Hyperemesis Gravidarum & Severe Morning Sickness

Learn about Hyperemesis Gravidarum and severe morning sickness. This page will give you information on signs, symptoms, and treatment.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Hyperemesis gravidarum is when morning sickness become so severe that it requires medical attention and sometimes hospitalization. It is estimated that up to 2% of pregnant women will be diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum.

Even though it is considered rare, nausea and vomiting is considered normal for most pregnancies making it difficult for a non-medical professional to tell the difference between hyperemesis gravidarum and normal morning sickness. However, the following are symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum:

• Severe nausea accompanied with severe vomiting
• Inability to eat or drink without vomiting (forcing the person to skip meals or stop eating for large periods)
• If you begin to gradually lose weight (more than 5% of your pre-pregnancy weight) from vomiting and from your inability to eat
• Severe dehydration from vomiting and/or inability to keep fluids down

Treatments

Hyperemesis gravidarum will require medical attention. Some cases can be dealt with anti-nausea medications prescribed by your doctor; however, if you are severely dehydrated you may need to be admitted to a hospital to be treated with intravenous fluids (IV).

It is not recommended to use alternative treatments if you suspect you have hyperemesis gravidarum. This is because most women with HG are severely dehydrated and need to be rehydrated as quickly as possible and modern medicine is currently the best solution.

What Causes Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Since both morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum are caused by a combination of factors, the exact cause can vary from person to person. However, it is believed that it can be related to genetics, physical health, and your body chemistry.

Another theory is that higher than normal levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) can increase the chances of experiencing hyperemesis gravidarum. This is because most cases of HG occur during the first trimester which is also the same time period when hCG levels are the highest.

Does Hyperemesis Gravidarum Negatively Affect the Fetus?

Fortunately the fetus is normally not affected when the mother has HG. In some cases the fetus will receive a lower amount of electrolytes causing a temporary electrolyte imbalance and mothers who lose weight due to HG may have an infant with a lower than average birth weight. There is no difference in neonatal death rate in mothers who have HG.

• Sources
• http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/hyperemesisgravidarum.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperemesis_gravidarum
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_chorionic_gonadotropin