Monday, July 21, 2008

Hyperemesis Gravidarum - Part 1

*This week will be busier than usual, as I will be helping with our annual Vacation Bible school. So I have prepared a few posts in advance.

This post has been a long time in coming. I have used a variety of excuses for not writing it, including the thought that it will simply be too boring for those who have never experienced it.

On the other hand, I have wondered it if might not be a help to those who are now experiencing this condition, or know someone who is.

I should also mention that while some parts of this story are easy to recall, as a whole it does take me back to one of the lowest times in my life. Which is probably my biggest reason for putting it off so long.

About 7 years ago, I remember getting up to a routine morning of feeding and clothing my 2 young sons. About midway through the process, I was siezed with incredible pain in my lower abdomen. Having had cystic ovarian disease before the birth of my sons (which of course is accompanied by cysts), I pretty much just rolled into the fetal position on the floor and waited for it to pass.

I soon realized something was different and came to the decision I would have to go to the hospital. I dragged myself into my sons room (literally) and somehow got us into the car. It may sound dramatic, but an ovarian cyst can be quite debilitating.

I knew I wouldn't be able to drive myself all the way to the hospital, so I make a closer stop to my in-laws. My father-in-law took one look at me and jumped in the car.

At the hospital they proceeded to do testing and, sure enough, it was a cyst (I could have told them that). Then they asked that all important questian: could you be pregnant?

Having had difficulty getting pregnant in the past, my answer was most likely not, followed by Please get me some painkiller!!!

As you have probably quessed, I was pregnant.

Unfortunately, before I could really digest that information, I started to go through the motions of a miscarriage. They medicated me, and put me in the holding room to await a Doctor to perform a D & C surgery.

I remember that, although I was quite drugged up at that point, I was also very worried. My first pregnancy had ended in a miscarriage. I remembered how painful (physically) it was; I also remembered that it had not been like the present one. I had basically passed that first baby, after which all the physical pain had stopped. This just didn't feel the same.

I begged my mother-in-law not to let them operate until one of us discussed this with the Doctor. The nurse thought we had no idea what we were talking about; I suppose they feel they know much more about these things. And most of the time they probably do.

What I didn't know was that my Doctor had left our Women's Clinic. So I spent about 8 hours waiting for the on-call Doctor (or whoever got around to it first) to show up. By that time, the surgery had to be post-poned til the next day.

So I discussed my concerns with him. Of course, he thought I was just trying to deny what was happening, but said that he would do an ultrasound and see what showed up. So we did. There was nothing to see. But I still felt something wasn't right. So he begrudgingly said to come back in four days and we would do another ultrasound.

Four days later we did the second ultrasound. Lo and behold, there was a little sac on the screen, and it was obvious my body was gearing up for pregnancy. My (new) Doctor was quite surprised.

In an amazing way (atleast to me), losing my first baby had saved my last baby. There's no doubt I would have followed the Doctor's advice otherwise.

And that's how it all began.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing this with us. Obviously God had other plans for your little one and he gives us that little voice that tells us to listen to him, even thought experts are telling us something else. You must look at your little girl every day and think of that day and realize how much of a miracle she is. I too struggled with infertility for many years and had a long journey to my two boys, without God I would never would have made it through the journey. Here is a link with a beautiful poem a friend online wrote, I think you would love it. You may not be able to read it and if not I can send it to you. I nearly cry eery time I read it.

http://www.scrapshotz.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=17029&size=big&cat=&ppuser=1598&sl=a

Nikki said...

I appreciate your sharing this with us. The Princess must seem like an extra special miracle to you.

Way to stand up to those doctors! They think they know everything, but they don't. I know because my dad is one!

I assume that one of your subsequent posts will tell of your debilitating nausea? Yuck! But I can't wait!

MyKidsMom said...

Niki: Thank you for sharing this poem. I think there is a certain kinship between those who struggle so hard to attain something that often comes so easily to others, the birth of a child. God has greatly blessed me (and you as well) with these little miracles.


Nikki: While I definately don't think that they have all the answers, I do have a lot of respect for Doctors. I can't imagine being in their shoes, dealing with the sheer volume of people that they do.

I am curious what type of Doctor your father is; also, if that had an influence on your choice to become a pharmacist (I atleast think of them as related professions).

And yes, I do plan to add to my story soon.

Kaye said...

Wow...thanks so much for sharing. This just goes to prove that mom's instinct is nothing to be ignored...and that God knows what he is doing. =) This can be really helpful and inspirational to others. Please continue to use your experiences to educate and encourage the rest of us!