The last dozen days have been the most difficult of this pregnancy so far. It started with either food poisoning or stomach flue and progressively got worse. Yesterday I had an IV treatment which has made me feel better than I have in months. "Everyone" said "Oh you'll feel better after 12 weeks", then it was 16, then 20. Well, I am 22 weeks with hyperemesis and have finally accepted that my whole pregnancy will most likely be a difficult one. BUMMER!!! Apparently, I am one of "those" lucky women.
....I know there is going to be a lot of comments with a lot of suggestions. Which trust me, I DO appreciate, however, at 22 weeks I have tried everything and I practically live at the doctors office. Last week alone I had 6 appointment, 3 of which were in one day.
So anyhow, here is where I currently stand. I am 15-20 pounds underweight..(still have not gained a single pound) in spite of the fact that I eat every hour. When I do eat, food feels like it is poisoning me and I can only get a few bites in at a time. So I have to make sure that every bite counts and is full of the most nutrition possible for baby. vomiting and diarrhea are just a part of my everyday experience now. Super fun time folks!
I had my mid-way ultra sound yesterday and it was bittersweet. Genetically and anatomically baby is perfect...whew! But there are problems (obviously) with getting baby all the nutrients she needs which I don't want to go into detail with that publicly. Also, I have been having contractions since week 17. I was concerned about them but everyone kept saying..."Oh they are just Braxton-Hicks and you are just feeling them earlier than most women." So this whole time I have been thinking this was "normal" and since I have been having them for 5 weeks, I have gotten use to them. Come to find out this is NOT normal, there are issues with my cervix and now I am on yet another medication to stop them. Whoo hoo...the fun never stops!
So my goal for the next 4 months or so is to try to get this baby to grow normally and to not have her come out too early. No stress there!
All this on top of everything else that has come crashing down in our lives. Some of which is just too depressing to even put into words. Whatever!
Why doesn't God just strike me down and get it over with??? Seriously!
Day in and day out of pain, misery and diminishing hope does not make for a very jolly soul...so sorry about that one peeps!
...Since I haven't puked yet today and because of the wonderful IV, I have a little more energy than usual, so I am going to seek solace in my studio. Hopefully that will cheer me up!
24 comments:
Awwwww, Sherry, this is just miserable and I'm so sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. At some point Karma's gotta come back around and give you a hug instead of punching you in the nose. I'll intercede with all the powers-that-be that might listen to me and send you good vibes -- there doesn't seem to be much else we can do but be verbally supportive!
Sherry, I'm so sorry. I know nothing any of us can say will make it better, but nonetheless, I am praying for you and sending good thoughts your way! Hope several miracles happen and things are better for you very soon.
Sometimes the powers that be decide that someone needs to become stronger. I had a friend who went through the early contractions like you are. She ended up going nearly full term - went into labor at just under 38 weeks, and her whole pregnancy was full of ups and downs.
It may not seem like it, but it will get better. We're keeping you in our thoughts!
I wish I had a magic wand and could make it all better. Since I don't, I'm still praying for you. I know it's not much comfort, but at least you've passed the halfway point. I'm glad you're able to get some studio time in today, and I hope that it will help you as well.
Oh, Sherry. Luckily...you are the sweet thing that you are, and because you have given us a glimpse into your current turmoil...you have a lot of loving women you are praying for God to be with you and your little one. I have never heard of challenges to this degree before, but with His help...you will come away stronger and better for all of it...
Look how marvellously talented you are...you can do it, you know you can. And when you see that little face...you know it will all be worth it...!
So sorry things are no better in your life, my thoughts are with you and your husband at this difficult time. I hope things will now improve for you.
Hi!
I'm normally just a lurker but I just wanted to say I'm sorry you're having to go through all this. I haven't had to deal with this extreme hyperemesis, but I had a friend who had it the entire pregnancy too. I'm not sure she ever got above her prepregnancy weight. She did make it through, with a perfect little girl, and even went on to have a second child (with much fewer problems the second time through). Anyway, I just wanted to wish you good luck over the next months! I'm sure it's even harder to deal with other things on top of this. I hope you were able to enjoy a little time of feeling good and doing something you love.
Sherry unfortunately pregnancies as bad as yours have to be seen to be believed. My friend Sal has only one child for a reason and her sister was on IV the whole time for her last child. Its horrible and worse for you because your hubby is often gone. I'm so sorry that you are having this experience. If the baby is healthy that's good and every week more you can keep the baby incubating is a bonus. Thinking of you.
I give thanks that difficult pregnancies are not the norm and so wish that you were enjoying one of those norms. As one of those apparently rare women who also doesn't get the norms, I can tell you that there is hope. I have two lovely daughters who were a challenge to get into this world. My symptoms were very much like yours. I managed to avoid a hospital stay for dehydration the second time around because I realized early what was happening. In spite of weight loss that was not regained until late in my pregnancies, months of contractions, and even early dilation, both of my deliveries were full term and my babies were quite healthy. I pray for you, your baby, and your mate. I know trouble often seems to come in floods rather than dribbles. May you find some peace and joy in every day.
you know what with my boys i was sick my ENTIRE pregnancy! I had lost 40 lbs but the time i was half through. only in my last month i gained anything. i was so drained and i was so pressured about loosing weight but it wasn't my fault. just relax and let your body do its thing. sorry your having a rough pregnacy
Best wishes. Guess you won't be on the "I didn't know I was pregnant" show. Day at a time. Easy for me to say!
I'm so sorry for what you are going through - this is supposed to be a happy time, not a miserable time. You are so talented it is just a shame that you are going through such pain. Here's hoping that it does get better for you and that the baby is ok.
Sherry,
You are taking care of yourself and Little Miss Picadilly, so I won't say anything about that. Just know that I am praying for the good health of both of you. Hopefully, things will get better all around.
Big hugs,
Hegla
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I have no antidotes...except I got really tired of people saying, "You haven't had that baby yet? You are big as a house!" Cheese Louise.
I am empathetic to the core. I was hoping your "company" would take your mind off 'stuff' for a few minutes; but, you are slogged under...
Of course, you are in my prayers. Unfortunately, the answers can be wait, or no....It isn't magical thinking after all. But I do know that there is a reason for everything that happens to us...and I know you will grow through the experience. You've already faced more challenges in life than the rest of us....just don't give up! What ever! Don't loose hope...I know that's hard when you are hugging the commode...but in your heart of hearts, have faith for He is faithful.
This is one of those things that there is so much felt and so little one can say that has any meaning at all.
I love you...
As Job said, "Tho he Slay me, yet will I trust Him." Sherry that has been my mantra through birthing, car accidents, and 3 x's with cancer...and even today with the kidney failure...that is my song...
Visualize a warm hug from a grandma that cares about you......grams
Hi Sherry, I wish you lived close so that I could give you a huge hug and cook you the best food in the world to tempt your tastebuds. Hang in there my friend and when you see that angelic face for the first time I know you will forget how hard the pregnancy was.
I just read this..
"Women who have no morning sickness are more likely to miscarry or to bear children with birth defects. This is presumably because such women are more likely to ingest substances that are toxic to the fetus."
Well... I guess that means you are going to have a Superbaby! Good luck with feeling better.. keep your eye on the prize.. little baby girl!!
Sending wishes, thoughts, and prayers for better tomorrows.......and a healthy, happy baby.
Sherry, We are so sorry to hear you are still not feeling well. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Dave and Jo
It sounds like Hell, I am so sorry. I checked the article on Hyperemesis Gravidarum on Wikipedia, but you are no doubt cognescent with all the available information via internet...anyway there was no great help there, but it might be useful as a pointer for those who think it's just "bad morning sickness".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperemesis_gravidarum
Wishing you a speedy healing and a happy and healthy baby.
I have a daughter who suffers from a form of hyperemesis with her seizures and my heart goes out to you! Be gentle to yourself and try to think calm and peaceful thoughts for your precious one.
Sherry, my heart goes out to you. *hugs*
I hope that when you are feeling down, Mojo there will help to put a smile on your face. If even for a moment. I do hope the best for you and your growing baby girl. *more hugs*
Sherry, my daughter also had the pregnancy from hell. She is fortunate to live in a large city, her Dr. called in specealists to help her get thru the pregnancy. she was in and out of the hospital and had several operations, one is called a cercloge which closes the cervix and helped her maintain the pregnancy. see if there are any ob specialists that can help you get thru the pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby. She had identical twin girls and had twin to twin transfusion syndrone. try looking around for a special specialist that deals with difficult pregnancies. I will pray for you. Prayer can work miricals. It did for us. Gma B.
I am so sorry, my dear Sherry. I had so hoped your misery would pass and you could enjoy the growing of your child. I have no suggestions, as I have never been pregnant. Just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and that I love you. My lack of communication is in no way a measure of my love for you. I am just not well and can't see! Hang in there best you can. Love you, Lala
Aside from the weekly ultrasounds, it sounds like this pregnancy is the pits! I'm so sorry that after all the sickness now you have a triple whammy!
Bedrest can be maddening, but I, for one, will try my darnest to publish entertaining blog posts to keep you distracted, at least for a little while.
If video chats would help, I will happily oblige with Skype! Just email me privately and we can set up a date and time.
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