I would like to start off by saying thank you for doing a special on this disease. It is so important for people to realize what this disease is, and to know that if someone is experiencing symptoms of HG, talk to your doctor and make sure he/she listens.
Then I would like to tell all of those wondering about HG that it is the hardest thing I can imagine someone going through. Those in my family who have suffered from cancers and other horrible illnesses have told me that at least they had a reprieve here and there, though those with HG have none. It is a horrible disease, and there are times that you don't know if it will be worth it. It affects you physically, emotionally, and financially.
I have had two HG pregnancies, with the first being what is called MILD - though to anyone with a normal pregnancy even that is horrible. The next pregnancy, I had Severe HG, which I don't think there is any way to fully describe. The support system I had was better than I could have asked for and was probably the most important thing for dealing with HG. There is no way for me to even imagine what I would have done without these wonderful people. I know that I could not have fought so hard and survived without them. I too was unable to care for my child while pregnant. Half of the time I was on so many medications and so sick I didn't even realize I was slowly dying, though everyone around me did. All my preconceived notions of motherhood went down the drain. Around the 7th month I'd started to lose myself to the disease. I was in the hospital for another stay and begging my doctor daily to figure something out, induce me, anything. I cried daily, but at the same time wanted to stay strong for everyone around me so I tried to hide how hard it was. I begged my doctor to induce me daily, even calling her at home. Of course there was no doctor who could do such a thing at that point in the pregnancy, so I started receiving steroid shots and having amino's until we would know that the baby's lungs were developed. I would count down until it was time for another, and then feel crushed when it wasn't time yet. My family was getting more scared by the day that I was just going to give out and they would lose us both. Luckily, even though we had a few VERY close calls, both me and my baby were able to survive.
Financially, many insurances don't cover medications since they are not deemed medically safe for pregnancy. The costs run well over $500 a day in many cases. Many people can't afford the medications to treat them, so what are they to do?
Thank you Dr. Phil. Due to you running this special, I have shared my story, and through friends and family forwarding it on I have been able to help women who have just been diagnosed with this disease. It has helped me to heal, and to come to terms with my grief of not being able to have more children, and my guilt of not being there for my daughter while I went through the last pregnancy.
