Second Pregnancy Challenges: Hyperemesis, Morning Sickness, and More

I am at a loss for words on how to begin this post. I’m here to share my journey in the hopes of inspiring and empowering someone who may find themselves in a similar situation. Guess what? I’m pregnant again! It may sound crazy to be expecting a second time, but it’s true. Despite the challenges I faced in my previous pregnancy, my husband and I knew deep down that we weren’t done growing our family and wanted to give our son a sibling. I’ll admit, I was filled with fear and a mix of emotions that day. The uncertainty of the future weighed heavily on me, but I held onto hope that things could be different this time.

What I am truly grateful for this time around is having a team of doctors who know exactly what steps to take. No more guessing games for us! Let me tell you, having a feeding tube during my first pregnancy was a lifesaver for both my baby and me. I no longer fear or worry about undergoing surgery or being poked multiple times if it means getting the help I need.

Just like any pregnancy, my first trimester was tough. The constant nausea and vomiting were amplified by my stomach motility issues. However, I managed to continue working my new job and caring for my 2-year-old. It was no easy feat, but we needed the extra income, so I pushed myself. It was around Thanksgiving when I had my J-tube inserted. Initially, it was supposed to be a quick procedure, but my body didn’t react well to it. I experienced extreme pain, and all my symptoms intensified.

Every movement became excruciating due to the incisions in my abdomen. After a few days, I was finally able to go home, but my belly continued to swell with air, causing even more discomfort. I looked like I was six months pregnant, but it was just inflammation. On top of everything, I also struggled with severe constipation for a whole week after the procedure. There were nights when I found myself crying on the bathroom floor due to the pain.

Thankfully, things gradually improved after a few weeks, and I was able to return to a semblance of normalcy. However, I did encounter some complications with my J-tube. My skin had severe reactions to the bandage and tape, resulting in pus oozing from the tube site for reasons unknown. I also experienced intense pain that felt like labor contractions, leading me to visit the emergency room multiple times fearing the worst. To avoid being tethered to the tube all day, I ran my feeds only at night.

My diet consisted of small portions of breakfast, snacks, and lunch, with the tube feeds starting early in the night until the following day. What I appreciated about having this surgical tube is that no one could tell. This time around, I didn’t receive strange looks or questions about what was on my face.

Throughout the ups and downs of this season in my life, I remained steadfast in the hope set before me – my daughter. I held onto Jesus’ hand and trusted in His guidance as I navigated through this challenging journey. Then one beautiful Saturday morning, my OB suggested intervening and inducing labor because the baby was deemed “too small.”

However, considering my husband’s and my height and weight, our baby was growing and developing just fine. Despite the doctor’s recommendation, I stood my ground and said no. I wanted my body to go into labor when it was ready. Later that evening, true labor began. It was my first experience with real contractions, so we decided it was time to head to the hospital. Upon arrival, I was already 5cm dilated. I had a birth plan which I explained to the nurse and doctor, including my desire for delayed cord clamping. When I mentioned this, the doctor laughed and dismissed the idea.

But the Lord had other plans. My labor stalled for hours, and they eventually administered Pitocin, which I had no idea would bring such intense pain. The contractions were unlike anything I had ever felt before. It felt as though every bone in my body was breaking. After four hours of excruciating pain and still being at 5cm.

I reached my breaking point and requested an epidural. Within 20 minutes of receiving it, I was fully dilated. However, my daughter’s heart rate dropped significantly after the epidural, causing a panic among the medical team. They rushed in and maneuvered the baby to elicit a reaction. Thankfully, she was okay, but it was a terrifying moment. Finally, the time came for me to push one last time, and there she was, in my arms. It was the moment I had longed for. Thankfully, my recovery was swift, and my baby girl was healthy.

Reflecting on this second pregnancy compared to my first, it was undoubtedly a better experience, though still challenging in every way. I am grateful for the progress I’ve made and the healing that has taken place. I am stronger than ever before. However, I must admit that I don’t intend to go through this again. Nevertheless, every single thing I endured was worth it for the health and lives of my children. I am grateful for where God has brought me, and I can confidently say that I am in a far better place now.