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How do I feel on the bad days of hyperemesis gravidarum? Helpless and hopeless. Having experienced a miscarriage and infertility, it’s already easy to believe that my body is broken and has betrayed me. Add severe, debilitating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and those ideas are only compounded.
But, those feelings aren’t completely wrong. God has used all of these experiences to further reveal to me that my humanity is finite and fallen. Sin has permanently marred my body and my experiences on this earth. I am not immune to suffering.
So, is there any hope to be found when you haven’t eaten a meal in days? What can provide peace when you are filled with worry for your unborn child due to your weight loss or the potential side effects of your prescriptions?
Mama, whether you are struggling with extreme morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum, or any other illness, you can still look to Jesus to sustain.
God Has a Plan For Your Hyperemesis Gravidarum
In the midst of suffering, I know this feels like a slap in the face. Yet, take a moment to consider Jesus’ prayer in the garden,
“‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.’” – Luke 22:42
He prayed for escape and deliverance in the face of unimaginable pain and suffering, yet He acknowledged the Father as sovereign and in control. His plan will be done.
God’s Plan Produces Good
I found myself searching desperately for relief. None of the natural morning sickness remedies worked. My first prescription for the hyperemesis gravidarum quit working after a month. Laying on the bathroom floor, I felt helpless. My toddler son watched hours of tv while I laid on the couch. Where is the good in this?
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
In my hopeless state, I see Jesus on the cross. What appeared to be the most hopeless situation, the One who claimed to be the Messiah dying as a frail human, turned into an incredible picture of God’s strength and power.
Your suffering may be a story of sanctification – God revealing your sins of pride or doubt. Your gracious response to suffering may be used as a Gospel witness to those around you.
No matter your story or suffering, God will use this time for His glory.
The Spirit Will Help You Pray
“Lord help me.” When I could barely stand, the idea of breaking out a prayer journal didn’t cross my mind. Instead, I sought the Lord through short prayers. “Help me, be with me, heal me, keep me safe, keep my baby safe.” When I don’t have the words, He is there.
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” – Romans 8:26
What an intercessor He is! If you’re struggling to understand His power over your hyperemesis gravidarum, His control of this pregnancy, or His purpose in this time of suffering, find rest in these words. Let your heart be calm in the fact that He hears you and knows every thought and emotion behind your voice.
In his book, Lessons from a Hospital Bed, John Piper says,
“Satan wants to make your experience in the hospital meaningless and empty and fearful and trivial. Don’t let him win this victory.”
Mama, don’t let fear and hopelessness characterize this pregnancy, no matter how severe your symptoms are. Let every moment be for the glory of God.
“…and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” – Psalm 50:15
What Do You Think?
Have you ever experienced hyperemesis gravidarum? What verses or words of encouragement would you share with mamas currently battling this?
Pin or share with a friend who is pregnant and trying to find hyperemesis gravidarum relief!
Wow! I’m so sorry you’re going through that. I’ve never suffered with this, but I can only imagine!
You brought up some great points here, and encouragement through the scriptures.
Praying for a healthy baby and healthy mama. This too shall pass..❤️
Wow, Allyson, I’m so sorry for all you are going through. What a beautiful testimony to our Heavenly Father’s ability to strengthen and encourage us in the midst of our pain. Thank you for this beautiful word! Praying you will get relief soon … for your health and for your little one’s! Blessings and hugs!
This is something new for me. That is the expression. I love learning new things.
Thank you so much for your encouragement and reality check. Going into my 3rd trimester with hyperemesis starting at week 5 I am finding myself discouraged and frustrated that things haven’t turned around by now despite positivity, natural remedies, medications, and all sorts of advice out there. Feeling helpless and uncontrolled, I found myself googling for encouragement and came across your little page here that broke me down to tears, overwhelmed with the hope it provides. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much as a Mama going through this right now I needed this reminder. I sit here in tears after a day spent getting fluids and IV medicines feeling like I’m completely failing .thank you for letting the Lord use you. ❤️❤️
Thank you so much for this. On my worst days I repeated a litany of “Lord Jesus, Help me!” Till I managed to fall asleep. Truly, hyperemesis gravidarum is a kind of deep, personal suffering.
After suffering a preterm loss at 23 weeks 10 months ago, I truly felt devastated when this pregnancy was taking a bad turn despite my endless prayers for a happy, healthy pregnancy this time around.
However, from my last ordeal, I knew My faith was being tested all over again, so I scoured for bible verses to keep me grounded in faith and keep anxiety away.
One of my favorite verses came from Psalm 27 v 13-14.
Every time I read that verse I was content with whatever affliction came my way because I knew that I had already seen so much of Gods goodness in my life.
Gods goodness will always be beyond our understanding.
I’m hoping and praying that this pregnancy ends in praise.
Thank you! Currently have HG at 24 weeks. 4 th pregnancy but 2nd time with HG. I have been suffering awfully. It took a greater toll on me spiritually and emotionally more than it did before. I’ve had to come to terms with suffering being a part of this journey and find great comfort in the scriptures that talk about him wiping away the tears from our eyes, suffering with him and reigning with him, also for the joy that is set before me in this baby enduring this condition for a while. The scriptures you included significantly helped and reading your story brought comfort and lots of tears. God bless you. Thanks for sharing. His hands are over these little ones and as difficult as it is to believe sometimes, His hands are over us too. I’ve noticed in the Bible that any mother who went through anything significant to conceive or during pregnancy gave birth to significant children. All are special, these are a notch up 😉
Thank you for posting this! I am almost 5 weeks pregnant with my first and I am trying so hard not to be terrified of HG. My mom had it with all of her pregnancies and she was in and out of the hospital when I was young with horrible pregnancies. I am so incredibly grateful to be pregnant and reading this reminded me of what a GIFT it truly is. I feel so humbled knowing that even for the past 3 weeks I have been the safe home for a blessed little soul. Thank you for the encouragement!
I was highly motivated by this post. Am having severe morning sicknesses am not eating. Last year I terminated a pregnancy without my husband knowing so this time I thought it was a punishment for my son. Am returning to God and praying for his mercies. Thank you ….
I’m so sorry to hear that you’re struggling with this. I’d love to encourage you to seek counseling for your abortion from your pastor.
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Thank you for sharing, I’ve read this multiple times for emotional support. I’m suffering with hyperemisis for the 3rd time. My husband and I prayed so hard for this pregnancy and still nothing can prepare you for the suffering with no relief for days at a time with HG. It brought me to a dark lonely helpless painful emotional state. I broke down hysterical the first night I read this and prayed for mercy as I cried and gagged myself to sleep. God heard me, the next day I was given some hours of relief. Luke 22:42 stuck with me throughout the next day. His will is greater than any suffering I endure. I trust in him. He will get me through as he did with my last 2 pregnancies while protecting my unborn child. I suffered infertility for years, and the deepest grief from our failed embryo transfer to be followed by severe pregnancy illness. God has proven to me he hears me, though his will I accept and honor and praise his glory. I’m so very blessed with his love and my husband and children. I pray for all mothers and fathers suffering, I pray for mercy in Jesus name, Amen.