I felt so isolated during my HG pregnancy and didn’t know other women were suffering from the same illness (HG). When I was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum during my first trimester, little did I know it was so much more than just “morning sickness.” I struggled physically, emotionally and mentally. I experienced sickness during all my pregnancies, but this last pregnancy was usually distressing, with increased amount of relentless vomiting and nausea. Nothing helped. I tried every remedy. It was such a debilitating experience. My sweet husband would pick me up from the bathroom floor and take me to the ER.
It was during my last semester of graduate school at California State University, Fresno. I was hooked up to IVs, spending days and nights in the ER, and had a home health nurse coming to my home weekly. All while going to night classes, externships, and trying to hide my sickness from colleagues for fear of delaying graduation.
I passed all areas outright and graduated on time. This is a picture when I received my first paycheck working as a medical Speech Language Pathologist, still pregnant. One month later my beautiful daughter Addilyn was born healthy and hungry. She is now a bubbly, sweet and energetic 7 year old. She needlessly apologizes for making me sick while she was “in my belly”.
By the time I was scheduled to take my comprehensive exams (comps) for Speech Pathology, I had already lost 50-60 lbs. The morning of the comps I had vomited seven times and urinated on myself. My kind friend Danielle stayed with me that morning. Prior to the exam I was recommended to go to the disability center to take my exam where they supplied me with a trash can to vomit. Throughout my time there the employees keep checking on me and encouraged me to stop the and finish later. I persevered to the end and completed my exam. Immediately afterwards they gave me wheelchair and took me straight to the hospital for fluids and the glorious banana bag.
I encourage any college student to seek out the disability center on your campus for help and accommodations with your pregnancy. The disability center gave me a place to take my exams in private with the accommodations I needed. Mostly, I want to encourage any pregnant moms going through college, and let them know they are not alone and seek help when they need it.
I am HER! You are HER! We are HER!
Believe in HER!
Together, we are changing
the future for the next generation!
What is HG? HG is hyperemesis gravidarum: a potentially life-threatening pregnancy disease that causes chronic malnutrition, dehydration, and debility due to severe nausea and vomiting, and may cause long-term health issues for mom/baby.
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