Thursday, August 7, 2008

I am Shannon. My family and I have recently moved to Wellington from Gore due to my Patrner Bruces' employment. I am currently 11 weeks pregnant and am suffering incredible morning sickness often in the morning and late afternoon. I find I am struggling to keep up with our 2 year old son Benjamin as he is a typically healthy, busy boy. I am also becoming quite constipated.

When I am feeling a little better, I enjoy going for walks along the beach and picnic lunches with Benjamin and Bruce, (when he's around).
I am looking forward to meeting my midwife to talk about my pregnancy symptoms.

13 comments:

Sarah Stewart said...

Hi Shannon, it must be quite a challenge making that move when you are feeling so grotty with being newly pregnant. Have you managed to find a midwife easily in Wellington - I heard there were midwife shortages there.

I heard that kiwi fruit helped with constipation but is it likely to make you feel more sick?

Hope you feel better soon, Sarah

kerryn said...

Hi Sarah,
Thanks for your response. Yes, it's been very difficult moving locations with a baby on board, a busy toddler and a stressed partner! There's not much time for "me".
It wasn't easy finding a midwife in Wellington, as they all seemed to be "booked up" and their caseloads quite stretched. The hospital maternity unit recommended one of their midwives, "Emma", who appears to be quite popular. Luckily she fitted me in even though she is fully booked during this time of year.
Yuck! I hate kiwi fruit! The acidity in those things makes my stomach hurl! Thanks for your suggestion though :-) I'm trying to drink more water, but it's hard to when you're feeling so nauseated. High fibre foods aren't exactly appealing at this stage, so I am really looking forward to to meeting up with Emma for some of her expert advice. I don't feel like exercising/going for walks, as I just want to blob on the couch. I'd like to meet some other pregnant/new mums too!

Cheers,
Shannon

Sarah Stewart said...

Well, good luck with your midwife visit.

I never quite know what high fibre foods are apart from bran. Is there high fibre in potatoes?

Anonymous said...

Oh dear Shannon! I suffered from Hyperemesis gravidarum with my first pregnancy. Blech.
I never did get constipated though... yes feel free to hurl that kiwi fruit at me... being a Canadian I'll appreciate it, as they are rather expensive at the moment.
*my attempt at laughter as a remedy. ahem.
Anyway, on an anecdotal front here. I drank water with lime or lemon in it. Litres and litres of water. It kept me somewhat hydrated and was also quite easy to 'let back up the tube' when I was super queasy.
Not sure if that helped with my not having the plumbing stop up on the other end or not... but might be worth a try? I can attest to the whole IV shunt for weeks on end for dehydration during pregnancy... it sucks.
Only other thing that I can think of is if there is anything that you 'know' makes you run for the loo. Might be worth the ickiness to get things moving along and just have to deal with the nausea.
I've heard lovely things about the Brewers diet.
http://nutrition.birthingnaturally.net/brewerslideshow/brewerdiet_files/frame.htm
Sorry, I don't know how to link on comments.
Anyway, just some ideas from someone who has been there, done that.

Valerie said...

Hi there, I’m Bruce, Shannons’ partner. I can’t believe that we are having another baby! Seems like just the other day that wee Benjamin was born. Hard to comprehend that he is a 2 year old! Where has the time gone?!
All seemed so easy last time. I’m feeling really guilty that I’ve moved Shannon away from our families in the South to the North. And, to make things worse, I’m away all week and she’s alone with no family support, looking after Benjamin. He is a great kid, but, 2 year olds are VERY busy!
I love Shannon to bits, but, at the best of times she’s temperamental, add pregnancy in the picture and she’s even worse! She is so tired and irritable all the time, not to mention the nausea she complains of every morning and night. I’m sure she’s loosing weight as well. Her spark has gone. I can’t wait to meet our new midwife, Emma. I’m going to try to make it to the first appointment at least. I’m sure there is some wonder drug fix to “cure” the tiredness and put back Shannons’ spark! I can’t believe her symptoms are normal!

Anonymous said...

"miracle drugs" are not always the answer Bruce.
I was on diclectin (sorry for the horrific spelling, I'm too lazy to look it up right now) for six weeks. In that time I lost another 14 lbs and was in hospital for an 'infusion of IV fluids' six times... I'm counting 24 hour periods. I had to go in twice a day, so really 12 times. Needless to say, it didn't work for me. I didn't even bother in my subsequent pregnancies to take it.
This sadly... can be normal. I sincerely hope it doesn't get much worse.
Perhaps there is a teen neighbour by who could take Benjamin to the park after school (wait... are you on winter vacation at the moment? Canadian here), so your wife could have some time to just rest, or retch... I know it is another cost... but for an hour or so of peace... I would have sold my soul!
=)

Sarah Stewart said...

Hi Bruce, I must admit I agree with hbacmama. The last miracle drug I remember for morning sickness was thalidomide and look at the devastation that caused.

kerryn said...

Hi All! Thanks for your great input! Feel like I'm making friends already!
Yeah, poor Bruce, he is struggling with the fact that there's a new bub on the way, he's happy, but I think he's quite stressed in more ways than one. I'm not a big fan of drugs as he's suggested to me....they're not always a quick fix I suppose..
I'll try the lemon lime in my water, maybe the taste will help.

I loooove potates! BUT they're too "heavy" for me to digest at the moment! One way is, I could try to steam or boil them and see what happens. I still enjoy soup, just a clear broth type soup, good for this wintry weather we're having!
Anway, Benjamin has woken up, so I'll talk L8ER!

Valerie said...

I hear what you are all saying, but I just feel so helpless. I’m away all week and when I am home Shannon is ether sleeping or treating me like I’m the devil! She seems to forget that this new baby was her idea! I was happy with one! There is no spare money in the budget for baby sitters – great idea though! We are stretched to the max with the move to Wellington. North Island is so much more expensive than the South. I’ve suggested ginger biscuits as a mate said his wife lived off ginger teddy biscuits when she had this morning sickness thing. But, anything I suggest is just laughed at – like it’s my fault and what would I know! I’ve read something about acupuncture, if I knew it could help I’d try to find the money somewhere! I’ve suggested Shannon goes to the local Plunket and Play Centre to meet some local mothers. I’m sure we are not the only ones in this situation. This sickness and tiredness thing can’t go on for ever, can it? When does the “swinging from the Chandelier” stage happen?
PS: No such luck with holidays! The new job means there is no leave due. I’m just hoping I can get some time off when the baby comes!

Sarah Stewart said...

Hey, Bruce, am feeling sorry for you guys at the moment. But this is a stage that hopefully will pass soon. In the meantime, try to make the most of the times when Sharon is feeling well to go and do things. Probably the best thing you can do for her is take your wee one off her hands so she can rest.

Valerie said...

Yeah, I have planned a visit to feed the ducks at the Botanical Gardens, if it's not raining!

kerryn said...

Hhhmmmm...well, I have had some sleep this weekend. Bruce kindly took Ben to the park as we had a bit of a break from the "crappy" weather we've been having. I do actually feel a little better after a good rest. We saw Emma, recently. She was very helpful and understanding, as much as she could be.....I suppose. I dunno, these midwives try to be supportive, but can they really empathise? I think most midwives feel that us mums to be are a pain in the behind! I know thats what Bruce thinks of me! Tubby and moody! I'm passing offensive wind (farting), as I'm still constipated, and Bruce gets annoyed with that. I wish we could just enjoy the fact that a new baby is coming! He worries about money all the time, and he's soooo frugel! Anyway....ho hum.

Oh, another thing...Bruce knew full well I was coming off the birth control pills! He said to me that he couldn't wait to be a dad again, and also thought I looked "cute" in my new lingerie! What a tease!

Sarah Stewart said...

LOL - you fell for the 'cute lingerie' routine!! Don't come to me for sympathy then!