The Pregnant Pause

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a rare condition that affects less than 2% of pregnant women. The cause is unknown, but symptoms can be severe, including excessive nausea and vomiting, dehydration, depression, and nutritional deficiencies.  Many sufferers experience vomiting throughout their pregnancy, instead of merely in the first trimester.

Women who experience hyperemesis can lose up to 20% of their body weight throughout their pregnancies. This rapid weight loss, if not treated, can cause serious side effects and be dangerous for both mother and fetus.  Hyperemesis (HG) can be treated, however, through a combination of medication and IV hydration.

From the moment Mr. Sperm introduced himself to Ms. Egg, I knew I was pregnant. Not because of women’s intuition, or a mysterious sign from God - that would have been too easy. I knew because before the test ever showed positive, I was bent double over the toilet. Seven to eight times a day.

After I visited the doctor for the first time, I came home with prescription meds for nausea, and all the normal help for morning sickness advice, which is fodder for another post. Nothing worked…the vomiting continued. For four months. In fact, I’m 24 weeks today and still throw up several times per week.

I’ve been diagnosed with a lovely condition called hyperemesis gravidarum, which is Latin for “pregnant woman who vomits without ceasing while begging her husband to kill her quickly”  You know it’s bad when your 18 month old begins to “pretend vomit” while saying “mommy…sick….mommy…sick”.  Hopefully she’s not scarred for life.

A pregnant pause (as in the classical definition, “many possibilities”) is a technique of comic timing used to accentuate a comedy element, where the comic pauses at the end of a phrase to build up suspense. It’s often used at the end of a comically awkward statement or in the silence after a seemingly non-comic phrase to build up a comeback.

www.wikipedia.com

Raising a toddler and a home business while gestating means that life is filled with these comedic moments. Our pregnancy itself has been rather surprising, and we’re only halfway there. Join me for the ride as I live out my “comically awkward” life, with many bumps, stops, and pauses along the way.