What Is Hyperemesis And Is It Dangerous For My Baby?

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a condition experienced during pregnancy. It involves severe nausea and vomiting as well as weight loss and nutrient deficiencies. Cases can vary from mild to severe. In milder cases the symptoms of Hyperemesis Gravidarum may be managed through careful monitoring, rest and dietary changes. A hospital stay may be necessary in more severe cases though. In fact, those suffering from severe hyperemesis gravidarum may find themselves in hospital quite a few times during their pregnancy. An IV drip may be required to ensure the mother is receiving enough fluids and nutrition. 

Sickness during pregnancy is extremely common. It is often the first noticeable symptom and is the reason many women decide to take a pregnancy test. Up to 80% of women will experience morning sickness in some form or another. In some cases, women occasionally vomit while in other cases women vomit every single day or not at all. It varies from woman to woman and even pregnancy to pregnancy. The same woman can experience no sickness in one pregnancy and bad sickness in subsequent pregnancies. Pregnancy sickness is thought to be the body’s way of responding to the pregnancy hormone. 

If you are experiencing Hyperemesis Gravidarum you are one of the 1% of women that experience excessive vomiting during pregnancy. It tends to hit somewhere between four and seven weeks and in some cases will ease off at about sixteen-twenty weeks. Unfortunately, in some cases, women experience this condition for the entire pregnancy. The exact reason why some women experience Hyperemesis Gravidarum and others do not is still unknown. Some women notice that their own mum or sister experienced the condition also. In other cases, women who are prone to travel sickness had a tendency to experience the condition. 

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is very unlikely to harm your baby once you seek medical treatment. Speaking to your GP is a good place to start. Many women worry about the lack of healthy food in their diet during this time but do not worry because simply getting through the day is difficult when you are experiencing HG. There may only be a small number of foods that you can tolerate during this time. The thought of cooking may be enough to trigger your sickness and many women cannot set foot in the kitchen during this time as the smell of food is unbearable. Taking small sips of fluid and eating whatever you can manage as often as possible is helpful. 

In some cases, if you cannot hold down any solid food or fluids you may be admitted to hospital and given an IV drip. This will ensure that both you and the baby have enough fluids. Without this help, you are likely to feel dizzy, weak and disorientated. The hospital may also prescribe an anti-sickness medication. 

The worst symptom for many women is the way HG affects their emotional well-being. Severe vomiting can lead you to feel extreme exhaustion, stress and even depression. You may have had an idea of how pregnancy would feel and this is not the picture you had painted. This can be difficult to accept. HG can also make it extremely difficult to care for your other children and yourself. Simple tasks like bathing and cooking can feel impossible so just getting through the day can be really tough. You may also notice that considerable strain has been put on your relationship due to the change in dynamics in the house while you struggle to function normally. 

If you are experiencing extreme pregnancy nausea you should speak to your GP and Midwife. It is also really important to ask your partner, friends and family for any help that will make this time more manageable for you. You are not alone.