Hyperemesis GravidarumHyperemesis Gravidarum

When the joy of creating life turns When the joy of creating life turns into a struggle for survival and hopeinto a struggle for survival and hope

I wish that I had never tried to get pregnant

I wish that in a few months I would be able to hold my baby

I Wish . . .

Lost andLoved Angel

In Honor of Casey Lee

Hyperemesis GravidarumHyperemesis Gravidarum

HG is a debilitating and potentially life HG is a debilitating and potentially life threatening pregnancy disease marked by threatening pregnancy disease marked by rapid weight loss, malnutrition, and rapid weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration due to unrelenting nausea dehydration due to unrelenting nausea and/or vomiting with potential adverse and/or vomiting with potential adverse consequences for the newborn(s). consequences for the newborn(s).

- The HER - The HER FoundationFoundation

"I weighed 96 lbs at one point and looked like walking death. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy."

All information is provided by the HER Foundation and survivors of HG

“With more information, we can help families bring their babies into this world with as little struggle as

possible.” Karen

Complications for the MotherComplications for the Mother Debilitating fatigue – inability to work or take care Debilitating fatigue – inability to work or take care

of their familiesof their families Malnutrition and dehydrationMalnutrition and dehydration Frequent vomiting of blood or bileFrequent vomiting of blood or bile Organ dysfunction/failure – gallbladder, Organ dysfunction/failure – gallbladder, liver, gastrointestinal, liver, gastrointestinal, heartheart Depression and Depression and

anxietyanxiety Post traumatic Post traumatic

stress disorderstress disorder

"I lived on my bathroom floor with my down comforter over me or in the

hospital getting an IV...  My life turned upside down...  I went from a vibrant, happy, loving, spontaneous, career

driver type A personality to essentially - nothing."

Complications for the BabyComplications for the Baby

Pre-term laborPre-term labor Low birth weightLow birth weight Developmental delaysDevelopmental delays Congenital heart diseaseCongenital heart disease Skeletal malformationsSkeletal malformations Behavior/emotional problemsBehavior/emotional problems Pregnancy loss and miscarriage (25% for Pregnancy loss and miscarriage (25% for

HG pregnancies)HG pregnancies)

"I have had 5 unsuccessful pregnancies in a period of nine years.

I had my gallbladder removed and had pancreatitis due to the severe HG. I went from weighing 125

pounds to weighing 98 pounds. I do not even know

where to get help.  I really want to experience

being a mother."

A Journey Through HGA Journey Through HG

““To add insult to injury, our OB refused to authorize Zofran To add insult to injury, our OB refused to authorize Zofran and told Jen she was no longer eligible for disability.and told Jen she was no longer eligible for disability.

On January 10th we had our follow On January 10th we had our follow up appointment with our doctor. up appointment with our doctor. She still refused medication and, She still refused medication and, even though Jen was still 5 pounds even though Jen was still 5 pounds below her pre-pregnant weight at about below her pre-pregnant weight at about 23 weeks pregnancy, she would not allow 23 weeks pregnancy, she would not allow further disability time.”further disability time.”

In honor of Jordan William, Trisomy 18, son to a HG momIn honor of Jordan William, Trisomy 18, son to a HG mom

Lost and Loved Angel

The Voice of HG WomenThe Voice of HG Women

"I hate that this disorder "I hate that this disorder makes me PETRIFIED of makes me PETRIFIED of pregnancy, that it has to pregnancy, that it has to be so life altering, that I be so life altering, that I

have to feel so sick for so have to feel so sick for so long. Every day I think long. Every day I think

about HG, about HG, I feel like I am I feel like I am not the same personnot the same person

since I have endured so since I have endured so much, dramatic as that much, dramatic as that

sounds." Kendis sounds." Kendis

""My 19 year old daughter My 19 year old daughter dieddied on March 19 2002. on March 19 2002.

She was 13 weeks She was 13 weeks pregnant. and had been to pregnant. and had been to the the hospital twice the hospital twice the

week before and week before and diagnosed with diagnosed with

Hyperemesis Gravidarum." Hyperemesis Gravidarum."

“HG robbed me of the joys of pregnancy.  It shattered

my dreams of having a large family.”

“HG I have found touched every bit of my life, like

tentacles, reaching into the farthest corners of my soul. “

A Journey Through Severe HGA Journey Through Severe HG

For some women, the vomiting is so severe that they

must be placed on PICC lines or

feeding tubes to help sustain them and their developing

babies.

“I have had IVs every week for 4 weeks and my arms have bruises up and down them. I have been trying to

fight off having to have one because of the

risks, but it has got to the point where I am

92 pounds . . .”

“I was having a ton of iv's and my arms were covered in bruises. “

How You Can HelpHow You Can Help

"I was hospitalized [from] 5 ½ weeks

[until] 17 weeks with admissions till delivery,

the emotional [and] physical toll were horrific. [I was] vomiting 70+ times a day, nose bleeds, torn esophagus, burst blood vessels in my eye . . . My son has

special needs."

"With no family or support, we reluctantly put our daughter into daycare because I was

unable to care for her."

•Provide emotional support – Listen without judgment

•Provide practical support – Help with household chores and childcare, transportation to medical appointments

•Provide financial support – The more severe HG is, the higher the medical care costs involved

•Be an advocate – Visit the HER foundation website to find practical ways that you can help those you know struggling with HG today and those who may struggle with it in the future

“The experience is so raw and scary and yes the outcome is glorious but the journey almost killed me."

Good works are links that form a chain of love.

- Mother Teresa

Where to Find HelpWhere to Find Help

www.HelpHER.org

Information

Support

Hope

The HER Foundation was founded in 2000 by a registered nurse, Kimber Wakefield MacGibbon, after suffering from nine months of severe hyperemesis gravidarum.

“Hyperemesis Education & Research Foundation provides education & support for mothers suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum and those who care for them.”

With the right information, we can help others.

HER Foundation

What HG Has Done to Me . . .

Karen

You don't know me now Warm smiles, Dreams, Raucous laughter

Energy, Passion ,Drive That was all before

Before the flood of vomit came pouring out of me Ripping out my soul, my mind

Taking with it the sure knowledge of who I am and what I am capable of

All that is left is the memory of dark rooms and dark places

in the corners of my mind that I did not know existed and fear may rise again

There is no joy in creating life for me . . . Just the endless torment of days spent hoping, to no avail, that I could eat,

or drink, or at least sleep until it was over

At the end of each day there is no hope Just the prospects of another day with this new person

Merely a shadow of my former self for a part of me died with you

and now there is no reward

Lost andLoved Angel

In Honor of Casey Lee