More HG Videos...

Hi everyone :P
I have added some new links to HG Articles... and have found some videos on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/pilkinton39

A New Zealand woman tells of her experiences with HG

More info on the current study at USC

Come on ladies... I did it! I know you have some spit to share...

Something New...

As promissed, if I found some new research I would post it! This research has some interesting findings...

Extreme nausea and vomiting varies among pregnant women from different countries
April 28, 2008 - Norwegian Institute of Public Health

Mothers born in India and Sri Lanka are three times more likely to suffer from extreme nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (hyperemesis gravidarum) than ethnic Norwegians.

This finding comes from Norwegian Institute of Public Health's study of 900, 000 first-time pregnancies registered in the Medical Birth Registry of Norway over a forty year period. Earlier studies reported that 90 percent of pregnant women experience some degree of nausea and vomiting, whereas 0.5 to 2 percent have hyperemesis gravidarum.

Due to dehydration, loss of important electrolytes, malnutrition and weight loss,
hyperemesis gravidarum could be life-threatening for mother and baby if left
untreated.

In the USA it is the commonest cause for hospitalisation during early pregnancy. The cause of hyperemesis gravidarum is unknown.

Vikanes, specialist in gynaecology and obstetrics at the institute's Division of Epidemiology, wanted to explore whether the mothers' country of birth affected the prevalence of hyperemesis gravidarum.

Vikanes is primary author of the paper

Large study on hyperemesis gravidarum, Vikanes and her colleagues collected data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway, which since 1967 has recorded data on all pregnancies and pregnancy complications.

8,300 cases of hyperemesis gravidarum were recorded out of 900,000 pregnancies, giving an overall prevalence of 0.89 percent. Data on the mother's country of birth and education were recorded by Statistics Norway and linked to pregnancyinformation through the mother's unique personal identification number.

Socio-demographic factors such as marital status, country of birth, education, age and number of foetuses in each pregnancy were also studied.

"This is one of the largest studies carried out on hyperemesis gravidarum. In contrast to earlier studies we tested the quality of the data and therefore have confidence in our findings" says Vikanes.

Mothers born in India and Sri Lanka had the highest prevalence of hyperemesis gravidarum, followed by those born in Africa (excluding North Africa) and Pakistan by 3.2 percent, 3.1 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively.

Ethnic Norwegians, North Americans and Western Europeans had the lowest prevalence by 0.9 percent, 0.9 percent and 0.8 percent, respectively.

Maternal age between 20-24 years old, being married, carrying a female foetus or more than one foetus were all socio-demographic characteristics associated with a higher prevalence of hyperemesis gravidarum.

Need to study further "The difference in prevalence of hyperemesis gravidarum related to the mother's country of birth cannot be explained by differences in socio-demographic characteristics", says Vikanes. "We have to look for other explanations such as genetic factors, a change of diet or a history of infections. This topic needs further research to identify ways to prevent this life-threatening and distressing condition."

Reference: Vikanes A, Grjibovski AM, Vangen S and Magnus P. (2008) Variations in prevalence of hyperemesis gravidarum by country of birth: A study of 900, 074 pregnancies in Norway 1967-2005. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health 36: 135-142.

One Year Ago...

It's so hard to believe that one year ago today, April 17, I had a baby... it still trips me out when I think about it or look at his smiling face LOL

I look at him and I think about what I went through with HG. I was so miserable for so long with so many complications that it just makes me appreciate him more, so much more in fact that I am no longer going to spend time blogging here.

I want to cherish every moment I can and I want to spend as much time with him watching him grow and laugh and play and well, you know... he's growing up so fast.

If I find any new research or news I will certainly post it here, but I think I just want to be a Mommy.

I hope that the information I have posted in my other posts will help you or someone you know. I hope you will find hope in this blog. That it will help you keep the faith, know that HG is a very serious disease but that with proper treatment you can endure.

Always,
Raynie & Zane

Wow, Time sure flies...

It's hard to believe that my son,

the inspiration for my book and blog,

is going to be 1 year old already!

We are planning a great Luau for his special day...

My family is Hawaiian and it is custom to celebrate baby's first birthday with a luau, which is a traditional Hawaiian feast.

"The luau is the perfect expression of Hawaiian hospitality and signifies a celebration of what the Hawaiian spirit and lifestyle are all about. Historically, the luau was a celebration to the Hawaiian gods giving thanks for having survived long and often arduous ocean voyages."

If you've ever been to the islands, you probably have tried some local grinds... and that's what we have planned for our menu! Lots of food, lots of family and friends, music, and all the things a birthday party brings!

Children grow up so fast, I am cherishing every moment... and I can't wait to celebrate such a wonderful milestone... Zane's First Birthday!

Counting My Blessings...

One of my childhood friends lost his mother last week, she was 75. We grew up together... a group of us kids always hung out and I remember when the sun set everyone's parents had their own whistle to call us home LOL He lived up the street and I lived at the bottom.

Anyhoo, when we hugged, I cried... not because I was sad, but because I knew exactly how it feels to lose a parent. I was thinking how bad it hurt... the thought that you will never hear their voice, feel thier touch, never see them again... and it hurts, and I hurt for my friend.

The memorial service was at St. Francis of Assissi in our hometown. It was a beautiful service. I did not follow the procession to her final resting place as my personal feelings are that is a very private thing.

I prayed for my friend and his family and his Mom. I spent the rest of the day counting my blessings. I think my friend is lucky... he had his Mom in his life for 36 years. That's 12 years more than I got to have my Dad... I wish I had been that lucky.

You never know what life will bring. So today I said my prayers and was thankful for the gifts in my life... My family, My friends... and the Love of my Child who is the greatest gift!

Trying to understand God's purpose...

Hi all...
I haven't blogged or done any podcasts in a while, and well honestly... it is because

I AM IN A FUNK.

You may have had a similar experience, or are yourself in a funk as we speak.
Let me tell you why.

In the not so far off past I worked my way to a certain position in a certain industry and admittingly it was hard work, but in a fun industry. I was a pit boss at a Casino. I had worked my way up with Harrah's, furthered my education on my own dime, and had been working for the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino (formerly the Reno Hilton) before I was diagnosed with HG.
It was a good career and when I learned I was pregnant I was relieved that I had this great career that I could provide a good life for my child. It is the same for every single Mom out there... you want to provide a good life for your child, and have a great career... the best of both worlds.

When I was diagnosed with HG, my world was turned upside down! The disease forced my resignation from a job I loved. I had no medical insurance, no income, and a baby on the way. I also had bills to pay... 3 credit cards and a gas card which I only accepted because I wanted their free gas! (LOL) My credit was decent.

Fast forward to mid pregnancy, hospitalized for the 3rd time, my dear friend, Scott, back in Reno tells me the bills are stacking up (which when you are fighting for your unborn child's life and your own... is the least of your worries!) He told me when I feel up to it to try to write a letter explaining the situation and maybe they can work with me, he'd make copies and send them all out and see what happens.

I did and in hind sight I am thinking maybe I should have paid the extra whatever for the insurance all credit cards offer... the (to quote Chris Rock) "In case shit" insurance (LOL). I have never been hospitalized in my life, never had anything worse than the common cold or flu... so why on earth would I subscribe to an insurance that I will never use, that is just a scam to get more money out of most people?

BECAUSE!!! In case shit happens like me getting some RARE pregnancy disease!!! Whoda thunk???

Whatever! I was so over it as they charged me off as a "Bad Debt"... Yes, I am now in financial ruin. BUT! The story doesn't end there.

I knew when I got better and was able to at some point return to work, I would like a phoenix rise from the ashes and rebuild my life. I could go back to my career and clean up my finances and everything would be wonderful!

WRONG

Fast forward to the past few weeks...
I applied for and was offered a great position with one of the biggest casinos in So Cal! I was sooo happy! However, a few days later... bad news... they cannot approve my gaming license (nor will any casino in So Cal)!!! Why???? Charge offs and unpaid Medical bills. They said if I paid it off I was welcome to re-apply... ok, great... how do I do that without a job? and... the position I applied for is now going to "the second best candidate" because obviously I was the best candidate or they would not have made the offer!!!

So with that feeling of elation, my bubble was burst and I am now in a FUNK...trying to figure out God's purpose! As you can see it is disturbing my sleep, keeping me up at night... my son is finally sleeping through the night, and I am up at 3:28 am worrying about...
what the @%&! (expletive) I am going to do now!

I am angry. I was robbed. I was robbed of my health, robbed of the enjoyment of pregnancy, robbed of a family, robbed of future children, and now my career.

Ahhhh...the eternal optimist in me speaks...
There must be a REASON. I dont know what it is yet, but there must be.
I know with every fiber of my being that my child is the greatest gift in my life. He is the reason I smile every day. He was meant to be and my intuition tells me that the universe conspired to make sure he came to be...and here he is.

Maybe I was on the wrong path and this is how my path is changed, so I find the right one.
I remember a quote : "God's delays are not God's denials"
I tend to be quite impatient so... perhaps it is time to learn PATIENCE... it is a virtue after all (LOL)

My son is growing up so fast and he gets frustrated sometimes when he is doing stuff...and I always tell him "patience my son, patience is a virtue", I guess it is true... when you teach you also learn!

If you are going through something similar... here is what gets me through...
think back to your darkest hour... Mine was sitting in the emergency room all alone (they wouldnt let my Mom back with me at the time) and after suffering from HG for months... having the doctor tell me at that moment my life could be in danger from a pulmonary embolism, that I could die, and I needed to choose right then and there... my life or my child's? No parent should ever have to face that. I took a chance, must have been the "gambler" in me... but sometimes faith is strong medicine. That was my darkest hour, and here WE are... my son and I.

I guess what I am trying to say is... "Keep the faith" (haha...a Padres plug!) Something i am trying hard to do right now.

Thanks for letting me vent, I'll get over this funk and back to my task soon!