“Thank you for everything that you have taught us.”

Those were the words of my lead OB as he stood in the doorway of my ER room, seven weeks into my second pregnancy with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). I glanced at my husband and smiled; we had come a long way…

My First Pregnancy with HG

My first pregnancy with HG was traumatic. Reflecting on that time, I see how the lack of knowledge and understanding from myself, my healthcare team, and those around me shaped my experience.

Neither I nor my healthcare team fully grasped what was happening to me. Without a clear diagnosis, treatment was delayed and reactive rather than proactive. When complications arose, HG was dismissed and forgotten. The toll it had taken on my overall health was overlooked, leaving me to suffer unnecessarily, feeling lost and misunderstood. 

First Pregnancy: Treatments and Their Efficacy

At first, I thought I was dealing with bad morning sickness. I tried every remedy I could find—Sea-bands, various forms of ginger, and even an aromatherapy smelling stick that I kept under my nose.

Nothing worked.

My OB team experimented with multiple medications, but none provided relief. Instead, I experienced side effects, drug interactions, and withdrawals that spiraled me into a mental health crisis. For several weeks, I was treated as a psych patient, a primary source of trauma from my first pregnancy.

Looking back, I realize I was a passive participant in my pregnancy and HG experience. I lacked the knowledge to make informed decisions. I was too sick to ask questions or even know what questions to ask. It wasn’t until after the pregnancy that I recognized how much critical information I had missed, and the questions I could have and should have asked.

Questions like:

• How often should I get IV fluids if I’m vomiting this much?

• Can I get a banana bag with IV vitamins and minerals instead of just saline?

• Is there a way to receive regular IV fluids without having to come into the ER?

• How are these medications working and interacting in my system?

• Are these side effects from the medications or symptoms of HG?

• Is it dangerous if I stop taking all of these medications abruptly?

And many more…

Before considering another pregnancy, I knew I had to find the answers to these questions. With the support of the HER Foundation and through my own scientific research, I did just that.

My Second Pregnancy with HG 

If I had to describe my second pregnancy with HG in one phrase, it would be “Informed Teamwork.” 

I started by educating and empowering myself. I created a proactive HG management plan and worked with my healthcare team to make sure we were on the same page before moving forward. 

This time, I felt understood  and respected – feelings I didn’t experience during my first pregnancy. Although I still battled HG, I went into my second pregnancy knowing what I wanted and needed. I received compassionate and informed care and had a much better pregnancy experience because of it. 

Second Pregnancy: Treatments and Their Efficacy

I was optimistic. Along with optimizing my health before conception, I tried ginger capsules, various supplements, and an FDA-cleared Reliefband for nausea. 

By six weeks’ gestation, however, I couldn’t keep pills or liquids down, and the Reliefband didn’t help. We quickly moved to our treatment plan, which, although limited by my medication sensitivities, was very effective. 

My treatment plan focused on ondansetron (Zofran) combined with regular IV fluids. By eight weeks’ gestation I was enrolled in home healthcare, where a nurse placed a new IV every few days. 

My husband initially helped set up the IV fluids, but I eventually took over, infusing 3 liters of Lactated Ringer’s with D5 daily, tapering to 1-2 liters by 20 weeks’ gestation. Over time, hospital-administered banana bags with added vitamins and minerals became less necessary as the IV fluids helped me keep some food down and seemed to boost Zofran’s effectiveness.

Treatments were adjusted as needed. What worked one week didn’t always work the next!  At eight weeks’ gestation, I switched from sublingual to IV Zofran for better relief. I transitioned back to sublingual upon my discharge from home healthcare, continuing until the night I delivered. 

Final Thoughts 

When my OB thanked me for what I had taught them, I felt a deep sense of validation and relief. I had worked hard to prepare for my second pregnancy, advocate for myself, and address the missteps of my first HG experience.

To all HG Warriors, my advice is this: educate yourself, advocate for yourself, and always take an active role in your HG care and management.

Even if you can’t find an HG expert in your area, the HER Foundation and Harmonia Healthcare are invaluable resources for support and guidance on your journey. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out to them—they are here to help!

Kathryn is a mentor and advocate dedicated to raising awareness and supporting those impacted by hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). A two-time HG survivor with a PhD in Psychological & Brain Sciences, she combines science-based expertise with the compassionate understanding gained from her own experience. After transforming her own traumatic journey with HG, Kathryn identified significant gaps in knowledge and support, leading her to transition from her academic research career to helping women and their families navigate this challenging condition. Learn more about her story and the resources she offers on Instagram @HGMentor, or reach out to her at kathryn@hgmentor.com