Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Date: 2001-05-25

Question:
Hello, i would like to extend my appreciation for having such a wonderful web site on HG.I suffered through HG in my first pregnancy with my daughter who is now 4. I vomited every 15 minutes everyday for 9 months it was horrible! But i continued with pregnancy and with all the medication i was given, my daughter was born a beautiful healthy little girl.The second time around was more severe and my pregnancy ended with an abortion.I'm sorry to say. I ended up suffering from depression because of it. Now I'm looking to have another child but am scared to death! Everyone at the hospital said i was the worst case they had ever seen.I need help! and i don't know how to find a doctor in my area who maybe specializes in HG.I'm from the United States. I live in Stamford, CT and im 30 minutes outside New York city.Is there a way to find a doctor who might be knowledgable about HG, my doctor was not, he actually saw how sick i was and took it pretty lightly. Any info will help.

Answer:
We do understand your fear about planning another pregnancy, although no two pregnancies are alike and the next one might be easier. We do not have the resources to give you a referral in the States. You might want to contact the obstetrics department at your regional hospitals, prenatal classes and even breastfeeding support groups to search for other women who have had similar experiences.

In planning your next pregnancy, you might want to take a vitamin supplement, especially vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and start NVP treatment at the very first sign of NVP symptoms. Cases of extreme HG not responding to antiemetic treatments have been reported. Some of those women were carriers of the H. Pylori stomach bacterial which requires a different course of treatment. You might want to consider the possibility that you have been positive and be tested.

Finally, the NVP group at Motherisk has developed a treatment algorithm for NVP HG treatment and can send it to interested doctors or hospitals to see if all available treatments have been considered. You might want to suggest that your doctor contact us to discuss this treatment algorithm.