I can’t help it. I’ve always wanted to be a princess. My mom used to say we were royalty without a country. I even did the genealogy of my family and somehow found that we are related to the kings and queens of England! All this to say, I’m totally excited about Will and Kate’s baby! I know, it’s THEIR baby not mine, but I’m excited. They seem like a really cool couple and they are royalty.
I was sad to hear that the reason we know so soon is because Kate is so sick. I pray that she has a mildecase and is able to get past hyperemesis gravidarum in a few weeks. This morning, I saw someone from www.helpher.org, which is the website for the foundation H.E.R. Foundation, on the CBS Morning Show. The guest talked about this condition and the website. Here’s the gist of hyperemesis gravidarum per the website.
“Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. It is generally described as unrelenting, excessive pregnancy-related nausea and/or vomiting that prevents adequate intake of food and fluids. If severe and/or inadequately treated, it is typically associated with: loss of greater than 5% of pre-pregnancy body weight (usually over 10%), dehydration and production of ketones, nutritional deficiencies, metabolic imbalances, difficulty with daily activities.
HG usually extends beyond the first trimester and may resolve by 21 weeks; however, it can last the entire pregnancy in less than half of these women. Complications of vomiting (e.g. gastric ulcers, esophageal bleeding, malnutrition, etc.) may also contribute to and worsen ongoing nausea.” – www.helpher.org
When reading about HG, it made me think about other conditions that can occur during pregnancy. We imagine an easy, glowing pregnancy, but that doesn’t always happen. I have two friends who experienced preeclampsia and also met Mrs. Colorado 2012 who had it with both pregnancies. It seems from the numbers, that preeclampsia is more common than HG, but still affects a small part of the population. The website www.preeclampsia.org has helpful information. Here’s the gist of preeclampsia per their website.
“Preeclampsia is a disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period and affects both the mother and the unborn baby. Affecting at least 5-8% of all pregnancies, it is a rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. Swelling, sudden weight gain, headaches and changes in vision are important symptoms; however, some women with rapidly advancing disease report few symptoms.
Typically, preeclampsia occurs after 20 weeks gestation (in the late 2nd or 3rd trimesters or middle to late pregnancy) and up to six weeks postpartum, though in rare cases it can occur earlier than 20 weeks. Proper prenatal care is essential to diagnose and manage preeclampsia. HELLP syndrome and eclampsia (seizures) are other variants of preeclampsia.
Typically, preeclampsia occurs after 20 weeks gestation (in the late 2nd or 3rd trimesters or middle to late pregnancy) and up to six weeks postpartum, though in rare cases it can occur earlier than 20 weeks. Proper prenatal care is essential to diagnose and manage preeclampsia. HELLP syndrome and eclampsia (seizures) are other variants of preeclampsia.
Most women with preeclampsia will deliver a healthy baby and fully recover. However, some women will experience complications, several of which may be life-threatening to mother and/or baby. A woman’s condition can go from a mild form of preeclampsia to severe preeclampsia very quickly.
Preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy can be devastating diseases, made worse by delays in diagnosis or management, seriously impacting or even killing both women and their babies before, during or after birth.
Globally, preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death. By conservative estimates, these disorders are responsible for 76,000 maternal and 500,000 infant deaths each year.” – www.preeclampsia.org
A friend of mine was in for a regular doctor’s check up, they diagnosed her and sent her straight to the hospital. She stayed there for a few weeks and seemed fine (other than missing her toddler at home with his dad.) One night about midnight, all her bells and whistles went off and they emergently took the baby. It’s been 2 ½ years and both mom and little girl are great, but it was a very scary night and days to come for the mother, weeks to come with her daughter.
From what I’ve read, in both of these cases – KNOWING your body and getting to the doctor right away if you feel something isn’t normal is KEY!!!! I hope to have lots of conversation around preeclampsia both at church and here on the blog. It is a condition/disorder that many people don’t know about, but can be very dangerous for both mother and child. As we wait this Advent for Jesus’ arrival, don’t wait if you or a pregnant loved one isn’t feeling well.
Lauren Boyd
Director of Programming and Membership at PHUMC
Partner to Candi, Mother to Miller who is 5
For those of you who feel like these conditions are abstract, I have a personal connection to hyperemesis. My sister in law has dealt with that condition for both of her pregnancies. It's an awful, crushing condition, and my heart goes out to any mom who has experienced it.
ReplyDelete