancy is very important to prevent these and more life-threatening complications such as central pontine myolinolysis or Wernicke's encephalopathy. After pregnancy and in preparation of future ones, it is important to address any resulting physical and psychological complications.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum impacts societies, families and individuals. Recent, conservative estimations suggest HG costs nearly $200 million annually just for inpatient hospitalization. Considering many women are treated outside the hospital to save costs, the actual cost is likely many times greater. Beyond financial impact, many family relationships dissolve and future family plans are almost always limited. Women often lose their employment because of HG, and women are frequently undertreated and left feeling stigmatized by a disease erroneously presumed to be psychological.

Hello, Thuyvi!

Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks.

 I have Hyperemesis Gravidarum  , so it has been very stressful these past couple of weeks. It gets kinda depressing because I feel as if I'm creating a malnutritious baby. It's hard because I get so hungry and my stomach is growling, but once I take a bite, the consequences are episodes of persistent vomiting until my chest caves in and I start to have abdominal pain. Sometimes, it can be so unbearable...the burning from my acid.  It kinda comes and goes as it pleases. Kinda like a nightmare. But eventually it goes away and I'm fine to breathe normal again.

 I can say that I am fortunate though,  because I have read that other women out there have it up to their 6th month, and have lossed up to 35 lbs! It's really tough at times, but I am constantly reminded by my husband that in the end it will all be worth it. I believe that it will be...I'm excited for that day.

Phenegran is my life saver, it really helps with the constant vomiting 20+ times a day. The only problem with taking phenegran, I'm unable to do anything else for the rest of the day or at least most of the day. I'm unable to function and it knocks me out. I forgot to mention the part where it's a dispository, so I take it up the butt and it dissolves. Hah! That seems to always get a chuckle out of people. Lately, I have found alot of comfort talking to other women with similar problems in their 9th week. It's very comforting to know that I'm not the only one and there are others feeling exactly how I'm feeling.

Still, I'm looking for a brighter day...where I can sit down and eat a big fattening meal without feeling sick =(

Other than that, I've been keeping myself hydrated and I started drinking alot of milk this week, so this is definitely BIG progress over last weekend! I'm still down 5lbs, but I'm looking forward to changing that!

 I can't believe its been three weeks already since we've found out that we are expecting. Last week we got to see your heartbeat for the very first time. I would compare your heartbeat to the fast pace of a galloping horse. Ahhhh I still can't seem to grip onto those words that came out of Doctor Elizabeth Gannon that day when she said,  " Your test came out positive, you are very pregnant". Day after day, it starts to sink in...wow you are that miracle that is growing inside of me. It's a wonderful feeling, aside from all the nauseated moments and sharp cramping pain shooting in my abdomen. For the first time in my life, someone else's life is depending on mine... it's amazing. The thought of it puts me into tears sometimes because I'm so overwhelmed with it all. I know this will be life changing and things will never be the same anymore, but I also know that my life will be complete. I've found my soulmate and now we have created something so delicate, yet so beautiful. I know that our original plan was to wait a few years before we make such a commitment in starting a family, but I have always believed that everything happens for a reason, and god has chosen this time to bless us. I will take this on gracefully and promise that I will do whatever it takes to protect and love my lil angel unconditionally.

Mood: Happy/hungry

Haven't had severe morning sickness in 2 weeks now! Congrats to me...I'm so HAPPY!

**As long as I'm not in the ER, I'm okay**

breakfast: 3 pieces of toasts, 2 eggs and 2 glasses of cranapple juice(my new obsession to quench my thirst =))

lunch: boston markets 1/4 rotisserie chicken, greenbeans, and cranapple juice YUM.

snacks in between: Chips Ahoy chewy chocolate chip, fruit roll up, twinkie

Dinner: undecided yet, I'm sitting here hungry and wondering what to eat next ( while your daddy is playing his video games)

Cravings: pancakes(it's just a phase, I don't even like pancakes and I think it's because Diem mentioned the yesterday), red rice with ga ro ti, CORN, some fruit cups

things that will make me cringe: greasy foods, italian food, anything saucy with tomatoes!

Belly: very bloated, I think I have a little bump showing today, but it may just be my bloating tummy.

Next Doctore visit is on April 29th (I'll be 9 weeks and will be hearing the heartbeat as well as see ur jellybean body ...hopefully I'll see you wave or do something crazy =)..hehe

:: Posting up pics soon to document my precious one growing!::