On Monday I broke down and went into the doctor and after he looked at me, asked some questions and took my weight he told me he was sending me to the hospital... I was shocked. I kept asking him... the HOSPITAL? He said I had Hyperemesis and was very dehydrated... To the hospital I go...
He sent me to California Pacific Medical Center, (which was nice, because thats were we are having the baby) to the OB Triage Reception. They placed me in a room and triaged me and then started to try for my IV. It took over an hour, 3 nurses and 5 prods with the needle to get it started. This made the seriousness of my dehydration real. I have fabulous veins. I have had Nursing students practice on me as their first time patient. I have easy veins! However, because I was so dehydrated the nurses said the veins were too dry. :(
Finally they got it started and started pumping me full of fluids. Then the power went out. But thats another story... lol
They also gave me IV Zofran. This is a drug that is used to ease nausea and vomiting in caused by chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. It basically tricks your brain and stomach into thinking you are not sick. Sounds like a good plan.
Finally after 4 hours I was starting to feel better... ready to get out of the hospital! However they almost didnt let me go because I had Ketones still in my urine. Ketones are a sign that your body is using fat stores instead of food.
So, after getting home I did some research about Hyperemesis.
The most obvious sign is extreme vomiting to the point of causing dehydration. Why you ask was that the LAST symptom I had... well thats because I NEVER vomit. I have only vomited a handful of times in my life, and it usually meant I was VERY sick. I started consistently vomiting ( it was sporadic before) on Thursday, and it lasted through the weekend (which supposedly I hid very well from my husbands family.)
more research, more puzzle pieces fitting together: (from several sites)
▪ Loss of 5% or more of pre-pregnancy body weight
▪ Food Aversions
▪ Confusion
▪ Altered sense of taste
▪ Sensitivity of the brain to motion
▪ Fainting
▪ Vomiting
▪ Extreme Fatigue
▪ Loss of skin elasticity
▪ Headaches
Check, Check, Check.
Thankfully, I have a few functioning hours of the day. There are some women that end up on bed rest or in the hospital for long stays. There have even been women that have died because of complications to the condition.
I am now taking Zofran every day, and the nausea is easing... not going away. I see my doctor again this upcoming Friday and hopefully things will be better by then.
For those that are wondering about the baby... I listened to its heart beat before I went to the hospital... and it sounded great. the Doctor says that the kid is probably oblivious to my pain and suffering. I guess that is a good thing lol
Thank you for your prayers and concern. It really helps get through the day :)
