The herb I'm taking & haven't had to take in almost 2 weeks!!!! is mj. I bought some from a friend after doing tons of research on it. It's actually kinda funny cause I'm 29 & never did anything besides get drunk about 5 times in my life & at 29 I use it. I give myself a giggle over that one.
But, seriously...I too started losing weight, started feeling that pull to the 'dark side'...I started to recognize the terraine of Hyperemic ville & I knew I couldn't go that way. The doctor I spoke with said a cigarette a day was his recommendation (he also said he'd deny it if ever asked/approached), but I would just put a pinch & take two puffs. I tried eating it because I was worried about lung damage but it took it 1.5 hours to take effect & I think it's more potent that way because I was a bit loopy. My husband said he could notice a definite change in my non existant happy level to smiles & a few giggles. So, just a puff is good. I also spoke with our family doctor who is very much aware of my anti-drug (includes prescription & over the counter) beliefs & shared TONS of studies done to reassure me on visiting my brothers home who uses it for recreation. Apparently...it's pretty safe, doesnt' cause the lung problems that are threatened with though it does have a high case of throat issues like soreness-really, really sore (forget the name) for high usage. He also reassured me about the baby. His words were standing where you're getting some car exhaust or pumping gas causes more damage than the brief amount you may breathe in at your brothers home. It'd be like getting a puff or two & that won't cause damage.
Now, while I do disagree that it won't cause damage...there comes a time where it's the benefits over the risks. Hyperemisis is definitly such a time. Having a bad day...or even just vomiting 1 or 2 times?...not worth it.
Considering they know these drugs they give us cause problems, birth defects, etc...I say...a puff or two. I don't think a whole cig is necessary especially if you 'catch' it in time. I started to notice if I would stop tryng to be 'brave' or wait it out I could take a puff & while I'd be nauseous & miserable...I wouldn't throw up. It'd also let me eat something & keep it down for an hour or so. My midwives told me that an hour means I'm getting some nutrition. I don't know if they're aware that my tea is mj, but I don't want to get them in trouble & I've done plenty of research on it....& it's my decision to make.
Some of the 'risk' factors is that there is an increased chance of having a hyperactive child. Another research group debunks that opinion & they say it's not hyperactive it's the fact that mj encourages the development of thinking in a different way since more synapsis are builit in the brain...so contray to belief & my in laws intelligence levels...it doesn't kill brain cells!
There is a definite abuse factor...everything in moderation. I do have links if anyone is interested & there are even a few stories on Mothering about usage. In my teens I would NEVER have thought of using MJ...but...when times change, you start thinking for yourself, doing your own research...your opinions can change depending on everything.
While I have 'normal' nausea now...at 16 weeks...when does it go away & I do have a bad time of day (but it's getting better) I feel like right now...I'm eating, I haven't checked my weight...I need to do that...& I'm feeling better I don't think I need it & while I have access if I do have a bad day/start to slide back down I know where to get it.
That's the other thing too...do your best to get organic. Even something grown with miracle gro is better than from someone you don't know. People told me you pay extra for anything that's laced/has something added...but I'm not too trusting of someone I don't know. Also, if it doesn't smell like you've hit a skunk...pass on it. It's not good & will only mean that you'll have to puff a bunch to get nausea relief & I think that's just raising your chances of something going wrong...& you don't want it to look all dried out/brown. It should look bright green, keep it in a glass jar/air tight container & in a dark place. I actually bought some books over it from our local book store....now that was a picture! They knew I was a doula & homeschooler & just looked at me. I bet they were wondering where they could sign up for that class!
I learned about the not to dos based on getting some horrible stuff & my friend who grew up with it in the home educating me on what to look for & how to puff. I'd only tried a cigarette in 6th grade which knocked me out...yep...I'm allergic! so...I was your very good girl who went to church, didn't rebel & was the joke of family(brother) & friends at me puffing.
I've come to the mind that it's an herb also...it like anything else can be abused but when used for its rightful use...it's a benefit to us.
My only complaint is I felt very alone when I had to use it. My husband has never used it either & he'd leave me while I did it. That (along with growing up propaganda) gave me conflicted feelings at time. But, then again...being on bedrest, having a nurse sticking a needle in my hip, butt or thigh, having to field questions for the rare times when I went somewhere of what was the black box hanging off my waist made me feel very alone when others were around me. At least with my herb I can sit in the living room with the kids, play a game, sit outside in the sunshine & eat a meal. We've even ate out...It's normally thrown up an hour or so later, but...hey...in the words of my midwives I absorbed some nutrients.
If you have any more questions you're welcome to call me if you're too worried about asking them here or email me. Oh...and it's totally frowned upon here too. The way I see it...with it...I'm not hyperemic or worrying I'm losing my baby like I did with my daughter or signing rights away that I won't sue some company...or my husband signing rights away that he won't sue if I or my duaghter die. When you're stuck between a rock & a hard place & someone says...this has a tiny possibility of keeping you pregnant so she can be born...you take it...then when doctors & research shows way better results...you take it.
Oh...they've started taking the main thing out of mj that prevents nausea & developed it into a pill for chemo patients. They're aware it works, but insurance won't cover it for hyperemic pregnant women. I checked into it BIG time. It's sad you have to be forced to go against 'the grain' because they won't give you the approved version.
Honey
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Bleh.
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