02/26/2025
Pregnancy was not what I expected
Ever heard of Hyperemesis Gravidarum? Aka HG.
I hadn’t. I knew most women in my family were violently ill when they were pregnant. But I thought I lived a really healthy lifestyle and was fit and strong so I was going to be fine. Turns out that doesn’t matter whatsoever.
My first 20 weeks of being pregnant I had HG, extreme morning sickness… all day, all night sickness really. The nausea was so bad, I couldn’t stand the smell of our home, my husband, any food. I was vomiting up to 15 times a day and ended up getting put on an IV from dehydration.
It was hell. All I could think about in my head was how to survive each day. It took a huge mental toll on me and was very traumatic. (I ended up getting hypnosis so I could live in our yurt peacefully!) I couldn’t do anything to make it better, I couldn’t even keep and ice cube in my mouth without vomiting.
Those dearest to me know I don’t like taking medication and have to be on deaths door before I even take an Advil. I was prescribed Zofran at 14 weeks. I felt so defeated, I didn’t want to be taking medication whilst trying to grow my baby, but I really couldn’t go on the way I was. It was a saviour I tell you! I still had the nausea but no more vomiting.
During this time I also had to work because Mark had lost his job and I remember in the middle of winter wearing shorts, a singlet top, having the windows open and a cold towel around my neck whilst trying to massage clients!
I learnt that all my tools from life really couldn’t help me, all I had was resilience and hope.
Pregnancy really is a wild ride and everyone’s experience is so different. Support the women around you, check in on them! A woman’s body is incredibly strong but it doesn’t mean we have to be all the time 💜✨
Those with HG or have had HG, my heart is with you!! Hang in there, there’s a huge gift at the end of the tunnel.