I have a beautiful friend who is peaceful about most things. When I called a few years ago to tell her about my studies to become a doula, she got more heated than I’ve ever known her to be. She IMPLORED me to “if I did nothing else” spread the word about something that happened to her when she was pregnant. It was terrifying because not only was it severe, but no one seemed to know about it.
Her story scared me. Her story broke my heart. Her story made me ever grateful that she and her beautiful babies came out the other side. Her story pissed me off because how, oh, how can no one know about this?? But as much as I wanted to tell it, scream it from the rooftops, I didn’t know how to do it properly. So, I stayed quiet too long. Today, I read a story from another woman who has suffered the same way as my friend. Her story needs to be heard. Both of theirs do.
Hyperemisis Gravidarum – HG is a debilitating and potentially life-threatening pregnancy disease marked by rapid weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration due to unrelenting nausea and/or vomiting with potential adverse consequences for the newborn(s). – HelpHer.org
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I remember our conversation and your surprise when I got heated. I’m off to read this post now. Thank you for talking about this. Hyperemesis is still so unknown and under discussed that most people will be shocked to learn ther is even a name for it. I never once used the term morning sickness to describe what it’s like. It’s more food poisoning. Every day. For nine months. You forget pregnancy is a “happy time” and instead will yourself to live through it daily.
I just couldn’t understand how it was so bad and I had no idea. It was guilt, not surprise. I just could never figure out how to write about it with enough depth. It always sounded like I was making stuff up. That’s why I was so happy to share Amy’s story. People need to know.