What good lessons have come from HG?

[eliana1300]

Alright, I seem to need some encouragement. I know we all love our kids very much and would do anything for them. But besides our kids, what blessings do you have from HG? What have you learned from HG?

For instance, I learned that my DH can grow and be there for me when I need him. I also learned how to trust my body to tell me what I need to know. I have learned that by the time I can't stop myself from throwing up, I need help. I learned a lot about ketones, dehydration, vomiting, and IV/PICC therapy then I ever thought possibl. I learned that many other things in my life can wait when I need the time to care for myself or someone else, and I have also learned what can't wait or what I don't want to wait for. I have "met" so many great ladies on this site that support so many in so many ways!

So what have you all learned from your 9 months (or so) of HG? No matter how gross, funny, or painfully serious, please share any positives you have from HG (other than our kids, of course).

[mediaeval]

This is a good question. I learned to rest and to ask others for help. This was not an easy lesson for me. I'm more likely to help others than ask for myself.

[sweetpea]

I learned how to completely rely on Christ for everything, because without Him survival would have been impossible!

[jarezuny]

I like this topic.

I have learned that I am far stronger than I ever thought I was. Even though I have had moments of despair and felt hopeless at times, the fact that I have made it this far (twice) is indicative of an inner strength I didn't know was possible. In a weird way, I am proud of the HG...

[WillowB1982]

**I've learned that I am way stronger than I ever gave myself credit for.

**I've also learned that I can't do everything by myself and it's ok to ask/receive help.

** I've learned that my husband is with me through thick and thin and will remain by my side at my worst.

**I've learned to take one day at a time and cherish the days I get a little relief.

**I've learned the house will get cleaned when it gets cleaned and not to stress or worry about it.

**I've learned there are others out there that have been and are currently suffering from HG and that they truly understand.

I appreciate each and every one of you on here for your support, understanding, and sharing your stories.

[eliana1300]

In a weird way, I am proud of the HG...

This was my basis for asking the original question. I am slightly proud (not "puffing myself up" proud, just "I made it" proud) of having gone through and survived HG. And I know that there were others that saw good things from it. Since we know there are nasty, ugly, negative parts of HG, I thought it might be nice to think about the positives that came from it.

[Al]

I've thought a lot about this post. I love it because my first HG experience was so difficult, as it is for everyone, that I still get emotional and start crying when I think about it or talk about it. I echo everyone's lessons learned, especially finding my strength.

I also learned to appreciate my amazing support system like never before, and I'm better at helping people who are sick and hurting.

[OlisMommy]

I learned what real constipation is. I have had IBS-D all my life and had diarrhea everyday for my entire life. Zofran was enough for me to need an enema more than once. I now really feel sorry for people who tell me they are constipated, I will take my diarrhea anyday.

But truly I learned I can endure more physical and emotional suffering than I ever thought and survive. I learned so much about myself. My limits, my ability to cope, and my willingness to survive.

[PamelaRose]

Fabulous topic!

I learned about my own strength. I learned that no matter how bad it was for me, someone else had it worse. I learned the value of support and friendship and have thoroughly enjoyed volunteering all these years. I used the knowledge gained from my bedridden worst to help ease my father-in-law's last days. I rival my pharmacist sister-in-law in NVP drug knowledge. And my husband--I learned that he's a great dad, that he can and will manage just fine, even if it's not the way I might do it. We both learned to open up and ask for help when needed.

Small discoveries: Certain foods are more conducive to vomiting than others. Certain vomit stains can never be removed. Clean laundry will need to be rewashed to remove wrinkles if it is thrown unfolded in a chair and left for weeks. Always keep a puke bucket by the toilet to accomodate wee-pukes. There is an art to starting IVs in fragile, dehydrated veins, and there is an art to lining up the right professional to accomplish said procedure BEFORE a couple dozen attempts by the wrong professionals. Emetrol is evil, some meds are heaven-sent, and anyone who says "Oh, I was really sick, too" is usually clueless.

My favorite? My squeamish husband runs a mean PICC rehydration! It still shocks me that he managed that care detail.

[*my3sons*]

I can do a pretty good job giving shots now, though I had no prior experience.

I can do a pretty darned good job of taking care of myself. (I think that I could probably nurse myself back to health if I was rattlesnake bitten in a long, dark cave.)

[kathleen]

This is a good question. I learned to rest and to ask others for help. This was not an easy lesson for me. I'm more likely to help others than ask for myself.

This was especially hard for me, as well. I've always been the strong one you ask for help as opposed to the one doing the asking.

[Maria'sMommy]

I've learned that any day I can get out of bed means I'm going to have a great day.

[JulianaHG]

I have learned there are many many foods that hurt coming back up which you wouldn't think would!! E.g Rice and Korma!!!!

[tottie 12]

I've learned to be less presumptive or opinionated about other people's medical issues (or any issues for that matter) You really don't know or understand what other people have been through until you walk in there shoes.

[kcmommy]

I learned to stand up for myself in the face of uncaring or unwilling medical staff. My original OB/GYN did not diagnose my HG until I had lost almost 15 pounds and then would not write me a letter of medical neccesity for Zofran because my insurance would only pay for 14 pills A MONTH (after already trying Phenergan and Reglan which DID NOT WORK). All this and I worked at a hospital in drug research so I knew what I was talking about. Needless to say I got a different doctor and finally gained some weight back (and then some which is unfortunately still hanging around). We are trying for a second time around and I am hoping that this time I will be able to get some relief from a caring competent medical professional and if not, I WILL LET THEM KNOW ABOUT IT!

[nekorachan]

hmm...i could echo a lot of the posts here about finding inner strength esp. since i always felt i was a bit of a wimp...but i'll leave you all with something funny...

i learned how to drink coffee! true story...i always hated coffee till i started craving it while pg with jared...it helped with the nausea though so i wasn't going to argue...i now have a coffee maker lol

[eliana1300]

Glad to see people are still getting something out of this post! I love the fact that these boards are supposed to support each other, but I still often feel lost in the memories of all the bad stuff.

I always knew I had a lot of inner strength, but the strength of others was a new concept to me. I am glad that I have learned to talk with others about my experiences too. Even some friends that have had gallbladder issues or other problems have found support through my experience and my recognition of how terrible it can be!

Shelley, that is so funny!!! I don't like coffee even now, and never really have, but every once in a while, I have a craving for it. Since/Because of HG, my cravings are irresistible, but I don't own a coffee maker. I just run to the nearest Wawa (our local convenience store) LOL!

[giovanna]

like the others have said i learned that i was strong. i also learned how deep my husbands love is.

[spiritualgiftxo]

Looking for Healing Stories and Alternative Treatments that worked for you when you had hypermesis gravidarum. I am putting together a book about my journey through 4 HG pregnancies and how I healed in my fifth pregnancy. I am including what I learned spiritually and practical tips (mostly alternative healing techniques). For me it centered about messages from healing generations of domestic violence and sexual abuse while reducing my perfectionistic tendencies. I would love to hear other people's experiences. You can post here or email me at jen@spiritualgiftinstitute.com