Tag: hyperemesis gravidarum
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a rare condition that affects 0.5–2.0% of pregnant women. It has a weird, hard-to-spell name but I think it should just be called ‘living hell’. The word itself is broken down to mean “hyper” is over- excessive or severe, “Emesis” is a medical term for vomiting, and “Gravidarum” is pregnancy. Put the word together for severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
I’ve had severe morning sickness (a.k.a. hyperemesis gravidarum, HG) a total of three times. During those times, no one was able to cook in the kitchen because the smell made me vomit. We ate take-out or processed food. I could only eat food that was fresh and made somewhere else. I couldn’t eat anything unless I craved it in every cell of my being. It had to be the very exact thing, otherwise I couldn’t fathom eating.
There is no one way to prevent hyperemesis gravidarum, a.k.a. HG or morning sickness x 1,000. At least, not that I know of and I have looked high ‘n low to end this horrible misery. I have read every book on the topic and spoke to women who have survived this debilitating nausea and vomiting … including myself who suffered HG 3 times. What is HG? A rare prenatal condition. Duchess Kate had it.
During each of my pregnancies, I made a promise to myself that if I survived the living hell of HG then I would help others get through it as well. So, here I am. More about my story here.
I hope the list of foods below help lessen the degree in which you are affected by HG.
I had severe morning sickness, a.k.a. hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), with all my pregnancies. It was worse with each one; 12 weeks with my first son, 15 weeks with my daughter, and 40 weeks with my second son.
Labor was NOTHING after weeks and months of living torture. I couldn’t lift my head, read a book, or drink more then a teaspoon of water. I’d give birth any day if it meant avoiding the nausea and suffering I had being pregnant.

This post contains photos that may be disturbing, view at own discretion.
On July 27th 2006, I lost a baby girl so tiny she fit in my palm with her legs dangling over. She was 15 weeks with delicate features complete in formation; simply needed time to plump up. She had the beginnings of eyelashes, fingernails, a cleft in her chin.
She fluttered inside me the first time the day before I miscarried. The severe morning sickness I experienced throughout pregnancy had lifted a week prior. I was on the up and up, looking pregnant and feeling a bit more normal, ready to welcome the next phase of pregnancy.
My Red Yoga Mat

I love my red yoga mat that is full of stains. Like a loved teddy bear, my mat will have to be in pieces before I let it go. My mat has been with me through thick ‘n thin since my early 20’s when I taught myself step by step how to do each yoga posture with a little book written by Richard Hittleman.
This was all back before my children were born and my career had taken off. Back when the days were seamless and I went wherever the wind seemed to blow. One of those places was Esalen in Big Sur; where my love for yoga deepened into the easy practice that I continue to this day.