The following procedures and equipment are typical during a hospital stay
These include her temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting her heartbeats), and respirations (counting her breaths). A stethoscope is used to listen to her heart and lungs. Her blood pressure is taken by wrapping a cuff around her arm.
A tube placed in her vein for giving medicine or fluids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to it.
Also called a heart monitor, an electrocardiograph (e-lec-tro-CAR-dee-o-graf), or EKG. The patches on her chest are hooked up to a screen or monitor. This screen shows a tracing of each heartbeat. Her heart will be watched for signs of injury or damage resulting from her illness.
Usually taken from the bend in her elbow. Tests will be done on her blood to see if her organs are functioning properly and if she needs additional electrolytes and nutrients.
She may get medicines by mouth or shot, in her IV, via a needle under the skin (subcutaneous or subQ) or in her rectum as a suppository.
If it is late in her pregnancy, she will have a loose-fitting belt strapped around her abdomen. The belt secures a patch which is attached to a machine with a TV-type screen. This screen shows a tracing of the baby's heartbeat.
The baby's heartbeat may be monitored all the time during the early part of her hospital stay. As she improves, a tracing may be taken several times a day.
She will be asked to urinate in a container. Hospital personnel will measure and test her urine to make sure she is getting enough liquids. Do not throw away her urine unless her nurses give the okay.
She may have scans of her liver, kidney, pancreas, and bowels to find reasons for the vomiting.
She will be weighed daily to see if there have been any changes.
Until her vomiting stops, she may not be given any meals. Instead, she will receive food and vitamins through her IV. She can slowly begin to drink and eat small amounts of food when her vomiting has stopped. It’s very important that she receive IV vitamins (multivitamin and B complex).
It is very important that she relax and avoid stress. Talking to her doctor or someone close to her may be helpful.
