NVP Counselor
Date: 2003-06-26

Question:
I have been pregnant twice. I experienced severe hyperemesis. I was hospitalized for 1 month. I lost 23 lbs total due to the lack of eating. I was so sick that I could not drink water or eat anything. I was hydrated through iv. This happened for both pregnancies. I could not hold on any longer. I was week and I decided to terminate the pregnancies. This hurt really bad. It is now 4 years later and my husband and I want to try again. I need help with this condition. Please help me. I want a child and I want to stay healthy also. What can or should I do? I want to plan ahead.

Answer:
We understand that your past two pregnancies have left you worried. However you might experience lighter symptoms in a future pregnancy. Nonetheless, try to prepare as well as possible. Our first suggestion would be to start taking Vitamin B6, 25 mg , 3 times daily before becoming pregnant. Vitamin B6 has beeen shown to be helpful. Also, talk to your doctor about starting medication for NVP on day one of your symptoms. You should also bear in mind that some women who suffer from severe hyperemesis can be carriers of the stomach H. Pylori bacteria. This can result in similar severe symptoms that don't respond to the usual NVP treatment. Talk to your doctor about being tested for that bacteria.

Please stay positive. Your symptoms may not be so sever. If they are, be prepared to treat them immediately. An NVP treatment algorithm can be found in our February 2002 Motherisk Update, posted in the Newsletters and Updates section of this website. For more information call our Motherisk NVP Helpline at 1-800-436-8477.