Research on HG's short- and long-term effects is desperately needed and needed now. We need to do more to find a cure for this disease that has such devastating effects on a growing number of soon-to-be mothers.
Survival Strategies
Try to implement as many of the following strategies as you can:
- Take it one day at a time and just do all you
can to make it easier. Don't focus on how many weeks you
have left or how you will deal with another day of being
sick.
- Give yourself permission to rest as much as you need,
and listen to your body. Don't fight the need to
lay down or do nothing when you are very nauseous and/or
vomiting. Being active will often worsen your symptoms.
- Do whatever is necessary to cope, including quitting
your job or hiring help. If possible, avoid major
stressors such as moving until you have recovered. (See "Related
Links" on the right.)
- Ask for help. Make a list of ways others can help
and let them choose what best suits their skills and schedule.
If you have limited support and can afford to hire help,
consider a teen, college student or doula. (See "Related
Links" on the right.)
- Arrange for someone to visit or call often to avoid
depression and isolation.
- Ask others to drive you to appointments and stores so
you can lay down and rest in the car. Doing both can be
too much. Order online if needed to avoid the stress of
running errands.
(More info on shopping online.)
- If your doctor wants to test you for gestational diabetes
(glucose tolerance test), discuss the option of apple
juice or jelly beans (medical studies show this is
acceptable) instead of Glucola.
- Purchase Ketostix from a drug store or online and
test your urine at least daily. These are the strips
the nurse dips in your urine to test for Ketones to monitor
your hydration and level of starvation. Ketones are produced
by fat breakdown. Get IV hydration or drink more as soon
as you begin producing ketones.
Ketones
worsen
nausea
and vomiting. (See "Related Links" on the right.)
- Try cold foods and beverages which have less smell
and if frozen, may decrease your sense of taste. Ice
water may go down better than chilled. Freeze a 1/2 full
bottle of water (or juice) on its side, then fill with
cool water so the ice will keep the water cold for hours.
- Have a variety of snacks prepared in case you
have a decrease in nausea and feel you can eat. Keep a
cooler next to the sofa and/or bed with snacks to avoid
trips to the kitchen.
- Eat a snack before getting off of the sofa or out
of bed. Try to sip any fluid possible all day. Avoid
eating large amount will distend your stomach and encourage
nausea/vomiting.
- Wear loose clothes and use lots of pillows to keep
yourself comfortable. Adding a foam egg crate or
mattress pad may ease pain.
- Read about others who have experienced HG, and contact them for support. Know that HG can be very traumatic and seeking professional counseling is not a sign of weakness, but rather a positive coping strategy. (More info on support groups.)
Updated on: Mar. 24, 2010
Beyond Morning Sickness 
The Proving Grounds