Rebecca Welton tells us how she suffered from Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) during both of her pregnancies and how she lost two stone as a result of dehydration and constant nausea.
There is no conclusive research about why some women suffer from HG but about 2% of pregnant women are diagnosed with it.
A few weeks into my first pregnancy, I started to feel nauseous, which I thought was perfectly normal. But by six weeks, I started vomiting; twice a day at first, but then twice an hour. I tried everything, from anti-sickness bands to eating ginger.
Nothing helped and I quickly became dehydrated. My doctor diagnosed me with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), which means excessive vomiting in pregnancy.
I was sent to hospital, where anti-sickness injections and a saline drip rehydrated me, and meant I could keep food and water down. After a couple of days I was back home. I went into a cycle of feeling nauseous, but able to keep down biscuits and ice-lollies, then the vomiting would start again and I would end up back in hospital.
A few days later I’d be home again and the cycle would start over. As movement seemed to make it worse, I spent my days only going from my bed to the bathroom and back again.
I quickly lost two stone in weight. I stopped working for nearly six months. I didn’t see friends and family, and felt miserable. The only respite I had from the constant nausea was sleeping.
John, my husband, was amazing: he fetched food whenever I felt I could keep something down, and encouraged me to eat even when I didn’t. Most importantly, he held my hand, stroked my hair, and told me I would get through this.
By seven months, the nausea had eased off and by the time Alexandra was born, I was bubbling with excitement (see picture left).
Tips for dealing with HG
When I got pregnant for the second time, I dreaded the prospect of going through HG again.
John was my saviour and his words became my mantra – that we would get through this together.
When I started feeling nauseous the doctors immediately put me on anti-sickness pills. I still had the all-consuming, constant nausea, but I didn’t have the dangerous vomiting this time.
Once again, I spent the first few months in bed – any movement made me sick, but I kept out of hospital.
It has been quite a journey and, while I can’t say I enjoyed my pregnancies, as I watch my children laugh and play, I know it was all worth it.
For information and support after a challenging experience of pregnancy, birth or parenthood, call NCT’s helpline on 0300 330 0770
Read more about nausea and vomiting in pregnancy on our website
For more information about HG, visit Pregnancy Sickness Support
