Prepare for a positive birth with The Birth Class
What is infertility?
The Two Week Wait
What is low PAPP-A?
Gestational Diabetes (GD)
Birthing Ball for Labour
Birth Trauma
Caesarean Birth Recovery
How to Plan Sleep in Postpartum
Aside from the horrendous symptoms, no one can really explain why it happens which can definitely add to the frustration of the experience although it’s important to know that it doesn’t discriminate; it affects women of all ages and nationalities.
Despite your overwhelm, remember that you aren’t alone; there is a whole community of women who know exactly what you’re going through. I strongly recommend you head to HG Australia for resources and support for both yourself and your partner – hyperemesisaustralia.org.au
If you’re unsure if you’ve got HG but you’re currently navigating the challenge of Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy (NVP), it’s best that you make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible (HG is regarded as the most severe form of NVP). In the meantime, the following symptoms are typical of HG:
HG is often defined by a vicious cycle of these profound symptoms with little to no reprieve, hence sufferers slip into chronic dehydration and malnutrition which subsequently leads to:
Yes, it’s an incredibly debilitating disease that is considered rare, although anecdotally I feel like it affects significantly more pregnancies than the 1% reported. There have been many women featured on the podcast who have suffered from it, you can listen to their stories HERE.
If you find you’re in a perpetual cycle of vomiting and nausea and you can’t keep fluids down, it’s best that you present to your local Emergency Department where you’ll most likely be admitted for IV fluids. Once discharged, it’s best to connect with your GP or OB (if you’re under the care of a midwife or midwifery group practice, they will most likely refer you onto your GP). You can expect a discussion around medication (please don’t attach any guilt to your need for medication…if it eases your symptoms, it’s a good option for you!), your mental health and the steps you can take to support yourself.
The severe physical symptoms of HG can lead to feelings of isolation and identity crisis (losing your sense of self that’s connected to career, socialising and relationships). Consequently, HG sufferers are 50% more likely to develop perinatal depression and/or anxiety. Don’t hesitate to seek support from a perinatal psychologist if you feel that you need professional help; your care provider or GP will refer you.
It’s important to note that there are still doctors and specialists who don’t take HG seriously and if that’s your experience, find a new doctor. You are the only person who truly knows how you feel so don’t let anyone (professional or not) dismiss your symptoms or your feelings. If you connect with HG Australia or Facebook forums for HG sufferers, you’ll find an online support team who understands your pain and experience and will say all the right things to help you navigate the following months. Validation of you and your experience is absolutely crucial for your mental well-being.
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Following your 12 week combined screening test, results may show low PAPP-A. This isn’t uncommon but it’s also not something that’s commonly discussed between friends or in pregnancy forums, hence it can be overwhelming at first.
If you are preparing for your glucose tolerance test between 24 to 28 weeks (or earlier if you have a history of insulin resistance), you may be wondering what gestational diabetes is and how it affects your pregnancy.
Chances are you’ve never heard of cytomegalovirus, even though you’ve likely had it. It’s a very common virus in the herpes virus family with 50 per cent of Australians having been infected by young adulthood and up to 85 per cent by 40 years of age.
Pregnancy is a common experience but we can’t forget how miraculous it is. The fact that you’re growing new life within you - and a whole new, temporary organ to sustain that life - is mind blowing when you stop to *actually* think about it. And for these reasons, it’s so important that you prioritise rest in pregnancy because it’s true - your body is working so hard to grow and sustain your baby and keep you healthy and energised, too.
If you’re nearing the end of your pregnancy, you’re likely taking note of every little twinge. It can quickly become allconsuming, especially if you’re past your estimated due date and well and truly over being pregnant.
The Miles Circuit can be used as a tool to encourage your baby into an aligned and ideal birthing position.
One in every 200 pregnancies is affected by placenta previa at full term (37 weeks), where the placenta implants at the bottom of the uterus and obstructs (partially or fully covers) the cervix.
Precipitous labour is a very fast/rapid labour. A labour is considered precipitous when it lasts less than three hours from the onset of regular contractions to the birth of the baby.