So Your Misses Got Hyperemesis (Gravidarum)

When the nurses at the clinic noticed we were coming in every 3-4 days, they suggested we request home hospitalization from our healthcare provider. We didn’t know such a service existed, and it sounded interesting.

We looked into it and found that as part of this service, we would receive all the IV fluids and equipment needed to manage the infusions at home. The cannula would simply remain in my wife’s arm, and every few days, a nurse would come to replace it. A doctor would also be available for check-ups and treatment if needed.

It sounded good. Instead of going to the clinic or hospital every few days, spending long hours while my wife received fluids, she could now get the IV at home.

If your wife suffers from hyperemesis gravidarum, it’s important to be aware of the option of home hospitalization and consider it. Check with your doctors if it’s medically suitable and covered by your insurance.

The process of getting approval for home hospitalization was relatively quick. The first step was to talk to the doctor overseeing our pregnancy, so she could approve the request and fill out a form we received from the nurses at the clinic.

Our doctor was surprised to hear that my wife required such a drastic treatment, but she signed the form approving our request (again, most doctors we met don’t fully understand how severe HG can be—more on that later), and we submitted the request. Within 2 or 3 days, our request was approved, and a friendly nurse arrived at our home with a box full of IV fluids.

But with hyperemesis gravidarum, there’s always a “but”… so although we were really hoping we had found a solution for my wife, that wasn’t the case. By the time the nurse arrived, my wife was already dehydrated and exhausted. The nurse couldn’t find a vein for the IV. He called a doctor, who also tried—and also couldn’t succeed. They referred us back to the hospital, with apologies and an explanation that my wife likely needed closer supervision than they could provide.

Home hospitalization based on a permanent cannula didn’t work for us. We still highly recommend looking into this option since it might work for you. It offers an alternative to regular visits to the clinic or hospital, spares the pain of repeatedly inserting cannulas into tired veins, and saves a lot of time sitting in a clinic waiting for the IV to finish. It’s important to know this option exists and see if it’s the solution you need.