FAQs

 

 

"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you."

Isaiah 4:32

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What is hyperemesis gravidarum (HG)?

Affecting about 1% of pregnancies, HG is debilitating, persistent nausea and/or vomiting during pregnancy, causing severe side effects and often hospitalization. HG can interfere with the mom’s ability to work and care for herself or others. HG is associated with higher rates of isolation, depression and pregnancy terminations due to a lack of understanding, support, or resources.

How do I know if I have HG? If I had HG, would I have been diagnosed with it?
Not necessarily. I was never diagnosed with my first pregnancy. Not every health care professional is familiar with HG. It can often be written off as run-of-the-mill morning sickness. I also like to think of HG on a spectrum. It is not black and white. Many sites say if you aren’t throwing up x amount of times each day then it isn’t HG. Some say if you don’t lose weight, you can’t have HG. To make sure someone receives the support she needs, if you are pregnant and the sickness associated with your pregnancy is noticeably impacting your daily life and ability to function, please reach out to us!
Who do you help?
We help anyone who is struggling with illness in a current pregnancy, someone who is hoping to get pregnant but fears HG or someone struggling after an HG pregnancy. We help caretakers of women with HG as well as anyone else in the community that wants to grow their support network to help HG sufferers. If in doubt about the aid we can provide you, please reach out!
What services do you provide?

1. We believe it is vital to provide avenues for relationship and community. Many women with HG feel alone. We do this through social media platforms that currently include our Facebook and Instagram pages. We strive to create informational, uplifting and funny content. We also have private Facebook groups for HG mamas and HG caretakers. These groups allow for questions and advice from other people who understand your struggle. 

2. For women with more complex HG needs, we provide comprehensive and individualized case management. This is a free service. Case management may  include but is not limited to finding you a doctor who better understands HG, researching home health agencies, connecting you to resources who may be able to help with things like childcare, financial assistance and counseling. 
3. We hope to reach out into communities and support and educate local agencies, organizations, churches and doctors offices. The more our communities are better set up for HG support, the more support there is for HG mamas!
How do I get help from Hugs Over Ginger?
If you are a mom in need of help, the best way to contact us is to fill out this form: https://hugsoverginger.org/gethelp/
If you are a family, friend or caretaker in need of help, the best way to contact us is to fil out this form: https://hugsoverginger.org/friendorfamily/
You can also call/text us at 1-866-484-7568 or email us at info@hugsoverginger.org
What are your core ethics and values?

    Here are our core ethics and values.

    Charity: We have a moral obligation to treat others well by offering love, mercy, and kindness to benefit them. This is an active contribution toward the welfare and dignity of our clients. We are dedicated to seeing the client as a whole person.

    Nonmaleficence: We will respond with the care that does no harm, even if the client requests a remedy that is harmful. We do not promote or refer for abortions.

    Efficiency: We want to provide help and support that cannot be found elsewhere. We will seek to connect each client with resources in her community who can provide the services that she needs and treat her with dignity.

    Justice: We believe that each individual human being should be treated with dignity and without discrimination.

    Honesty: We will not withhold the truth from those we help. We inform. They decide. We can persuade them, but not coerce them. If we are honest with each other, then we can trust each other.

    Integrity: Each team member is dedicated to virtuous personal character, to understanding and practicing wisdom, empathy, temperance, courage, and justice both privately and professionally.

    Stewardship: We are owners of nothing and stewards of everything. We commit to responsible planning and management of resources. These resources include the gifts and talents we have and the opportunities that we are given. We don’t manufacture anything; we distribute what Christ has produced in us. Stewardship shapes our motives and influences our decisions. Work is what we do, but stewardship is how we do it.

    Fortitude: We overcome obstacles and don’t accept defeat.

    Encouragement: We seek to put courage into our clients. 

    Humility: We commit to consistently pursuing how we can serve better, following the example of Jesus Christ. We commit to placing service above self-interest.

    No-Condemnation: If a client makes a choice that we do not personally agree or support as an organization, we do not condemn.

    What areas do you serve?
    We hope to provide a sense of community for anyone with access to the internet. However, as far as tangible needs and referrals, our support is currently geared to serving women in the United States. We hope to expand as we grow as an organization!
    I know someone who needs help. Can you reach out to them?
    We would love to help but we will need your friend, family member or coworker to contact us. We do not solicite clients.
    What does the name "Hugs Over Ginger" mean?
    One thing I learned when I was pregnant is the second you tell anyone you are sick, everyone has a remedy or 2…or 10. Before knowing I had HG, I tried them all and they didn’t work. Finally I just stopped telling people. I told my husband to stop telling people because I was exhausted and discouraged. I realized the best thing someone could do since they couldn’t really offer me crackers or candy to take it all away was to just be there. Love me and feel for me. Show me compassion. That is what “Hugs Over Ginger” means, offer love (hugs) rather than a remedy (ginger). It’s a breath of fresh air when you are sick with HG.
    Are you a Christian organization?
    This ministry is for anyone and everyone who needs help. The goal of this organization is to serve others and the motivation behind that is to do so to glorify Jesus and answer the call that we believe He has put on our hearts. Women with HG often feel overlooked, but I can tell you, God sees you!
    Does Hugs Over Ginger refer for abortion services due to HG (i.e therapeutic termination?)
    We acknowledge the God-given purpose and value of every soul from the moment of conception until natural death. We do not promote or refer for termination services. With that said, we understand these are real issues, especially in the HG world. Feelings of desiring to end your pregnancy are welcome here. We don’t pretend they don’t exist, in fact we WANT you to come here with them. There is no condemnation or judgement. Our goal is to empower you and make sure you are receiving adequate care. Poor support and medical care is a huge contributing factor to women struggling with HG who do not want to terminate but are told they have to.
    HG can also cause financial issues that can make a mother feel abortion is the only answer. We have resources that we can connect women with in these instances too.
    If you have already had an abortion due to HG, we would also love to help you. We don’t want you to be alone and want to make sure you receive the support and healing you need.
    Places to learn more about HG:
    • Online resource: Many mainstream medical sites do not have the most accurate informationon HG. The most reliable information I have found is on the Her Foundation – www.hyperemesis.org,
    • Documentary: Sick – The Battle Against HG
    • Children’s book (this is great for children whose mom or loved one is sick with HG): Mama has Hyeremesis Gravidarum (But only for a While) by Ashli McCall
    • Book: Beyond Morning Sickness: Battling Hyperemesis Gravidarum by Ashli McCall