So Your Misses Got Hyperemesis (Gravidarum)
Chapter 2: Definitions
Part 5: Defining Your Goals In Light of HG Pregnancy
So how do you deal with hyperemesis gravidarum?
As you can see, it’s still unclear what causes hyperemesis. This makes it very difficult to find a cure for this dangerous condition, allowing only partial treatment of the symptoms. In other words, partially relieving nausea and vomiting with medication, preventing dehydration with hydration, and in more extreme cases, also providing nutrition through a drip, and treating additional complications that hyperemesis brings.
And this brings us to a very, very important definition that you have to make:
What is your goal, as a couple and a family, going through this period together?
Here’s the goal definition I came up with and operate by, and I believe it will suit you too:
As a family, your goal is to contain and manage the hyperemesis, to control the condition, to provide the woman with the best possible treatment to maintain her health and the health of the fetus. Aim to minimize the difficulty and allow for as normal a life as possible during the period of hyperemesis gravidarum.
There’s one more definition we need to talk about: What is your role in all of this, as the partner of a woman with hyperemesis?
Hyperemesis started for us around week 6. Within days, my wife was unable to function, losing weight, and constantly at risk of dehydration.
As for me, I try to be a supportive spouse. Sometimes I succeed more, sometimes less. When we realized that my wife’s condition wasn’t part of a normal pregnancy but rather a more complicated and dangerous one, I tried to figure my role in all of this. Here’s what I understood:
“My wife, the mother of my future child, is the real hero. Every pregnancy is challenging for a woman, and this pregnancy is going to be especially tough. My role is to help my wife through this period in any way I can.”
As the partner of a woman with hyperemesis, I believe adopting this definition will also allow you to understand your place during the period of hyperemesis and enable you to handle it better.
Now we can begin.