I haven’t thrown up in 24 days!
In case you have no idea what I’m talking about, I have been suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum this pregnancy (I didn’t have it with my first), which causes excessive nausea and vomiting.
I had thought that a lot of the fatigue I felt must be caused by lack of nutrition, but it’s apparently a separate symptom entirely, because I still am pretty tired all the time and don’t have a lot of energy or endurance. I also still have plenty of nausea and dry heave regularly. I’ve tried seeing if I can cut down on the amount of anti-nausea medicine I’m taking, but I haven’t been able to lower my dosage at all. The motion sickness is still there, and I still wouldn’t trust myself to drive further than my local supermarket (which is walking distance, but would be a long walk, okay well, not walking distance for me right now, but when I was healthy).
Following the drastic 20 pound weight loss of the first trimester, I’m now gaining weight and am currently 16 pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight. I think my body must be in post-famine mode, because I am always hungry. I can eat a huge meal and an hour later I’m hungry again. I’m craving fatty, high calorie foods, and I was pretty shocked to find out that between my doctor’s visit this morning and the visit two weeks ago, I actually lost 2 pounds, because I feel like I should have gained at least 5!
The baby is huge. I know ultrasound measurements aren’t super accurate, but the average fetus is 2.5 pounds (1.13 kg) at 29 weeks and this baby is being estimated at 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg). It’s measuring overall at 34-35 weeks. I’m being monitored for gestational diabetes, but my pre- and post-eating blood sugar levels have been fine over the whole pregnancy, as has my blood pressure (averaging 90/60) and my hemoglobin A1c test (plasma glucose concentration over 3 months), which turned out well within normal levels. The levels of amniotic fluid are good too, another indicator against gestational diabetes. My doctor says she’s not worried because the baby is big overall, not just carrying a lot of extra weight in the abdomen. Maybe this means he’ll be born a few weeks early? I can hope, right? (Just in case you wonder if the estimate of ovulation is off, I was using an ovulation monitor when we conceived and know the exact date of ovulation, plus early ultrasounds all matched with that date).
I’m finally feeling like the end is in sight, and that, along with the coming of spring, has lifted my spirits considerably. I still spend a lot of time in bed, but at least I’m not all that miserable anymore.
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Wow, sounds like you are having a really rough time – I hope you feel better soon. I was lucky with pregnancy sickness and only had it up to 16 weeks with first one the not at all with the rest. Its amazing how we all react so differently to pregnancy. Of course it will all be worthwhile when you have your new little bundle in your arms. Hope you get an easy labour – you derserve it after this pregnancy!
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WOW. No throw up in 24 days?! WOW. This is quite a milestone. Too bad there is still dry heaving, etc. But, I have a to say… small victories are good! Glad to hear the update. I was wondering how you were doing. We’re in the yellow pollen season — its covered everything and has not rianed in days (sneeze city)! Duke just won the BBall NCAA Championship, and it was 90 degrees yesterday. So… summer is here…. Cheers!
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