It's normal for many mothers to experience morning sickness and nausea during pregnancy. But sometimes this condition can be a bit more severe. If you have severe vomiting that makes you unable to eat or drink, causes you to lose weight, and causes you to become dehydrated, we call it
Hyperemesis Gravidarum . This is a different and more severe condition than normal 'Morning Sickness'. So, let's talk about this in more detail, shall we?
What is the difference between 'Morning Sickness' and Hyperemesis Gravidarum?
Did you know that for many people, about 80% of pregnant women, morning sickness, sometimes
vomiting once or twice during pregnancy, is common. It does not cause
dehydration or weight loss. You can keep down food and drink for most of the day. In most cases, this subsides by about 12 weeks, which is the end of the first trimester. However,
hyperemesis gravidarum is a more severe condition. Imagine vomiting several times a day. This can cause weight loss and dehydration. These symptoms can last longer than morning sickness. Sometimes, if you are dehydrated, you may need to be hospitalized to receive
IV fluids. Therefore, it is important to understand the difference between the two.
What are the symptoms of Hyperemesis Gravidarum?
This condition usually begins in the first trimester of pregnancy, around 6 weeks. These symptoms can last for weeks, months, or even until the baby is born. This can make it difficult to do your normal activities. The most common symptoms are:
- Severe nausea .
- Vomiting more than three times a day.
- A loss of more than 5% of your pre-pregnancy weight.
- Inability to keep any food or drink down.
- Dehydration.
- Dizziness , feeling light-headed.
- Less urine output than normal.
- Feeling very tired .
- Maybe fainting.
- Headache.
In addition to these, there are also some less common symptoms:
- Low blood pressure .
- Rapid heart rate.
- Dry skin.
- Confusion.
- Yellowing of the skin (Jaundice) due to liver damage.
- Very rare conditions like Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
Why does Hyperemesis Gravidarum occur?
Doctors still don't know exactly what causes this. But it is thought that the increased hormone levels in the body during pregnancy are responsible. Specifically, a hormone called
HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is produced by your body when you become pregnant. This is produced very quickly and in large quantities. This HCG level peaks around 10 weeks into pregnancy. This is when many people experience the most severe symptoms. Also, another hormone that increases during pregnancy, called
estrogen, is thought to be involved in this nausea and vomiting.
Who is most at risk for this condition?
Some people are more likely to develop hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Risk factors include:
- If you have had HG in a previous pregnancy.
- If you are pregnant with twins, triplets, or more (multiple pregnancy).
- If this is your first pregnancy .
- If anyone in your family, such as your mother or sister, has had severe morning sickness or HG (biological family history).
- If you have a tendency to get motion sickness or migraine headaches while traveling.
- If you have a condition called Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD) , which is a disease in which cells in the uterus grow abnormally.
What complications can occur due to Hyperemesis Gravidarum?
In fact, the cause of many complications caused by this HG condition is the lack of nutrients and fluids that the body needs, that is,
malnutrition . When you keep vomiting, the body does not get the vitamins and nutrients it needs properly. This can lead to conditions like
preterm birth or
low birth weight . Also, excessive vomiting can cause your throat to bleed and cause other side effects. Therefore, it is very important to take care of this. Don't worry, if you get treatment quickly, these can be controlled to a large extent.
How do doctors diagnose Hyperemesis Gravidarum?
When you see a doctor, they will ask you about your symptoms and any previous medical conditions you have. They will then examine you. They will especially check your weight and see if you have lost a lot of weight. They may also do blood and urine tests to check for dehydration. They may also check if you are carrying one baby or more, or if you have any signs of GTD (Gestational Trophoblastic Disease), a condition that was previously mentioned.
An ultrasound may also be performed. Sometimes, a doctor will also check to see if the vomiting is caused by another gastrointestinal illness. What are the treatments for this?
Treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms, so it's important to discuss all of these treatment options with your prenatal care provider. Don't worry, there are often good treatments for this condition. If the symptoms are not so severe...
Sometimes things like this can help:- Lifestyle changes: Some people use acupressure bands to relieve nausea. Some people also find relief from things like chewing ginger pills or drinking ginger tea.
- Dietary changes: Eat small meals every two hours instead of eating large meals. Also, eat foods that are low in fat, bland, and easy to digest (e.g., crackers, bread, mashed potatoes, rice). Studies have shown that high-fat foods can increase nausea during pregnancy. So, your doctor may tell you to avoid high-fat, bland foods.
- Nausea medications: Some over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help reduce nausea. Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and doxylamine (e.g., Unisom®) are the most commonly used. If these don't help, your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl®) . But remember, don't take any medication for nausea or vomiting without talking to your doctor. It's safest to take a prescription medication.
- Avoiding things that make you feel nauseous: You may find that certain smells and things like riding in cars make you feel nauseous. Try to stay away from those things as much as possible.
If the symptoms are a little severe...
If you are vomiting excessively and are dehydrated, you may need to be hospitalized. Here are some treatments for milder cases of hyperemesis gravidarum:- Prescription medication: There are several types of medications that can help reduce nausea and vomiting. A doctor may initially prescribe a combination of doxylamine and vitamin B6. However, stronger medications may be needed. The most commonly prescribed medications for nausea and vomiting are promethazine and metoclopramide . OndansetronThis is another medicine that can help with nausea and vomiting. Some of these medications can be given intravenously (IV), as an injection, or as a rectal suppository if you are unable to take them by mouth.
- Intravenous fluids (IV fluids): A doctor will give you fluids and nutrients through an IV placed in a vein in your arm. This may require a hospital stay.
- Tube feeding: A doctor gives you nutrition through a flexible tube that is placed through your nose or stomach. You will often be admitted to the hospital for this treatment.
- Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN): In the most severe cases of hyperemesis gravidarum, you may need to be given nutrients through a vein (IV), bypassing your digestive system entirely. This allows your digestive system to heal without any work.
Remember, it's important to talk to your doctor about the risks of taking certain medications for HG during pregnancy. That way, you can get the safest treatment for both you and your baby.
Will this situation get better?
Yes, it can get better. Sometimes your symptoms may subside after the first trimester. Also, some people may have these symptoms throughout their pregnancy. But many people say that the severity of the symptoms gradually decreases over time. The good news is that this usually completely resolves after the baby is born. So think about it and make up your mind. Can Hyperemesis Gravidarum be prevented?
Unfortunately, this cannot be prevented. Knowing whether you are at risk for this condition is the best thing you can do to prepare yourself. If this happened to you in a previous pregnancy, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor and get advice before you get pregnant again. What effect can this have on the baby?
If your doctor is monitoring your pregnancy closely and you are taking the right treatment, HG usually doesn't affect your baby. However, very rarely, if you lose a lot of weight or become dehydrated, your baby may be born with a low birth weight. This is why it's important to get treatment as soon as possible. Are there any long-term effects of this?
Most people don't have any long-term effects from hyperemesis gravidarum after they have a baby. Although there is a higher risk of the condition recurring in a subsequent pregnancy, you should not experience any symptoms after the baby is born. Most mothers who are treated for HG go on to give birth to healthy babies. Is Hyperemesis Gravidarum a high-risk pregnancy condition?
Yes, in most cases your doctor will consider your pregnancy to be high-risk. This means that your doctor will monitor your pregnancy more closely to make sure there are no complications. You will need to go for regular check-ups and follow your doctor's instructions. What is the best thing I can do if I have Hyperemesis Gravidarum?
The best thing you can do is seek treatment from your doctor. Only your doctor can treat severe symptoms of HG, such as dehydration. Follow your doctor's advice on things you can do at home to help you feel better. For example:- Eat a small meal every few hours.
- Eat spicy, non-oily, and easily digestible foods. Avoid foods that are high in oil.
- Use acupressure bands, vitamin B6, and/or ginger to help with nausea (ask your doctor before using these).
- Stay away from things that increase nausea, like riding in cars.
- The most important thing is, don't struggle with this alone. Ask for help from your family and friends. It's also very important to stay mentally strong.
When should I definitely see a doctor?
Severe vomiting or inability to keep anything down is not uncommon during pregnancy. It may require medical attention. See your prenatal care provider right away if you have any of these symptoms:- If you have nausea that lasts all day and is so bad that you can't eat.
- If you vomit more than three times a day for several days.
- If you lose weight.
- If you feel dizzy, faint, or confused.
- If you are not urinating, or if your urine is very dark in color.
Finally, things you need to remember
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of morning sickness that occurs during pregnancy. It can cause vomiting several times a day. In severe cases, it can lead to dehydration and preterm birth. But don't worry, with proper treatment, most people can find relief from these symptoms and get the nutrition they need during pregnancy.
If you are experiencing extreme nausea during pregnancy, or vomiting several times a day, be sure to talk to your doctor. He or she can help you find relief and help you and your baby get the nutrition they need. Even though this is a difficult time, remember that you will get through this. Best of luck to you!
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