Why Prenatal Vitamins Shouldn’t Sit in a Hot Car

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I had to switch from Nature Made Prenatals with DHA, which I loved but couldn’t swallow once I started puking my guts up, to VitaFusion Gummy Prenatals when my hyperemesis kicked into high gear several months ago, and I really love them. They taste like Sour Patch Kids but better, and I wish I could take more than two a day!

It’s time for my second bottle, so of course in my weakened state I sent Daddy in Training out to the drugstore to pick some up for me. And then he left them in the car, where they melted in the 100+-degree temperatures (see photo at right).

Him: “Well, I guess leaving them in the car wasn’t a good idea.”

Me: “Ya think?”

Him: “CVS will take them back, right?”

Me: “Um…”

I think I might order them from Amazon.com from now on. With the Subscribe & Save feature through Amazon Mom they’re only $9.17 per bottle plus free shipping. Not bad — especially since Daddy in Training can’t melt them…

RANT: Not Pooping for 3 Months is NOT Normal

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The one area where I am not satisfied with any of my doctors is my constipation. I have been constipated literally for my entire pregnancy. I didn’t poop ONE TIME until I was 6.5 weeks pregnant, and that was only with a Dulcolax laxative. Suppositories didn’t even work then, nor did stool softeners.

I am now 17 weeks and 1 day, and since 6.5 weeks I have pooped fewer than 10 times, almost all of which were prompted by another Dulcolax laxative, which includes excruciating pain and cramping that is so bad I actually cry and moan. It feels like childbirth. Nothing else works at all. I am eating whole bags of prunes, cups and cups of pear, huge bowls of black-eyed peas, collard greens, whole grain hot cereals, celery… That is, when I can get anything down. Continue reading →

Nausea Decreasing, Acid Reflux Getting WAY Worse

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I’m feeling a lot better the last week or so and have been able to eat normal foods in small portions (though I still can’t poop, which as I’m sure you can imagine is a real problem), but my reflux is KILLING me. I feel like I’m being stabbed in the esophagus.

I am taking Reglan at waking and bed plus 30 minutes before I eat, as directed by my high-risk specialist, plus supplementing with Tums, and it’s all basically worthless. And of course the burning makes me feel nauseated even though I’m not actually nauseated.

I’ve tried propping myself up to sleep, lying on my left side, lying on my right side, sleeping sitting up, drinking milk, drinking water, eating bland foods — all to no avail. I may add a few more pillows tonight, though I might not have enough room in the bed for ME if I do that.

I will bring it up to my nurse tomorrow when we talk in the morning. I was thinking about asking her if we should look at reducing my Zofran dosage to see how I do since I’ve been able to eat some, but if this acid continues I’m not sure that will be a great idea.

How to Relieve Constipation During Pregnancy

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Fresh and dried fruit are a great dietary addition to keep your bowels moving.

It’s no secret that I’ve been horribly, miserably constipated this whole pregnancy. I’ve blogged about it plenty, and I’ve brought it up at every. single. appointment. with every. single. doctor. Although I have not yet had a fecal impaction, I’m thinking this is where I’m headed.

Here’s what I’ve been doing (within the limitations of my hyperemesis) in the meantime to try to head that off, which I understand are solutions that work for everyone but me. I hope these help with any constipation issues you may be experiencing, fellow expectant mommas! Continue reading →