summary of hyperemesis research

[Guest guest]

I have been doing a great deal of research on hyperemesis gravadarium (Latin

for " extreme vomiting of the pregnant woman " ) since I'm facing it. I'd like

to summarize some of what I have learned in case it might be a help to

others.

Vitamin B6 with or without doxylamine (OTC Unisom tabs) has been shown to be

a help. The USDA for B6 in pregnant women is 2mg. Five servings of raw

milk or kefir a day results in approximately one-quater, or .5mg of the

daily needs of B6 in pregnancy. The standard recommendation for women

suffering from hyperemesis is to take by IV, injection or orally 100mg,

2-3x/day. This is virtually impossible to get in food. Toxicity occurs in

levels at 500mg/day when sustained, in the form of neural s/s and tremors.

The form of B6 recommended is pyridoxial 5 phosphate. Concurrent to the B6,

magnesium citrate is recommended. Up the dosage daily until you find the

point that it gives you loose stools, then back down on it until you're

comfortable.

Vitamin K in conjunction with Vitamin C has been a help to some women. The

recommendation is for 5mg once daily taken at the same time as 25mg Vit C.

This dose is difficult to find, as most pills are micrograms. Injections

are available.

Hydration is a major issue in hyperemesis, as most women can not keep

anything down when they become dedydrated. Once you go into ketosis, you

need to rehydrate yourself in one of two ways. You can go to the hospital

for an IV, or you can use a rehydration solution in an enema.

Some women experience HG as a result of gluten intolerance. Eliminating all

gluten before concieving and continuing the diet through pregnancy may be a

help.

Half a lemon in hot water first thing in the morning and before bed will

help the liver clear excess hormones. If the HG is due to liver congestion,

milk thistle and dandelion should be taken daily. Coffee enemas might also

be of help, but it is debatable whether it is the coffee or the hydration

from the enema that has the beneficial effects.

Spend time before concieving consuming vitamin and mineral dense foods to

ensure you have adequate stores. This will help keep you from becoming

depleted as quickly. Continue with nutritionally dense foods, concentrating

on the above vitamins, until the hyperemesis starts. Follow the WAP

recommended diet for pregnancy, cutting out the grains. Once you become

ill, concentrate on the nutrient dense foods you can tolerate. Some women

find that if they begin consuming 100 grams of protein a day before the

hyperemesis starts, they can keep it under control. Frequent, small meals

and eating and drinking through the night before getting sick can be a

tremendous preventative measure as well.

Keep a close check on blood sugar levels, and cut out carbs from starchy

veggies and grains as needed to help keep it under control. Blood glucose

monitors are available OTC.

Set up an action plan. Prevention is key with hyperemesis, especially with

dehydration. Decide now when you will call someone in to help you, babysit

the kids, go to the hospital, etc... Have the needed medications on hand

once you get a positive pregnancy test so you can begin immediately on the

nutritionals, and have a perscription on hand so you can try to stop the

downward spiral at the first sign of nausea once it begins.

Get everything in place before trying to concieve. Find a

hyperemesis-friendly OB or other physician who is up-to-date on current

medication treamtments should it be needed (Zofran, although terribly

expensive, seems to hlep many women). For many women, they reach several

points where medication must be used to keep from going into a downward

spiral. Get the house clean, do all the shopping needed for during the

pregnancy, get haircuts for everyone, stock up the pantry and freezer, put

plenty of meals in the freezer so your family can eat if needed. Line up

volunteers for cleaning your kitchen, watching the kids, whatever you might

need. Do liver, colon, and gallbladder cleanses.

Good resources include the Hyperemesis Research and Education Foundation at

http://www.helpher.org and the nutritional database at

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/SR15/wtrank/wt_rank.html.

If anyone has anything more to add, I'm all ears.

KerryAnn

owner, NTOAMC/

owner, NT-kids

http://cookingnt.blogspot.com/ - updated 12/20

http://krankedyann.blogspot.com/ - updated 11/30