morning sickness/nursing

[2ndcareerRN_2004]

Hi Everyone,

I am sure there have been posts like this before, but I need some advice. I am 11 weeks pregnant and have been having a hard time with hyperemesis gravidia. I have already recvd IVF, am on zofran for nausea. But nothing seems to help with the n/v and the constant fatigue. This is my second pregnancy and I can only hope it gets better soon.

Anyway, I am having a very difficult time working as a RN during this time. The smells of the hospital are awful. I work 12 hr weekends nights, although I am going to be an agency RN starting in July (have been doing agency since Jan), and find that my once loved 12 hr nights (1900-0700) to be extremely exhausting. I am having a hard time taking care of my patients, almost don't want to take care of them. It is so hard to take care of others when you feel so awful yourself. I have thrown up at work and have had staff laugh and say "oh that is part of being pregnant" I don't know what I want to do, but all I want to do is crawl in a hole, away from everyone and come out once I am feeling better.

Can anyone emphatized with me? Am I going crazy? I am on my 1st 12 out of three this weekend and I really want to call in the next two b/c of how awful I feel. Prior to being pregnant, I generally liked my job, now I absolutely hate it.

Please any advice would be helpful. Thanks everyone.

[lcbradley]

I feel your pain. I am 21 weeks pregnant now and just starting to feel some relief. I currently work in a nursing home and the smells were just too much. The running out of rooms or barely making it to the nearest trash can sounds all too familiar. Ginger ale and crackers did not work for me when I was as far along as you are either. I liked the preggie pops, but they just killed the bad taste for a little while. Every pregnancy is different and some common n/v foods just don't work for everyone. Spicy and salt and vinegar offered me some relief.

[everthesame, LPN, LVN]

I hope you feel better soon. I had hyperemesis with my daughter and fortunately for me phenergan worked reasonably well. On the phenergan I would only throw up 2 or 3 times a day instead of dry heaves every hour or so. I know some people who find sour foods like lemon drops or lemonade help.

I'm glad to hear you are able to change jobs. I firmly believe stress and emotional distress exacerbate hyperemesis. Working with unsupportive co-workers would only add to your stress.

Take care of yourself and I hope you feel better soon.