Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Isaiah 50:10, "Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God."

I offer this information to help others in their fight with this debilitating condition. If it helps or encourages even one, it is worth every minute.

My early pregnancies with HG were like walking in the dark with no light. I had never heard of it. There were no books on HG in the library. The internet had little to offer on it back in 1991, and I knew no one who had ever suffered from it. The only person who gave me support was my husband, Clint. Our outer family did not understand or offer to help so we relied on each other. We did not tell many of our friends what was going on because of the censorship we received when we first asked for prayer support. We were told by Christians that "morning sickness is NOT something you ask prayers for." No one seemed to understand how serious or debilitating hyperemesis gravidarum can be.

My doctors were of the archaic opinion that women who had it did not want to be pregnant and were trying to kill their babies through vomiting! One doctor told me it was "all in your head." Another told me that I did not want the child I was carrying. I asked him why I was nauseous and vomiting BEFORE I knew I was pregnant...when I thought I was infertile and unable to have a child (as I had been told). He had nothing to say.

Another doctor who treated me for a badly sprained ankle said he told his wife it was all in her head and if she'd quit thinking about it, she'd be well. HG sufferers wish it was that easy! Women write to me and tell me they are STILL hearing the same kinds of things from the medical community.

My third pregnancy nearly killed me and to be honest, I really didn't mind if I died at the time. I woke up one morning and just cried & cried (very atypical of me) because I did not know how I would make it through the day. I could not bathe without help (while sitting in a chair), was unable to take more than a few steps without resting and had to rely on my 7 year old for nearly everything. I told God in a very sincere and humble manner that if He was going to kill me with HG, then I was fine with it. If that was the case, I asked Him to please do it soon because I was so tired of the battle. Those were long, rough days. It took me nearly 2 years to gain my strength back and correct the nutritional deficiencies caused by that pregnancy.

Because of how afraid he was for me, Clint backed a doctor up with some harsh words that pretty much said "DO SOMETHING FOR HER!" Then I was offered medication for the first time ever. Clint also started doing the research I was too weak to do. Through the internet, he found and we contacted Canadian doctors to purchase a book called Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy, which briefly mentioned HG and the treatments for it. This is where we learned about Bendectin, which has been the biggest help to me. I started researching herbs and became a Certified Herbalist. We didn't want to treat the symptoms (vomiting) with drugs, but find the exact cause and correct it.

At the time I am writing this, I am expecting for my ninth time. Three of my darlings are waiting for me in Heaven. I believe HG could have contributed to the miscarriages and cost us our precious children.

The five I have living give me so much joy and delight. I can not imagine not having any of them. I am delighted to be pregnant again even though it means difficulty. I want my child. It's HG I could do without. I would never end my child's life to stop my suffering. They mean too much to me.

I have climbed a tall and difficult mountain for each of my children and they are worth every minute of the HG. I would do it all again for each of them. I believe I am better able to love them because of what I went through to bring them into this world. I am so thankful I persisted. It cost me to have them, but I gained so much more.

Not only do I have the daily joys of being a mother, I have learned so much about myself. When faced with obstacles now, I can look back on my journeys with HG and draw strength from it. I know that with God's grace and help, "I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

More importantly, through HG, I learned a great deal about God. When Clint and I felt strongly convicted God wanted control over our reproductive lives, I knew it meant I'd have to endure more pregnancies. I knew there would be dark, rough days ahead. For my sacrifice and faith, He has rewarded me. I am closer to Him than ever before. I have seen how He carries us during times of trial. My pregnancies have been easier but not perfect. I dared to wade out in the scary, deeper. dark waters where the only thing to cling to was faith in Him...and He blessed me for it. I praise the Lord for the good He has worked in my life through hyperemesis gravidarum.

My family has been blessed by it also. All of us have learned to pull together and rely on each other when things are rough. We are incredibly close. Trying times do not throw our family for a loop. Instead, we instinctively pull together and work to overcome the obstacle. My children have been blessed with a spirit of compassion for the sick and weak. They are quick to defend the helpless. They adore their siblings because they know each one of them is a miracle. They have no self esteem issues because they know they are loved by a mother who has fought long, hard battles to bring them into this world.

HG also made us question the medical community's standards, practices and beliefs. We see them as a tool to use carefully and with wisdom.

Even while HG is not something I would have chosen for myself or would willingly choose again, I can say I am thankful God led me down this road for the many blessings it has brought into my life.

For the HG suffering woman who wrote who is being criticized and judged: Mean people's nasty comments don't count. There is something wrong inside a person when they judge you harshly while you are bedridden. It doesn't matter if they say they won't pray for you because they don't believe your condition is serious. God's care for you is not hinged on the prayers of others! Pray for them. They are sick in their heart, which is far more serious than any physical ailment! 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 3: Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

NOTE: I am not a medical Dr. I am a mother just sharing what has helped me. I hope that someone can use something I have shared to help themselves or to find encouragement. Before trying any of the suggestions on my site, I have to recommend you consult a licensed physician. I will not diagnose diseases nor give out medical advice. Information provided is for educational and experimental purposes only and is based on my own findings.