Your friend's story just breaks my heart. I have had hyperemesis all of my pregnancies and I know it is not easy. With my first pregnancy I almost ended up in the ICU because I was so dehydrated my blood pressure was low and the electrolyte imbalances were making my heartbeat irregular. I was in the hospital for over a week and off work pretty much my whole first and second trimesters before the symptoms eased. With Sage I was able to get IV fluids at home. I would go to work and then get IV fluids all night. This pregnancy has been a bit better but I had to start the Zofran this weekend or risk ending up in the hospital again. I know it's not easy, but I would hate to see your friend terminate this pregnancy. After losing a child (my secondborn died of a fatal heart defect at 3 days of age) I know the guilt a mother feels even when nothing I did led to my son being born sick. I can't imagine the guilt that would come with choosing to end your baby's life. I know each person has to make their own decision, but this is not something she can change her mind on later. I know the sleep deprivation and feeling horrible are probably not allowing her to think clearly. I just kept telling myself that no matter how sick I got, that it wouldn't last forever and nine months is a short time to suffer in comparison with a lifetime of joy with your child. Even though I didn't get the lifetime of joy with Sage, I wouldn't change a thing. Yes, my pregnancy was miserable. Yes, it was horrible to lose him, but at least I got to hold him in my arms and kiss his sweet face. I wouldn't give that up for the world.

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Andi

Thanks so much for your input Andi. You an I are on the same page. Unfortunately, it's a done deal. So heart breaking.

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Where did I come from?" the baby asked its mother. She answered, half-crying, half-laughing, and clasping the baby to her breast: "You were hidden in my heart as its desire, my darling. You were in the dolls of all my childhood games. In all my hopes and my loves, in my life, in the life of my mother, and in her mother before her, you have lived."
--Rabindranath Tagore