Severe Morning Sickness

I have heard of other people being hospitalized for the same, so don't feel bad. It is serious and you should definitely get some rest. I felt sick in the beginning and then realized that my vitamins were very strong and were not helping me at all whatsoever, so I started taking them at night. I feel crazy because I am 29 weeks and all I can do is cry.

Hi M.,
This is my first child and i am 14 weeks, before i hit my second trimester i was the same way but all i did was wait it out and some days i felt better than others but if you can find medication that helps take it i would have.

I am a full time working Mom who is 11 weeks pregnant and I have the same thing. I am also on the same medicines and nothing is helping. This is my second pregnancy, my first was the same way. I can't tell you anything that will make it better, but I can sympathize with you, and let you know you're not abnormal. Once I get home in the evenings I may or may not cook something for my son and husband to eat, and I pretty much go directly to bed, except to make my trips to the bathroom. My husband has really had to step up but it is hard b/c he travels almost every week. My parents live too far away to help, so you're lucky to have them for support. The only suggestion I have yet to try is lime green gator aid w/ a little lemon juice. This was given to me from a friend the other night. I have tried SO many other things. Ginger ale makes me even more sick, I can't look at crackers, and so I kinda have my doubts about the gator aid, but hey maybe it will work for you. Best of luck, hang in there..... only a few more weeks and hopefully it will be a thing of the past.

I'm right there with you. My first was bad and my second was TERRIBLE. My doctor had me followed by a prenatal home health company called Matria. They were wonderful. One of their suggestions when the nausea was at its worse was to try eating only a tablespoon every hour of anything I thought I could keep down. After a few hours I could either increase the amount I was eating or decrease the amount of time in between, gradually of course. I was also on a Reglan pump for 6 months with the second one but be carefull with that if you are prone to depression.

I know the guilt you feel at not being able to take care of your children. My son was 4 during my second pregnancy and I felt like he was raising himself. It wasn't easy chasing him with an IV pole. We played a lot of card and board games while I laid in bed. Don't be ashamed to ask for help. You need it!! My mom and M-I-L would come and clean house and do laundry periodically, even though I lived 2 hours away. Sometimes they would take my son for the weekend.

Try not to let on to the kids that you feel bad "because of the baby." It's fine that they know you're sick but you don't want them to resent the baby. Sibling rivalry is hard enough.

Even though I continues to throw up almost every morning before my daughter was born, the constant, debilitating nausea did go away.

I hope this is at least some encouragement, if not actual help. If you need to talk or just vent, I'm available. You can contact me directly and I can give you my number. Try to hang in there and remember that this doesn't last forever (even though it feels like it). Don't be afraid to ask your close friends or church family for help. Maybe they can help provide some meals for your family or just give you a break by taking the kids to the park or something.

Hang in there and God Bless!

i just went back and read some of the other posts. I was on all the same meds you are on and my children are wonderfully healthy and extremely bright. Neither of them had any adverse effects from the meds I was on and I was even on Prozac with the second one. I am a nurse and I don't just blindly take what my doctor tells me to. I tried the "natural remedies" and they DID NOT work for me. Do what you feel is right for you and your baby and don't let anyone scare you into doing it their way.

I was very sick with both of my pregnancies (girls), even more so with my second baby. One thing I tried was eating protein. If I ate protein at night, it seemed to make the following morning easier. I think it sticks with you longer and gives your body what it needs. As much as I coulnd't stand to eat, I'd force myself to eat some chicken or something small at night and it seemed to help some.I have also heard that you can take papaya tablets which are used for digestion problems. I wish I had a great cure to offer you. I never found something that worked great, just some small things that seemed to help.

I sympathize with you! When I had this trouble I found that certain flavors helped. Drinking lemonade, sour candy. I found some "Preggy Pops" on line that had ginger, lavender, sour flavors. They really did help.

Everyone's different so they may not work for you, but worth a try! Good luck!

M.,
I was really sick with my second and third pregnancies too, all day, vomiting, weight loss, etc. With my third, I learned about a B vitamin (I'm sorry I don't remember which one, but you could ask your dr.) that I started taking and it helped tremendously. I felt so much relief from the nausea after I started taking it. I tried EVERYTHING else before and this was all that worked. I hope youare able to find relief soon.

My 2nd pregnancy was the worst, but some how I made it through with Phenergan suppositories, Reglan, Ginger Ale, Gatorade, saltine crackers, instant mashed potatoes, and Popsicles. My 3rd sister had it far worse than anyone else in our family. Her experience was similar to yours with the dehydration. My problems cleared up after the 4th month, but my sister's lasted the whole pregnancy,easing up a little in the last 2 months. Forcing yourself to try to have lots of little meals and sipping on Ginger Ale or Gatorade throughout the day may help. I hope some of this will help.

I recently underwent surgery with a rough recovery. I was really, really nauseated. Before I was released from the hospital, the doctor let me borrow a "ReliefBand", which is a watch like device you wear on a pressure point on your wrist and sends out a small shock (feels tingly). This will definately stop your morning sickness. If you google "relief band" there are several different sites in which to find out more information and purchase it. This is something you should really look into, it helped me so much.

Don't know if there's any truth to this, but my MIL (who is a labor and delivery nurse) said that nausea usually means you have a vitamin deficiency of one of the B vitamins....can't remember if it was B-12 or one of the other ones. Hope that helps.

I've always heard morning sickness USUALLY ends after the first trimester too, so hopefully you only have a couple more weeks. Good luck and congrats!!!!

I can really relate. I have had severe morning sickness that lasts well into the second trimester with both of my pregnancies. It's just horrible. Prescription and OTC medicines never worked (and some just made it worse!) but here are a few things that gave me relief and made the morning sickness bearable.

Sea Bands! It's such a simple thing, but they truly do help. Sea Bands are a form of acupressure and it will help very quickly.

Acupuncture did wonders for me, but make sure you see someone who has had experience with a pregnant patient. Each session would "last" a few days to a few weeks for me.

Chiropractic care also helped me, though not as much as I would have liked.

Taking a B6 and B12 supplement.

Eating lots of small frequent meals high in protein. Just keep constantly munching on something.

And finally - try to stay positive. It will pass and in the end it will all be worth it! :)

Hi M.,

I'm going to tell you something I didn't know when I was pregnant!!! The reason you are nauseas is because the baby is taking the nutrition it needs from you. You obviously don't have enough left over to keep you from getting sick or to keep your energy level up. The old wives tale about "the sicker you are, the healthier the baby is" is somewhat right. The baby is getting a lot more than you! As my Mama put it, he's sucking the life out of you! :)

A quick fix is Ginger. Ginger ale (real ginger in it not flavoring), ginger snaps (real ginger in them, not flavoring), and for serious morning sickness, Ginger capsules that you can get at the Health food store. Ginger is soothing to the stomach and also is good for the digestion.

I was nauseas from the moment I conceived until the moment I delivered with my first one. The second go round was easier because I had learned a little. I DO KNOW THAT you need to be on a prenatal that is actually absorbing into your system so you have the nutrition to give to the baby. Most vitamins, even those prescribed by doctors, don't. I can recommend one if you need me to.

Congratulations and God bless!

M.

Be concerned. I almost lost my son when I was 3 months along. I was so dehydrated I threw up all his ameotic fluid and was throwing up my own fat. Go to the doctor and ask for supposatories. They worked a well for me. I was still morning sick but not all day. Drink gatoraid or pedialyte(sp) you need to replenish your electrolytes constantly when you are like this. I was told saltine crackers help some people they didn't me but you might want to try putting saltines by your bed and when you wake up eat a cracker before you get up.

Hi M.,

Have you considered a natural approach to the sickness? These prescriptions can be extremely dangerous and the pepcid disrupts the balance of acids and such and will exacerbate the problem in time. Ginger root has a wonderful reputation for morning sickness and it's safe! It helps improve digestion and helps the body efficiently move out waste also. You can buy fresh ginger root at the grocery store and grate it finely and steep in boiling water for several minutes and serve with lemon and honey for a delicious remedy. Or you can buy the dried ginger root and make a herbal infusion this way. (you'll need about a tsp of dried root per 8 -10 oz cup of water; simmer on stovetop in a small sauce pan for 20 minutes, strain and enjoy with fresh lemon and honey) If it's too spicy for your taste, add the herbal infusion to some fruit juice.

For severe vomitting, I would think that you are disturbing the balance in your digestive tract with the meds. There are some other herbs available to restore balance to the mucosa of the digestive tract. Slippery Elm bark, triphala-- these are wonderful safe herbs to restore that balance.

Let me know if you'd like more info. and I hope you get past this soon!

Love,
C.
www.LostRiverNaturals.com
Handcrafted Herbal Organics

I am so sorry... I know what you are going through... I was in/out of the hospital for the same thing at least 5 times with my pregnancies (5 & 2 yoa boys).... The vitamin you are thinking of is B6 unfortunately it did not work for me nor did any of the other meds you mention, as I tried them all.... there is one more thing that could be the saving grace, the Zofran Pump.

It is an actual needle which stays in you at all times (doesn't hurt a bit!) and has a carrying case with the electronics similar to an IV that regulates the med to ensure you are consistently receiving the meds directly into your system as apposed to via your stomach.... A home medical aid will come and train you on how to use it and will assist you with it in the beginning. I have a fried who is currenlty using it and it was like night and day for her too.... I wish you all the best!!! I hope you are able to find comfort somehow! God Bless!

I had severe morning sickness with my first pregnancy and there were a couple things that seemed to help. I carried a pack of saltine crackers around with me everywhere even at work. Whenever I got nausea I would eat a cracker or two. I also had a pack beside the bed and would eat a couple before I even got out of bed. I also used the sour apple preggie pop drops. They helped while I was eating them. The saltines will also help with dehydration, since salt helps your body retain water. It got a little better around week 14, but it lasted through my second trimester. I am currently about 15 weeks with our second child and the morning sickness has been severe, however, I am starting to feel some relief. My sister is 10 weeks and is having the same problem. This is her fourth child and she has never had morning sickness. She tried the medicine and it made everything worse, when she stopped it she began to feel better. I understand the feeling of not being able to take care of your other two boys. You are so fortunate that you have family to help you through this. I hope you get to feeling well soon.

Ginger and chamomile is good for nausea. Ginger is even better for morning sickness.

I wouldn't be taking (especially during the first trimester) any drugs right now.

have you asked your doctor about hyperemesis? it's baically extreme morning sickness. I had it w/both my kids. if you have a scrip for zofran & your insurance covers it, that's what you should take. it's really effective & it won't make you sleepy like the phenegran. i ended up on home health care, so i could get iv fluids at home when i got dehydrated. i also had to get a zofran pump that delivers medication constantly. ask your ob about matria home healtcare.

good luck

I went through this as well. It seemed like I was in the hospital or at the OB/GYN's office at least once a week for dehydration. I started throwing up 2 days before I even found out I was pregnant and didn't stop until after the emergency c-section(even threw up during the 14 hours of labor prior to the c-section!) I actually went into the hospital to deliver weighing 4 pounds less than I did before I got pregnant and left 29 pounds lighter. Use the Zophran-it works better than the phernergan(and you can get a pump that keeps it in your system). This one never worked for me, but the doctors all told me to keep pretzels or crackers by my bed and to eat a few before I ever let my feet hit the ground. Try that, maybe it will help you. Skim milk, popsicles, peanut butter and lemonade did help me, though. B6 also helps some people, but it didn't help me.

The other thing I can say is that you are probably having a girl. Your body's hormones are already crazy and then if you are having a girl, add those hormones as well and that is a bad combo for those of us that are prone to morning (or all day) sickness. My daughter will be 3 in January and I did not have one day during my entire pregnancy that I did not throw up a few times at least. It was all worth it, though. hang in there!

I had to go back and add that I was not only on all of these meds, but I also was told to stop taking my pre-natal vitamins b/c of being so sick and my almost 3 year old daughter is perfect. Natural or holistic may work for some, but not for me. As a matter of fact, a natural vitamin can make me throw up quicker than just about anything(even when I am not pregnant).

Hi M.,
I don't have any suggestions on what to try, because my last pregnancy was 19 years ago, but I wanted to let you know that you are NOT abnormal. I had such severe morning sickness that it lasted all day every day for the first six months I was pregnant with both of my daughters. With my second daughter, I lost 27 pounds before I started gaining, and I never did reach my pre-pregnancy weight before I gave birth. The only thing available for me at that time was Phenergan, and it didn't help. I spent a lot of time lying on my right side with a cool cloth on my head. That was really the only thing that kind of helped.

I'm sorry I don't have any more advice for you. But just be encouraged that you are not alone.

I completely feel for you. I am 22 weeks pregnant with my second child and went through horrible nausea and sickness with both. I take Pepcid 2x a day. That helps a little with acid reflux. Zofran usually works ok, but it is really expensive. I found that even though it was extremely difficult if I ate throughout the day several small meals and snacks I felt a little better. I know that eating is the last thing you want to do but it does help some. I always had crackers or pretzels to snack on. Try to stay away from tomatoes, oranges, and even chocolate as they have a higher acidity and can agrivate your stomach. My sickness went away at about 15 weeks. I hope you get feeling better, just remember how worth it it will be in the end!

Those drugs aren't good for you or the baby! Ginger (real, not artificial) as suggested is really good, as is peppermint tea or chamomile tea, and a lot gentler on your stomach. Stay hydrated with those, water, and/or sports drinks (_only_ after vomiting or in cases of significant dehydration). Eat a little bit at a time all day long and avoid rich and spicy foods. Use a wristband that presses on the acupressure nausea point (like this one http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=152291&amp... for $9). Don't overdo! You and your baby are top priorities, not your job, not the laundry or the housecleaning or entertaining or running errands. If all that doesn't do the trick, try EFT (http://www.emofree.com/) which may help with the lack of energy as well as the nausea.

Try drinking one cup of coffee or tea or a coke in the mornings. One small cup of caffeine in the mornings helped me with the severe nausea I had in the beginning with both my second and third pregnancies. Also, just eat a bland diet or anything that your stomach will tolerate. Take out all sugar and really rich foods. I hope that the nausea goes away for you soon. Hang in there.

I see that someone mentioned Ginger... that is a very good thing. The other thing I recommend is eating in the middle of the night! When your stomach is empty, women usually get the worst morning sickness. (Thus "morning" sickness). Get something in your belly in the middle of the night... have some string cheese, or other food by your bed that you can munch on when you get up to go to the bathroom in the night... (before you start felling queasy). Or go have a bowl of cereal! Also drink some juice in the night! Don't let your stomach get to that empty point.. plus if you do still get a little sick, you will have some nutrients in your body, so hopefully, won't be so dehydrated.

pepermint oil! just go to the natural food store sometimes in reg. food store in the spices. take the sm bottle between index finger & thumb (covering entire top oppening w/finger).
invert & upright again then touch index finger to your tongue.
carry it around w/you & anytime you feel sick ...do it again.
no side affects, & I belive you will be able to get off the other stuff!

Are you pregnant with twins/multiples by chance? Are you sick throughout the day or just in the morning or at night or both? I vomited every day till 14 weeks along with my twins. I never had any energy and just wanted to sleep all the time at first. The doctor prescribed me Phenergan as well however I worked full-time and couldn't take it because it made me even more tired than I already was! However, I have heard recently from co-workers of mine that were recently pregnant and they were precribed some other type of medication for pregnancy that DOES NOT make you tired. Perhaps you could discuss this with your OB/GYN. Otherwise all I can say is this too shall pass. I know it's not much to hear right now but it will.

Hi M.,

I had extreme morning sickness and had gone to the ER twice within my first 5 months as I was throwing up blood. They too gave me zolfran (which made me sicker) and phenergan and told me to stay in bed, drink my liquids and get some rest. Finally after 5 months had past it was like a light switch went off, however I still got morning/day/night sickness about every two weeks.

My chiropractor who belives in holistic healing told me that my hormones are so off since I was pregnant with a boy.

That was my first pregnancy so we will see what happens in the future, if and when I get pregnant again.

Best of Luck to you!

Hello M.,

My OBGYN suggested 50 mg of vitamin B-6 twice a day to help with my morning sickness. It seemed to worked very well with me. Hope this helps.

J.

I suffered from the same thing all 9 months. I was in and out of the hospital. I have heard of many other Dr.'s putting a pic line into woman for this reason and they can go home and always have it in. I wish my Dr. did this for me. Hang in there it is not easy!

My doc. gave me prescribe vitamins with omega, calcium, and then gave me vitamin B, all the B vitamins. It was a blue pill, when I took it. I had morn. sickness and when my doc prescribed me the B vitamin/combo that really helped me with the morn. sickness, alot.

Babies r us has some of those pops for morning sickness, they do help. It's hard, I know what works for one person may or may not work for another. You aren't abnormal I just hope you don't have this the entire time. It's a bit different for everyone. I used the Charms sour pops I bought online and they helped me. I had one in my mouth so often with the last baby I thought all my teeth would fall out they didn't. This will pass, best wishes.