|
Who could survive seven months of vomiting and starvation, followed by a hemorrhage after delivery, then weeks of sleep deprivation and utter exhaustion? Trying to coodinate and problem solve in such a condition is impossible. At some point, anyone would question their ability to be a mom. 
Fortunately, most of these people have family or partners who are loyal and will help a mom through recovery and the transition to motherhood. I thought I had that, but never had needed anyone to care for me or had to hire home health, so I did not know those around me were more loyal to their family than me.
 My health deteriorated over time, continuing into the first months after i delivered my twins. My weight gain was only 10 pound over my pre-pregnancy weight when I delivered, and it dropped dramatically after delivery. My hair was falling out from malnutrition. For progreesive pictures of this, see my biography page.
The Needhams were fully aware of how I was sick and in need of sleep but pursued this adoption when I was most vulnerable.
Research confirms women are in worse shape six weeks after delivery, than at birth. Experts at the trial confirmed that someone in my condition would not be able to make decisions. One expert even suggested it was inhumane to be treated the way I was.
- 40% of women on bed rest during pregnancy (not due to HG) complained of continued fatigue, mood changes, tenseness, difficulty concentrating, and pain after 6 weeks postpartum. This was magnified in women who had c-sections. (Maloni)
- Sleep deprivation is greatest in first time mothers and during the first month. 75-78% mothers continued to have poor sleep efficiency at 6 weeks postpartum, and first time mothers had not returned to prepregnancy sleep patterns at 3 months. (Lee 2000)
- Sleep deprived mothers are less alert, easily fatigued, and have difficulty learning about and caring for their newborns. (Nursing CEU)
- Extreme fatigue can magnify feelings of inadequacy in mothers. (NursingCEU)
HEALTH CHRONOLOGY
The chronology that follows details how hyperemesis takes over your life, leaving you totally dependent on others. Click on the thumbnails to see the full PDF.
At my first visit to the high-risk OB, my weight in my 7th month of pregnancy carrying twins, was less than at the beginning of my pregnant! I was starving.
PICC (IV) placed
near the heart
for nutrition
Prescription for total parenteral (IV) nutrition
My esophagus was bleeding from tears caused by forceful and repetitive vomiting
 A DAY WITH SEVERE HG
Read what a day with severe HG is like.
Sleep is elusive, pain ever-present, and
fatigue is debilitating.
Despite IV nutrition, my blood sugars were extremely low almost every week. Hypoglycemia causes difficulty in thinking.
Bleeding after
c-section
Baby's weights - Holly was so tiny and had reflux
About a month after delivery, I was seen by my OB for a check-up. My blood pressure was a bit low and my weight was only 117 lbs. My normal is about 135 as I am 5'6". I was too busy and tired to make meals and was deteriorating rapidly. Despite 5 units of blood, I was still anemic, which made me tired and made thinking difficult.
Still anemic - Hgb 9.3
 LIFE WITH TWINS
They say twins are at least 2-3 times the work of a single baby. See what a day with twins is like. Having a premature baby with reflux means short naps and feedings every other hour.
|
.jpg)
