40 weeks with Eisley. I only gained 9 pounds, because I was so sick and lost almost 20 pounds in the beginning.
If you know anything about my own personal journey into becoming a mama, you know my pregnancies weren’t glamorous. In fact, one of the reasons I wanted my births to be so redemptive is because of how difficult those months were. I’ve recently had a few friends struggle with “morning” sickness, and it brought back all of the feelings (but thankfully not nausea).
The hard truth is that nothing helped my nausea. There were a few tricks that took the edge off and allowed me to get myself dressed and out of bed on occasion. If you are struggling with morning sickness or worse-hyperemesis gravidarum like I did, I hope you find help and some relief with these tools. But remember, I am not a doctor and I can’t offer you medical advice.
I did acupuncture when I was pregnant with Eisley, and I credit my fewer hospitalizations to it. I can say that I threw up less, even though my nausea was still intense. And even though he says I was his most difficult case, Brent (from We Love Acupuncture) is truly the best. He is so knowledgable about pregnancy and is passionate about working with families. I can’t recommend him enough.
Vitamin B was my best friend. It’s one of two ingredients from the leading pharmaceutical drug used to treat morning sickness (that did nothing for me). I use Ortho-Molecular Methyl B Complex. I took two in the morning on an empty stomach, one around lunch, and one at bedtime. This crazy regimen could bring my nausea from around an 8 (on a scale of 1-10) to around a 6, which in real life meant throwing up on Archer, or being able to read to him.
This one is a little weird, and I don’t understand it, but it did make a difference. In Chinese medicine, there are two types of nausea-one where you have to warm up your body, and one where your body is too hot. I had the first, and it was obvious. I wanted to wear my furry boots and a sweater in the heat of summer. Eating my food hot and drinking warm beverages helped things stay down, and warming scents like ginger and cinnamon were enjoyable, whereas peppermint and citrus (which are cooling) usually sent me to the trash can. Helping your body be warmer, or staying cool, can help you lower your nausea level.
Another hospital stay.
Lastly, remember to keep your head up and ask for help. It sounds simple, but after months of not being able to care for yourself or your family, it’s easy to slip into the abyss of darkness. I kept an ultrasound picture by my bed and in my bathroom so when I felt my worse I could see what I was fighting for. I learned to ask for help with my dishes, my laundry, and with caring for Archer. I had to accept meals from friends, Chris had to help me shower (and not in a sexy way), and I had to adjust my expectations of myself.
People will say “it will all be worth it,” and it is true. There are no words to describe how thankful I am for my two little people. But I also say getting pregnant again would literally kill me. Those (combined) 18 months of endless barf were just plain hard. I am here to say that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. That you can make it. That I am cheering for you. And that you will one day feel like yourself again.