An Excerpt from the book Beyond Morning Sickness: Battling Hyperemesis Gravidarum:
Effects of Hyperemesis Gravidarum
A hyperemetic mother can vomit between four and twenty (or more) times a day for months. If, starting at six weeks, a particular woman vomits an average of fifteen times a day she will have endured several hundred emetic episodes by twenty weeks. Imagine the discomfort of vomiting that much in such a short span of time! The vomiting can be so frequent that the stomach acid erodes tooth enamel. The emesis itself is often bile-filled and blood tinged (the blood usually comes from small tears in the esophagus, stomach or duodenum), and the cycle is self-perpetuating and relentless. In addition to the excessive vomiting, a severely hyperemetic mother suffers from weight loss, dehydration and metabolic disturbances.
Weight Loss
The nausea and vomiting of HG make it nearly impossible for the mother to eat or drink much, if anything. Obviously, if you don't eat you lose weight. Again, losing greater than 5% of your total body weight is one clinical indication supporting a diagnosis of severe HG.
Dehydration
Fluid, which makes up around two-thirds of a person's body weight, is vital, because every single process in our bodies occurs in a fluid medium. Surprisingly, dehydration can cause nausea and vomiting, and that's the last thing a hyperemetic wants more of. Some symptoms of dehydration are lowered blood pressure, headache, blurred vision and fever.
Electrolyte Imbalance
Electrolytes are chemical compounds that break down into such elements as potassium and salt in the body fluid, and they play a vital role in stabilizing body systems. Severe vomiting can cause electrolyte imbalance, which may manifest as a tingling sensation in the hands and feet, general weakness, decreased reflexes or reaction times and other symptoms.
Carbohydrate Depletion and Ketonuria
Carbohydrates include sugars, starches, and fibers. They are the body's main source of energy, and if carbohydrate levels are inadequate, a person's body begins to break down fat for energy and may take energy from muscle and even organs. This can disrupt the nervous system.
The central nervous system refers to the brain and spinal cord and conscious motor activities like walking and talking. The peripheral nervous system involves automated functioning such as the heartbeat and digestion. Your body needs energy to function. Carbohydrate depletion causes weariness with a capital "W", and it can make a three-step trip to the toilet feel like world travel.
Additionally, when the body must break down fat for energy, this creates substances called ketones, which can make the blood too acidic. If your urine is flooded with ketones it is a sign that you are in a period of starvation.
If you are living with the suffering of HG, don't let your physicians tell you that you're not sick but only having a baby. You are sick. HG is not a normal pregnancy experience. However, be encouraged; there is good news!
HG and Pregnancy Outcomes
With so much nausea and vomiting, adequate nutrition is obviously an issue. A good diet and vitamins during pregnancy have been so fanatically drilled into society that many of us incorrectly assume that a woman who eats negligible amounts and hyper-vomits for months is going to have a malformed, severely retarded baby if the little one even survives. Fortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. The body has a miraculous compensatory ability, and a severely hyperemetic woman with sufficient medical care has as much chance at a successful pregnancy outcome as anyone. In fact, some studies have shown that hyperemetic mothers have a reduced risk of miscarriage[12] and no increased rate of birth defects.[13-14] However, alternative nutrition is often considered in cases involving a total body weight loss of 10% or more, in order to prevent low birth weight and prematurity.[15]
[12] Gardner DK Hyperemesis gravidarum
Pharmacist (Aug 1997)p47-66
[13] Hallak, et al. Hyperemesis gravidarum: Effects on fetal outcomes
J Reprod Med (Nov 1996)v41n11p871-4
[14] Eliakim R, et al.
[15] van de Ven CJ Nasogastric enteral feeding in hyperemesis gravidarum
Lancet (Feb 1997)v349n9050p445(2)
If you would like to learn more about hyperemesis gravidarum, please buy the book.


Caffeine and Pregnancy
A huge controversy exists about caffeine and pregnancy with some conclusive findings suggesting that higher levels of caffeine intake can have negative effects on pregnant women and their babies. The real question up for debate is: What amount of caffeine is safe? While it is best not to ‘overworry’ about the chocolate bar you may have inhaled last night (yes…chocolate has caffeine), if you find the effects of caffeine on your pregnancy worrisome, perhaps you would be best suited avoiding caffeine altogether.
First, caffeine is a stimulant and a diuretic, so it increases blood pressure and heart rate (not recommended during pregnancy), and causes frequent urination that could lead to dehydration. While you are in control of the exact amount of caffeine that enters your body, your baby is not; caffeine crosses the placenta and acts on your baby just as it acts on you. Normally, the effects of caffeine on an adult wear off in six hours, but in pregnant women, it may take twice as long to leave the body. Also, because the baby is still developing he will not be able to metabolize the caffeine efficiently which could result in altered sleep patterns and movement in the later stages of pregnancy.
In effort to prepare for pregnancy, many women eat better and exercise before conception to ensure that their bodies are healthy and ready for implantation of a fertilized embryo. Some studies have actually found a link between high amounts of caffeine consumption and delayed conception, with women who consumed more than 300 mg of caffeine per day twice as likely to have conception delayed a full year or more compared with women who consumed less than 300 mg per day. While low to moderate consumption seems safe, heavy caffeine drinkers may want to start cutting back even when they begin trying for a baby. No studies have been done on the effects of caffeine on sperm.
The under-300 mg per day mark seems to be the safe consumption level even after conception as the fetus grows within the mother. A few studies have been done that show an increase in miscarriage among women who consume more than 300 mg of caffeine per day, and other study outcomes of high caffeine consumption included pre-term labor and low birth weight. Many studies done in animals have shown caffeine to cause birth defects, reduced fertility, and other reproductive problems, but human studies are still far behind. Although many women choose to avoid caffeine completely just in case it may have undiscovered effects in any amount, experts believe that moderate caffeine intake (150 mg-250 mg per day) will not have a negative effect on pregnancy.
For those women holding out until the late stages of pregnancy to enjoy caffeine again, the wait may be even longer than expected. Late in the pregnancy, the baby will absorb caffeine from the mother, and at this stage, the caffeine can cause increased fetal heart rate, increased breathing rate, and tremors. Also, babies born to women with high levels of caffeine consumption late in the pregnancy were likely to spend more time awake in the days following birth. Many tired parents of newborns want their babies to sleep well, so the avoidance of caffeine in late pregnancy is essential for the baby to establish good sleeping patterns, and essential for the parents’ peace of mind as well! Even breast-feeding mothers can pass caffeine into their baby’s system, so while low to moderate caffeine levels will not harm the baby, any amount of caffeine will be passed from mother to baby, metabolized by the baby’s system, and may have stimulating effects.
While most women and babies have no negative health effects from low to moderate caffeine consumption, caffeine sensitivity varies in each individual mom and baby. If you are normally caffeine sensitive, take care to avoid it during pregnancy, as the effects of caffeine are greater because it is more slowly metabolized in pregnant women. Avoid caffeine containing foods such as chocolate, coffee flavored ice creams and yogurts, and stick to fruity desserts like pies. Be sure to stay well hydrated with beverages such as decaffeinated tea, juice, and water.
If you are thinking of becoming pregnant, but consuming more than three cups of brewed coffee per day, try to start weaning yourself off of the coffee now, as your body will have a chance to adjust before all of the other changes start taking place. Once pregnant, take care to regulate caffeine intake at safe levels. Know what foods and beverages contain caffeine, and avoid them if you are concerned about the effects of caffeine on pregnancy. Myths do exist about caffeine and pregnancy, so remain calm if you do happen to slip and indulge in cappuccino ice cream; moderate levels of caffeine are safe for you and your baby.


Condo/Loft Lifestyle
With the popularity of condos and lofts skyrocketing in recent years, especially in Minneapolis; these home choices have become a major player in the local real estate market. Condos and lofts offer a distinctly different package than a typical home: first there is the convenience of location. Typically condo and loft complexes are located within the city limits and as such provide excellent access to the business core, and the other great amenities of a major metropolitan area.
Condos and lofts also are great living options for busy professionals or people who simply cannot afford the time to take care of a traditional home and yard. That being said there are some things that you should spare some time for in a condo. Becoming an active member in your complex's association is important as they make the decisions that affect your home and life. Condo living can be quite rewarding as they possess a close-knit community and an element of safety that is not present in a normal home.
The other main asset that condos offer is an abundance of desirable extras that are normally extremely expensive to attain in a home. Many complexes feature spas, fitness rooms, outdoor recreation facilities such as tennis courts and a number of other amenities. These things are remarkably expensive in a normal home and the upkeep is equally as daunting. Condos offer these things and the maintenance is seen to by professionals hired by the association. One of the most important aspects of the loft or condo is the fact that to purchase a basic condo is usually far cheaper then purchasing a basic house so it is an option that appeals to the wallet as well.
Minneapolis is the ideal place to find yourself a condo or loft as the real estate market here is thriving and lofts and condos are at the apex of popularity. New developments are cropping up across the city with many occupying old warehouses and factories creating a distinct loft style of living. Minneapolis is definitely a great place for a loft or condo.
Andy Asbury is a professional real estate agent who specializes in Minneapolis Lofts & Condos. The Asbury Group is dedicated to the highest level customer service and supplying an elite level of service in the Minneapolis real estate market. Contact us today for more info!