I’m 19 weeks today and not only have stopped loosing weight, I’ve been able to put on 2lbs. I am 128lbs now, only 5 pounds less than my pre-pregnancy weight. I am taking between 16 and 32mg of zofran a day as needed. I’m still having some trouble holding down any supplements, I think they are just too aggressive on my stomach and they tend to come right back at me, but staying fairly well hydrated and not throwing up as much. The nausea is becoming more related to activity and stress rather than just being constant. Usually, my NVP lasts until shortly after labor and delivery, but trends towards being manageable with medication after 20 weeks, so this is very exciting. I am beginning to be more active around the house and I’ve even done a little hot food preparation without throwing up. I just need to remember to be careful. It’s very difficult to restrain myself from overdoing it. I never considered myself a very active person until I became so dreadfully inactive. I’ve also discovered compulsive tendencies I was previously unaware of in myself.
Baby seems to be doing well. I can find him/her and feel kick and its back moving around in my belly. Baby is about 6 inches long now. Our big ultrasound is scheduled for December 6th. I am quite excited about that! A friend lent me her fetal doppler so I’ve been able to hear that lovely swish swish swish at will on days when I’m feeling particularly discouraged. Only another month before this little person is viable in the event of an emergency. I can’t tell how much of it is nesting and how much of it is sick of being useless, but we’ve begun to make plans for home improvement and making room for baby. Ben surrendered half of his office to be Jude’s new bedroom and the newbie will take over the nursery (don’t worry, the giant snake has been rehomed.) I am looking forward to gradually redecorating my house. It gives me something else to focus on and work towards. I love projects!
Another HG mom showed me this podcast the BBC did on NVP (morning sickness) with a special focus on Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Around 16 minutes into the program they talk about the mental and emotional repercussions that I found very encouraging. It helps to know that what I experience isn’t crazy because it sure feels that way sometimes. I’ve always felt especially guilty about being sick. 20 years ago HG moms were sent to mental hospitals because doctors commonly thought we were self inflicting the condition. Of course they know that is rubbish now, but sometimes in the thick of it, the whole thing just gets so overwhelming that I want the answer to be that simple and that easily solved. This is my first pregnancy working with a high risk specialist and it has certainly made a difference. Even if they still don’t know what causes it or how to fix this disease, working with someone who has dealt with it before makes it so much less discouraging. I am seeing noted improvements over my previous pregnancies. He is treating the spectrum of symptoms better instead of just trying to manage the severest of physical ones. It is helping so much. If you are interested in listening to the program it’s about 30 minutes long and you can find and download it here: http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/medmatters/medmatters_20110301-2200a.mp3
Tags: hyperemesis
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