Morning sickness

Ugh. The one thing I DREAD about being pregnant is morning sickness. I know that if you have morning sickness it means that the new life inside of you is healthy and growing normally, and it normally lasts until 12-15 weeks.

For me that is a bit different. I have what is called hyperemesis gravidarum. The definition provided by the National Library of Medicine says this about it:

"Hyperemesis gravidarum is extreme, persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that may lead to dehydration. "

This lovely condition is one of the reasons why I was hospitalized a few times with my first pregnancy, and why I have already been hospitalized with my current pregnancy. I was hospitalized so I could get several bags of IV fluid, and so that the doctors could monitor me and the baby. 

The reason that this is so important to monitor for me, is because I have lost so much weight. In my first pregnancy, I lost over 30 pounds in 6 weeks. In this pregnancy, I have lost 14. Being able to keep very little down in your second trimester isn't normal. If you are experiencing hard morning sickness, talk to your OB. 

Because of all of my morning sickness, I have developed a few tools to help keep down foods and liquids.

1. Eat what you crave. Now I'm not saying that if you are craving chocolate covered donuts(what I currently am craving) that you should go and eat 6 of them. I'm saying that if you are feeling a pull towards a certain food, it will most likely be a safe food (by safe I mean able to keep down food) for you. It should still be done in moderation though.

2.  Stay away from your nausea triggers as much as possible. For me, smells make me nauseous really easily. For example, the smell of my husbands deodorant, or the smell of eggs cooking. I love eggs. I have craved eggs. But if I have to smell them while they are cooking, it does me in. If there are times, when you can't get away from the trigger completely, (like having to change a dirty diaper, or at a restaurant) find fresh air. When I change my daughter's diaper, I keep a window open. If we are at a restaurant and I start feeling sick, I will excuse myself from the table, and go outside for a moment to breathe.

3. Carry snacks and something to suck on with you at all times. Having a small water bottle in your purse or baby bag is a good idea too. If your blood sugar level drops down too far, or if you get too dehydrated, it can make your nausea worse. I carry Jolly Ranchers (mint and I don't agree during pregnancy) and a couple granola bars in my baby bag.

4. If your prenatal vitamin is making your stomach turn, try taking it with a heavy meal. If that doesn't work, and your stomach still turns after, or hurts after, try the chewable type. I use Vitafusions' gummy prenatal vitamin. It's two small gummies that I can take at once or two times during the day. They are a lot easier on your stomach as well.

If you get put on an anti- nausea drug, watch out for REGLAN. 
There are studies showing that it can hurt the precious life inside of you. Zofran and Zenergran are still considered safe. 


Remember, this precious life inside of you is a wonderful gift. It is worth all of these temporary grievances. 

Psalm 127:3
Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.