Pregnancy Update - 23 weeks

If you're reading this you probably already know that we are expecting baby #2 in July. My official due date is July 9 but for many reasons, I'll be having a scheduled (repeat) cesarean section about a week before that. Right now I'm thinking July 2, but we'll see as we get closer.

Much like last time, I have been sick daily. I hate to call in morning sickness because that isn't even close to being an accurate description. (the true name is hyperemesis gravidarum) It usually starts around 2 or 4 pm and lasts until bed time. There's no real nausea so all of the normal nausea remedies don't help. So far I have tried...
*zofran (I'll take the puking over the gastrointestinal backups any day!)
*phenergan (makes me too sleepy)
*benedryl (again with the sleepiness - not good for daytime)
*vitamin B6
*reglan
*tigan
and the latest in my ever growing home pharmacy:
*steroids - a 6 day pack that is supposed to help settle everything so maybe I can get a little break
*Zoloft - not a antiemetic (i.e. stop the puking) but may help even the mood swings that happen when you throw up 5+ times a day.

You know it's bad when your OB has to dig into her little prescription book to look up alternatives because her usuals haven't cut it. And it's really bad when she has to call up a specialist to get more options. That's how I ended up with the steroids and Zoloft. I was a little skeptical of the Zoloft (anti-depressant) at first but I'm willing to try. It's amazing how "down" you feel after a night of several visits to the bathroom. I'm only on day 2 of the new ones so we'll see how it goes. If day 1 was any indication it just might do the trick. I was down to 2 incidents yesterday instead of the usual 4-5+.

If you'd like more information on Hyperemesis Gravidarum, please visit www.helpher.org. They have a lot of really, really useful information about treatment options, how to be supportive, etc.

Aside from the sickness, the rest of the pregnancy is going fine. We had our 20 week ultrasound a few weeks ago (yes... it's still a surprise) and baby is growing right on track. It's kind of amazing given that I actually haven't gained any weight. But I hardly gained with Allison and she was no small fry at birth so I guess it's really true that babies take all they need.

I'll be back soon with updated pictures of our cutie pie!