Third Trimester Stomach Bug

Aww sweetie, I'm so sorry. Sorry for you having caught whooping cough that you shouldn't have been exposed to, and sorry for this additional bug.

Honestly, I really think you should go to the hospital. What is happening can trigger labor and that's the last thing you need right now. You need bloodwork done, you need IV fluids and you need REST!

As far as your husband is concerned, give him my post. I'm talking to HIM now:
My husband and I both worked while I was pregnant with both babies. With the first pregnancy, I spent 23 weeks throwing up, had ONE good week, and then went into preterm labor at 24 weeks. We were lucky that I got to go home from the hospital, on medication that made me shake, I had to set the alarm clock every 6 hours to take the medicine or I started contracting again, and had to lay on my left side 24 hours a day. I got to pee, brush my teeth while I peed, and every other day, sit in a chair in the shower and spritz off. I had goals - 28 weeks, 30 weeks, 32 weeks, 34 weeks, then 37 weeks. My baby and I were darn lucky to make it to 37 weeks.

My husband had to do EVERYTHING because I would have lost the baby if I hadn't followed doctor's orders. They wheeled me into the NICU before leaving the hospital to go on bedrest and showed me PREEMIES. They were so tiny. I would ask "Is my baby that big?" They'd solemnly shake their heads no. They told me that they wanted me to see what I was fighting for so that I'd go home and rest.

With my second pregnancy, we were taking NO chances. I came home from work and lay down. My husband took care of our toddler and did everything. We both wanted to give me every chance of getting through the pregnancy without bedrest. I only ended up in the hospital once.

Don't lose patience with your wife. Her body is doing the equivalent of walking up flights of stairs without stopping 24 hours a day. She actually has a parasite growing in her. It saps her of EVERYTHING, and takes, takes, takes. Add to her physical state of having had whooping cough and everything else. Everything could just turn on a dime for your wife. She needs to get well and she needs to rest.

Mama, listen to everything I've said here. It's really important. You do NOT want to give birth prematurely. Drink water - the uterus is a smooth muscle tissue that contracts when it becomes dehydrated. It also contracts when a full bladder pushes on it. So drink and pee, drink and pee. Do whatever you can to keep baby inside you for as long as you can. That's the best way to insure a healthy outcome for baby AND you.

Can you get a neighborhood teen to be a mother's helper for a few weeks while you recover? You really do need to be in bed as much as you can. You need rest to recover from these two viruses in a row. If you can get a teen to come and just play with your other 3 for a few hours every day, it can give you and your DH a much needed break.

Sometimes we all need help in life - don't be ashamed to ask for it.

Sounds like Hubby needs to hire a nanny for awhile to handle the other kids until you are well recovered from birth and postpartum period (8 or so weeks) with this current pregnancy.
(So,18 weeks total.).

Sounds awful. These coughing and stomach issues are no fun at any time, but certainly not when one is so very pregnant. You are clearly exhausted from raising/caring for little kids, and you are run down - that's why you're catching everything.

The only thing that really upsets me in your post is that your husband is losing patience with you, and you think it's okay ("I can't blame him.") You say he "tries to be empathetic" but immediately say "he's sick" of you being sick. WHAT? Why is ANY of this about him??? Your husband needs to take a week off from work, you need to go to bed and get a good solid rest, and he needs to do EVERYTHING for you and the kids! This is not going to get better until he does so. If he wants to organize some really helpful CLOSE relatives or CLOSE friends to help, fine - but they have to be able to do everything and comfort every child without asking you for input (how to handle this kid, where to find that kid's sneakers, where the pots & pans are, etc.). Frankly, I think you should go to your mother's house or your college roommate's house or anywhere where the kids aren't and a quiet caregiving person is! Even a hotel - take some good books and get room service! Really!

You are not dying. You are sick. You are going to keep getting sick until you get a good solid rest, and that doesn't mean a decent nap or a day off. It means a week. You must get your strength back before the baby comes. And your anxiety has an effect on your immune system too - so you need extra care to get through this and to get well once and for all.

You poor thing!!! I have 2, three years apart. That was hard enough. I can't imagine dealing with an illness, late in pregnancy when you are already tired from MAKING A PERSON, plus three kiddos and your fourth "baby" husband. Hang in there!! The last few months feel like an eternity, but it will end!! Not sure if you think this one will be your last, but try to take a little time to consciously enjoy being pregnant while you can. I got this advice, it sounded crazy, but I am actually glad I did it! Just take 5 minutes, close your eyes, focus on your baby and the experience of carrying a baby in your body. It is easy to forget how awesome that is, especially with everything else you have going on. I found that the exercise really grounded me, helped me get through those last weeks, and created some positive memories of being pregnant.
Best of luck!!

Hubby has two choices... either take care of his family while you are sick ... or ... hire help to take of the family while you are sick.
Get to your doctor for a check up ask if there is anything he/she can give you to relieve your symptoms.

I had the same thing (stomach bug) when I was 28 weeks pregnant few years ago and after couple of days of agony and not being able to keep any liquid down, I went to the doctor and they gave me zofran that worked wonders. I had lost 5 lbs during those few days I fought the stomach bug and this made me go to the doctor, which proved to be a great idea. If you keep feeling sick, you may wanna go to the doctor, this is my advice!

You are not dying. However, your husband needs to be a lot more empathetic. You have diarrhea and vomiting, and you are carrying his child, and he's losing his patience with you? Husband: suck it up and deal. And be kind and nurturing to your wife.

People get sick. Your husband is going to have to learn how to not be a jerk about it, and step up when needed. It sounds like you had two viruses in a row, but you will probably start feeling better in a week or two max. It won't likely remain for 10 weeks.

Meantime, you may want to step up the hand washing (although be careful not to become OCD about it, if you tend toward anxiety). Hand washing is the best prevention for illness.

you poor baby. 3 little ones AND growing a new one and being that sick.
i get that's stressful for your husband but i'm sorry, he needs to suck it up. this is a time of all times for him to stand and deliver. it's not your fault you're sick, the kids still need to be taken care of, the one in the oven still needs to be cared for (by you taking care of yourself) and YOU need some downtime and tenderness, not impatience and guilt.
what does he expect you to do?
it's on him. time for him to be the family hero, and time for you to NOT take this on. getting out of bed before you actually can will be bad for you and for the new baby. surely he doesn't want that.
sweetie, if nothing else, get to a hospital and spend however long you need to (and they will allow you) there. you need to rest and stay quiet and get better, and if your husband won't help you do that at home, go where it will be mandated.
i'll bet he copes just fine.
i hope you feel better very soon.
khairete
S.