I can hardly believe that I am in my 30th week and have less than 10 weeks to go before we meet our little man! While some days, weeks, months have seemed to drag on as though they would never end... others have flown by. The whole process continues to amaze me each and every day.
Hyperemesis Update
Just the facts...
Not your average Morning Sickness
*Morning sickness occurs in some form in 70-80% of all pregnancies
*Hyperemesis occurs in approximately 1% of all pregnancies... YES, I am THAT Lucky.
*In those that have Hyperemesis, 20% have it throughout their entire pregnancy. So thankful that mine cleared up (for the most part) around 20 weeks.
*On average, I threw up 3-5 times each day, was nauseous throughout the entire day, and lost 15 lbs. during my first trimester.
*I currently throw up around once or twice a week, I am only nauseous in the evenings, and I have gained 12 of the 15 lbs. back.
*I was not able to work for a little over 3 months.
*I am currently back at work part time, and feel fine most days while I am there.
*Hyperemesis left me with depression throughout my first trimester. I had never been clinically depressed before in my life, and it was really hard for me to work through. I had very little contact with extended family, friends, or the outside world for that matter.
*I was basically on modified bed rest throughout the first trimester. I slept and spent most of my day on the sofa, only getting up to try to eat, throw up, or use the restroom. I was so severely fatigued that I only showered once every few days, and had to sit on the floor of the bathtub in order to do this. For the first few months of my pregnancy I only left my house a handful of times, and only for a short amount of time when I did.
*I was put on two different prescription medications to try to prevent the throwing up and severe dehydration I was experiencing. Neither prescription was successful.
*I was admitted to the hospital once for IV hydration. I was there for over 6 hours. The nursing staff said that I had waited too long to be admitted. I was severely dehydrated.
*Chances are above 60% that I will have HG in subsequent pregnancies, and it will typically follow the same pattern.
*50% of women experience adverse effects on their relationship with their spouse or partner.
*My husband was 100% supportive, helpful, and giving during this difficult time. He cared for me, did research, bought books, watched videos, took care of the house, prepared meals and continued to work 50+ hour work weeks. I couldn't be more blessed with a better partner for life.
For more information on Hyperemesis Gravidarum you can visit the HER (Hyperemesis Education & Research) foundation at:
www.helpher.org
Showing posts with label Baby Dahl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baby Dahl. Show all posts
March 1, 2012
October 30, 2011
Battling For Baby~ Telling people
A real, candid, personal story of my ongoing battle with Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
Part 2
Ideally, I wanted to wait until 8-12 weeks before we started telling people our great news, including our close family and friends. My sister, brother in-law, and family were all heartbroken with my sister's miscarriage a year and half earlier, and it had taught me to be cautious. I knew miscarriages were common, but that doesn't make them any less heartbreaking. I also had all of these cutesy ideas in my head of how we would let people know and couldn't wait to implement them. Sadly, those plans quickly dissipated within a week of us finding out. I guess with anything in motherhood...one must learn to be flexible, and this was going to be my first tutorial.
The first person I told... was my hairdresser Amber. We had been planning all summer to color my hair right before school began. I had my appointment Thursday before Labor Day weekend. I sat down in the chair and we talked about what we were going to be doing with my hair. Right before she left to mix the color I just blurted it out... "I'm pregnant." She was very excited for me and told me that she would 'paint' the bleach on for my highlights so that it wouldn't even come close to my scalp...but that overall, I wouldn't have to worry, it is mostly just a caution for women who religiously bleach and color their hair. While she was working on my hair we discussed the pregnancy among other things. She asked me how I was feeling and if I noticed anything that had changed. I told her that I felt great. I didn't feel differently at all, with exception to a slightly sore chest area. Little did I know... this would soon all change.
Labor Day weekend came and we headed out on our annual trip to the Packwood flea market. The girls left early Friday so we could get a one day head start on the guys. We would spend the day in Packwood, and meet up with them at the cabin later that night. On our way there, I started to not feel so well. This was not out of character for me, as I get extreme motion sickness (little did I know at the time, motion sickness outside of pregnancy can be an indicator of developing Hyperemesis during pregnancy. Along with sensitivity to prenatals and multi-vitamins, and sensitivity to birth control. ALL which I had.)... but this did feel somewhat different than the usual. Usually I can handle it to some extent, but instead I laid my head against the window and tears rolled down my face. I didn't really want my mom or sister to notice because I didn't want to feel the slightest bit tempted to tell them my 'news', not like this. When they did notice, I rightfully brushed it off as being carsick and they understood. Finally, after stopping at a gas station I found some SeaBands in my backpack left in there from our trip to Hawaii and put those on. I felt much better the rest of the day.
I wore my SeaBands the entire weekend! They helped a little, but I still found myself hot and exhausted much of the time. Luckily the Packwood flea market was kind of a bust overall, and nobody was really feeling it the second day. We left early and headed back to my Grandma's property for dinner and then back to the cabin. We spent most of the day Sunday at the cabin. I was thoroughly tired and continued to not feel well, I slept and hung out in the bathroom all afternoon, while everyone else hung out outside. J and I headed home later that night, thankful that I still had Monday to try to recover and recoup.
Monday came and I continued to feel nauseous. I did NOTHING the entire day. We had a family Bbq to attend at my brother and sister in-laws later that evening. I was not up for it...but felt I needed to go. We got to their house and upon walking into their kitchen was a huge baby balloon with Dahl written on the baby's diaper and pink and blue cupcakes galore. Guess what?! They were pregnant! How exciting! Even more so when I found out their due date was just TWO days before ours! We would be pregnant together. Justin and I just smiled at each other, with knowing glances upon hearing the news. Other family members slowly trickled in, and it took some of them FOREVER (and by forever, I mean 10+ minutes!) to notice the balloon and what it meant. Funny to watch, but I thought this was crazy since I noticed it right away... must be my mother's instinct kicking in. LOL
Justin kept asking if I wanted to share also. At first I said no. I wanted to stick to 'the plan', and this was their 'day'. Then I said sure, but he wasn't feeling it. Then as his dad got on the phone to call Grammy in Minnesota he just couldn't keep it in anymore. His dad, Ken (yes...Ken Dahl, named before Ken, from Barbie and Ken, was ever popular), was in the middle of saying "you are going to have a great grand-baby..." when Justin interrupted "two great grand-babies". At first everyone was confused... I think they thought maybe Kaylyn was having twins. But soon they realized that we meant US. Everyone was in shock but also very excited. Before I knew it, his Dad was calling anyone and everyone in his phone to share the good news. I loved his excitement... but everything was happening so fast, and I did not want ANYONE especially my own parents finding out from somebody he knew congratulating us on Facebook. Ahhhh Facebook...how you have changed the world. We immediately did damage control and ran up to Andy and Kaylyn's computer to take down our FB walls. I told Justin "No wall until 12 weeks!" Do you know what this did to him??? It would be like telling a little kid no TV for 12 weeks.
After dinner, J and I both decided we needed to go up and tell my Mom and Bill, especially after their concern for me feeling so sick the entire weekend. We stopped by and got an ice cream cake and headed up that way. It really worked out perfect since my sister and Phil were up there for dinner. We sat in the driveway trying to come up with a plan. We didn't come up with one. Well... the only plan we came up with was that I would tell them, and if I couldn't, I was supposed to squeeze Justin's hand under the table. We are the King and Queen of the secret signals, I think.
Once we got inside everyone was just getting ready to dish up. My mom offered Justin and I a plate. Justin graciously accepted a small plate, while I kindly turned it down. I told her we had just eaten at A & K's and I still wasn't really feeling well. "You still aren't feeling well?" she said. "Yes... I am sure it is just the morning sickness" I casually replied. Pure silence and stares all around, followed by overwhelming excitement! Of course the most excited was my niece Leighton because she was going to be a BIG cousin AGAIN! {*Disclaimer*~ Do not drink out of the water glasses of the Seston or Dahl girl's... clearly there is something in their water.}
One last set of parents to tell... My Dad and Susan. We didn't get over to their house that evening, as it was already getting late and we were stuffed with 'celebratory' food. But made it a point to do so the following weekend... and the next weekend... and the next weekend... and some week nights... and some texts of "Where are you". They are never home. Finally, my Dad had called Justin on the phone and was talking to him. My Dad had asked J how I was doing, and J replied that I was 'sick'. The first thing out of my Dad's mouth was "Pregnant"? "Yep" replied Justin.
Oh the creativity... where did you go?
And that is how we told our immediate families...
All because of stupid 'Morning' Sickness.
To be continued...
Part 2
Ideally, I wanted to wait until 8-12 weeks before we started telling people our great news, including our close family and friends. My sister, brother in-law, and family were all heartbroken with my sister's miscarriage a year and half earlier, and it had taught me to be cautious. I knew miscarriages were common, but that doesn't make them any less heartbreaking. I also had all of these cutesy ideas in my head of how we would let people know and couldn't wait to implement them. Sadly, those plans quickly dissipated within a week of us finding out. I guess with anything in motherhood...one must learn to be flexible, and this was going to be my first tutorial.
The first person I told... was my hairdresser Amber. We had been planning all summer to color my hair right before school began. I had my appointment Thursday before Labor Day weekend. I sat down in the chair and we talked about what we were going to be doing with my hair. Right before she left to mix the color I just blurted it out... "I'm pregnant." She was very excited for me and told me that she would 'paint' the bleach on for my highlights so that it wouldn't even come close to my scalp...but that overall, I wouldn't have to worry, it is mostly just a caution for women who religiously bleach and color their hair. While she was working on my hair we discussed the pregnancy among other things. She asked me how I was feeling and if I noticed anything that had changed. I told her that I felt great. I didn't feel differently at all, with exception to a slightly sore chest area. Little did I know... this would soon all change.
Labor Day weekend came and we headed out on our annual trip to the Packwood flea market. The girls left early Friday so we could get a one day head start on the guys. We would spend the day in Packwood, and meet up with them at the cabin later that night. On our way there, I started to not feel so well. This was not out of character for me, as I get extreme motion sickness (little did I know at the time, motion sickness outside of pregnancy can be an indicator of developing Hyperemesis during pregnancy. Along with sensitivity to prenatals and multi-vitamins, and sensitivity to birth control. ALL which I had.)... but this did feel somewhat different than the usual. Usually I can handle it to some extent, but instead I laid my head against the window and tears rolled down my face. I didn't really want my mom or sister to notice because I didn't want to feel the slightest bit tempted to tell them my 'news', not like this. When they did notice, I rightfully brushed it off as being carsick and they understood. Finally, after stopping at a gas station I found some SeaBands in my backpack left in there from our trip to Hawaii and put those on. I felt much better the rest of the day.
I wore my SeaBands the entire weekend! They helped a little, but I still found myself hot and exhausted much of the time. Luckily the Packwood flea market was kind of a bust overall, and nobody was really feeling it the second day. We left early and headed back to my Grandma's property for dinner and then back to the cabin. We spent most of the day Sunday at the cabin. I was thoroughly tired and continued to not feel well, I slept and hung out in the bathroom all afternoon, while everyone else hung out outside. J and I headed home later that night, thankful that I still had Monday to try to recover and recoup.
Monday came and I continued to feel nauseous. I did NOTHING the entire day. We had a family Bbq to attend at my brother and sister in-laws later that evening. I was not up for it...but felt I needed to go. We got to their house and upon walking into their kitchen was a huge baby balloon with Dahl written on the baby's diaper and pink and blue cupcakes galore. Guess what?! They were pregnant! How exciting! Even more so when I found out their due date was just TWO days before ours! We would be pregnant together. Justin and I just smiled at each other, with knowing glances upon hearing the news. Other family members slowly trickled in, and it took some of them FOREVER (and by forever, I mean 10+ minutes!) to notice the balloon and what it meant. Funny to watch, but I thought this was crazy since I noticed it right away... must be my mother's instinct kicking in. LOL
Justin kept asking if I wanted to share also. At first I said no. I wanted to stick to 'the plan', and this was their 'day'. Then I said sure, but he wasn't feeling it. Then as his dad got on the phone to call Grammy in Minnesota he just couldn't keep it in anymore. His dad, Ken (yes...Ken Dahl, named before Ken, from Barbie and Ken, was ever popular), was in the middle of saying "you are going to have a great grand-baby..." when Justin interrupted "two great grand-babies". At first everyone was confused... I think they thought maybe Kaylyn was having twins. But soon they realized that we meant US. Everyone was in shock but also very excited. Before I knew it, his Dad was calling anyone and everyone in his phone to share the good news. I loved his excitement... but everything was happening so fast, and I did not want ANYONE especially my own parents finding out from somebody he knew congratulating us on Facebook. Ahhhh Facebook...how you have changed the world. We immediately did damage control and ran up to Andy and Kaylyn's computer to take down our FB walls. I told Justin "No wall until 12 weeks!" Do you know what this did to him??? It would be like telling a little kid no TV for 12 weeks.
After dinner, J and I both decided we needed to go up and tell my Mom and Bill, especially after their concern for me feeling so sick the entire weekend. We stopped by and got an ice cream cake and headed up that way. It really worked out perfect since my sister and Phil were up there for dinner. We sat in the driveway trying to come up with a plan. We didn't come up with one. Well... the only plan we came up with was that I would tell them, and if I couldn't, I was supposed to squeeze Justin's hand under the table. We are the King and Queen of the secret signals, I think.
Once we got inside everyone was just getting ready to dish up. My mom offered Justin and I a plate. Justin graciously accepted a small plate, while I kindly turned it down. I told her we had just eaten at A & K's and I still wasn't really feeling well. "You still aren't feeling well?" she said. "Yes... I am sure it is just the morning sickness" I casually replied. Pure silence and stares all around, followed by overwhelming excitement! Of course the most excited was my niece Leighton because she was going to be a BIG cousin AGAIN! {*Disclaimer*~ Do not drink out of the water glasses of the Seston or Dahl girl's... clearly there is something in their water.}
One last set of parents to tell... My Dad and Susan. We didn't get over to their house that evening, as it was already getting late and we were stuffed with 'celebratory' food. But made it a point to do so the following weekend... and the next weekend... and the next weekend... and some week nights... and some texts of "Where are you". They are never home. Finally, my Dad had called Justin on the phone and was talking to him. My Dad had asked J how I was doing, and J replied that I was 'sick'. The first thing out of my Dad's mouth was "Pregnant"? "Yep" replied Justin.
Oh the creativity... where did you go?
And that is how we told our immediate families...
All because of stupid 'Morning' Sickness.
To be continued...
October 27, 2011
Battling for Baby~ Dream A Little Dream
A real, candid, personal story of my ongoing battle with Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
Part 1, of many...
Dream A Little Dream
I, like most every other little girl out there growing up, couldn't wait to someday have a family of my own. I constantly had that 'list' of namesin the back of my head on a piece of paper tucked away somewhere secret, that I would one day name my babies. I loved sharing these names with my sister...and battling over the ones that we both liked, as though they wouldn't change a million times between then and when we would actually have children of our own. I loved hearing of others' new found pregnancies and the joy that each pregnancy and baby brought to the family that welcomed them with open, loving arms. I secretly smiled with glee from the inside, each time one of my students 'accidentally' called me Mom when trying to get my attention in class. I could not wait for all of this to someday be a reality of my own.
My dream came even closer to reality once I met my husband. He came from a family of four boys. And like me, family meant the world to him. We agreed that a family of two or three would be a perfect fit for us. Once we were married, there was a brief discussion of trying right away. I had always wanted to be a 'younger' mom and at 31 that dream had since passed... and I wasn't getting any younger with each passing day. Both of us were the oldest in our immediate families, and pretty much the oldest in our extended families, as well. And Justin thought it would be great to have what would be, the first grandchild on both sides :) After careful consideration, and a smidge of selfishness, we decided to wait, at least until after our first year of marriage.
During the course of our first year of marriage, my sister became pregnant. I was excited and thrilled beyond belief. I was going to be an Auntie! I thought this would be perfect. I could get an up close, personal, front seat, view of the ins and outs of pregnancy and childbirth. When asked by others "when will it be your turn", I simply sat back, smiled, and jokingly stated "I think I will just see what I am getting myself into first". My sister had a pretty typical pregnancy, ups and downs, bouts of sickness here and there, but overall healthy and glowing. When it was time for my little niece to arrive I was beyond excited. I think I even had my 'hospital bag' packed before my sister did. I would anxiously go to sleep each night waiting for The Call. Finally it came. And finally, my sweet niece Leighton was born after a relatively short labor and an hour of pushing. I can do that, I thought.
After a summer full of visits with my niece it was time to head back to work. Justin and I had been 'trying' for two months now and a week before school was set to begin I noticed my 'friend' was a day or so late (and my 'friend' visits VERY regularly). On Tuesday, August 30th I took my first pregnancy test. I didn't even get it set on the counter and my pants pulled back up before I saw two VERY solid lines. I thought I was supposed to get three minutes to mentally prepare! LOL So much for that! A range of emotions overwhelmed me...but most of all excitement. I was so excited, I couldn't even wait to do something cutesy to pass the news onto J that evening. I did the most impersonal, out of character thing ever, and sent him a picture text of the test with a message saying "Good Morning Daddy".
For the rest of the week, I was in a world of my own. I was excited and joyful and making plans here and there. I had J buy some cute belly stickers online so that we could take pictures of my bump with each of the passing weeks. I looked in stores for a pregnancy journal so that I could record EVERYTHING about this exciting and glowing time. When I couldn't find one that I liked, I created one myself on my computer that I would be able to transfer over into a My Publisher book. I also bought a couple of pregnancy books to begin reading at home. Everywhere I went, I did not feel alone, because my baby was there with me. It was like my own little private buddy...my own 'invisible' friend.
To be continued...
Part 1, of many...
Dream A Little Dream
I, like most every other little girl out there growing up, couldn't wait to someday have a family of my own. I constantly had that 'list' of names
My dream came even closer to reality once I met my husband. He came from a family of four boys. And like me, family meant the world to him. We agreed that a family of two or three would be a perfect fit for us. Once we were married, there was a brief discussion of trying right away. I had always wanted to be a 'younger' mom and at 31 that dream had since passed... and I wasn't getting any younger with each passing day. Both of us were the oldest in our immediate families, and pretty much the oldest in our extended families, as well. And Justin thought it would be great to have what would be, the first grandchild on both sides :) After careful consideration, and a smidge of selfishness, we decided to wait, at least until after our first year of marriage.
During the course of our first year of marriage, my sister became pregnant. I was excited and thrilled beyond belief. I was going to be an Auntie! I thought this would be perfect. I could get an up close, personal, front seat, view of the ins and outs of pregnancy and childbirth. When asked by others "when will it be your turn", I simply sat back, smiled, and jokingly stated "I think I will just see what I am getting myself into first". My sister had a pretty typical pregnancy, ups and downs, bouts of sickness here and there, but overall healthy and glowing. When it was time for my little niece to arrive I was beyond excited. I think I even had my 'hospital bag' packed before my sister did. I would anxiously go to sleep each night waiting for The Call. Finally it came. And finally, my sweet niece Leighton was born after a relatively short labor and an hour of pushing. I can do that, I thought.
After a summer full of visits with my niece it was time to head back to work. Justin and I had been 'trying' for two months now and a week before school was set to begin I noticed my 'friend' was a day or so late (and my 'friend' visits VERY regularly). On Tuesday, August 30th I took my first pregnancy test. I didn't even get it set on the counter and my pants pulled back up before I saw two VERY solid lines. I thought I was supposed to get three minutes to mentally prepare! LOL So much for that! A range of emotions overwhelmed me...but most of all excitement. I was so excited, I couldn't even wait to do something cutesy to pass the news onto J that evening. I did the most impersonal, out of character thing ever, and sent him a picture text of the test with a message saying "Good Morning Daddy".
For the rest of the week, I was in a world of my own. I was excited and joyful and making plans here and there. I had J buy some cute belly stickers online so that we could take pictures of my bump with each of the passing weeks. I looked in stores for a pregnancy journal so that I could record EVERYTHING about this exciting and glowing time. When I couldn't find one that I liked, I created one myself on my computer that I would be able to transfer over into a My Publisher book. I also bought a couple of pregnancy books to begin reading at home. Everywhere I went, I did not feel alone, because my baby was there with me. It was like my own little private buddy...my own 'invisible' friend.
To be continued...
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