Thank Goodness For A Good Dr!

Yes, as the title implies I recently changed my OB and found a new awesome one!  Don't get me wrong, I love my old OB.  He helped me get through a horrible pregnancy with my daughter and has always been wonderful.  But this pregnancy has been rather different.  To start, since I've been through HG before, I know what I want.  I know what treatment I need and I'm choosing to be a lot more straight forward and aggressive for what I need to get better.  Because I started treatment early and have not been showing normal signs of HG, such as rapid weight loss and daily vomiting, my old OB told me I don't actually have HG this time around and basically refused to help me treat my unrelenting and debilitating nausea.  Upon leaving his office frustrated, I began to consider needing to find a new OB.  But where to start?!  I'd already interviewed 2 other Dr's earlier in my pregnancy and did not feel like either were adequately prepared to deal with my unique situation.  

Thankfully my mom and I got in a conversation and she told me that a lady in her bible study had recently suffered an HG pregnancy and LOVED her OB.  To top it off, she is the wife of my pediatrician.  I had my first appointment with her on Thursday.  She spent SO much time with me, listening to all of my concerns and was willing to help me in any way she could.  When I told her how I'm not showing ketones, but that I feel dehydrated a lot she immediately got on the phone with my home health company and ordered IV hydration.  She also informed me to feel free to go to the hospital as much as needed for fluids.  Then when I told her I am still experiencing unrelenting nausea she listened to all of the different medicines I recently heard about and how I was wondering if some of it had to do with acid reflux (something I dealt with in my last pregnancy).  She then wrote me a prescription for an delayed release anti-acid to try.  She also gave me some chewable pre-natals made for women with severe morning sickness.  I've never been able to take a pre-natal before because they are so hard on the stomach, but these ones seem to be working ok and she even told me if they bother me in the least bit to stop taking them.  She made me feel so at ease!  To top it off she is giving me the option to do another c-section or try for a VBAC.  I have not made my decision on which I would like to do, as my other OB told me I needed a c-section!

Anyway, my goodness how much better I've gotten since that visit just a few short days ago.  I really believe the anti-acid is helping me immensely.  Although I am still nauseated all day, every day, and still throw up every couple of days, the nausea has become much more bearable.  In fact I've gained 2 lbs just in the last few days, increased my fluids enough where I don't think I'll need IV hydration for a bit, and today was successfully able to stop taking Unisom during the day.  Because of this I was MUCH less tired. Today I was even able to take a short trip to the grocery store and play with my daughter a little, both things I haven't been able to do in over 5 weeks!  I am praying SO SO much that this is the start of my recovery.  I am aware that I will probably be on some sort of medicine my entire pregnancy, but to be able to function is a HUGE blessing.  Hopefully I only continue to get better and stronger and even be able to get off this awful zofran pump (fingers crossed!)  This is my prayer and I ask that anyone who reads this unites with me in prayer.  I truly believe in the power of building an army of prayer warriors during times such as these, so if you are willing to pray for me please do!!!

For all those mamas out there facing and fighting this HG battle with me, I am praying for you!  Please please please reach out and find support.  It makes a world of a difference to connect with people who understand your battle and finding a Dr. who is willing to do anything to make you better rather then sit back and watch you suffer.  You and your baby are worth it!