Hyperemesis Gravidarum Fundraiser

Today is International Hyperemess Awareness day. Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is a rare disorder that causes 24/7 nausea and persistent vomiting (for myself sometimes up to 40 times a day). It affects 2% of pregnant women globally. I never knew what HG was until I was diagnosed with it at 5 weeks pregnant. I have never experienced such a debilitating and horrendous illness in my life and cannot explain the physical, mental, emotional and psychological effects it has had on me. HG mostly affects women living in Sri Lanka, India, Africa and Pakistan where access to healthcare is limited and poverty is high. I am lucky to live in a 1st world country where I have access to medicine and caring doctors and nurses. Although I have never taken so much medicine in my life and have to be fed through a nasogastric tube...it has saved our baby's life and has saved my life. It has motivated both myself and my husband to be voices for all women out there suffering with HG and for all the partners/husbands who feel powerless not knowing how they can help. The HER Foundation empowers those managing HG with information and support to minimize suffering, long-term health complications, and pregnancy loss (1 in 3 HG pregnancies end in loss). That is why I am doing a fundraiser to raise $1000 to donate to the HER foundation to help women all around the world who suffer with HG.