hyperemesis gravidarum (HG)

Hyperemesis gravidarum {HG} is a severe form of morning sickness, with "unrelenting, excessive pregnancy-related nausea and/or vomiting" that prevents adequate intake of food and fluids.
My daughter has been dealing with this horrible disease since she got pregnant two months ago. It is heartbreaking for me to watch her go through this and feel so helpless in trying to relieve her suffering. The sad thing about it is that not many women get this when they are pregnant so there has been little research or studies into it. So there has been basically no progress in lessening their suffering from HG. Before IV therapy women would die with this. IV therapy helps when they can get it, if they have an understanding doctor but most of them still are very very sick. A lot of days Brittany can't keep any fluids or food down at all and has repetitive vomiting. Their are no days off when you have it as severe as my daughter does. A lot of women have abortions that have HG because they can't stand the constant dehydration and repetitive vomiting that never lets up. It is a tragedy to think these babies are dying because the medical community in this day and age can't make any progress to lessen their suffering. There is an excellent book about it that was written by a mom with it that is called Beyond Morning Sickness. Anyone who has it or has a loved one with it should read this book. It has been a huge help and source of comfort to my daughter and me. The best description Brittany has ever come across to describe what it feels like with HG is the quote below she read by another mother who suffered from it like she is.

"I SO want this pregnancy to be over. I want my mouth to taste right again. I want to eat without a thought. I want to get up, cook, clean, tend my house. I want to be my son's mommy again. I want to go places and do things and be his teacher again. I want to go to church and make a dish to bring to prayer meetings again. I want to wash dishes in the church kitchen and wipe off tables and be a part of life. I want to go to cookouts and pool parties. I want to go to the beach and pick up a bushel of oysters on the way back. I want to steam them and share them with my crazy friends. I want to be a part of the organic coop again. I want to have playdates at the park with the kids. I want to function and encourage and be encouraged. I want to live again."
image: here