While pregnancy is an exciting journey for families, there are a few conditions that expectant mothers may or may not be aware of. Your midwife or doctor will be able to advise you fully on these, but today we wanted to introduce one of these conditions to you so you can be aware of the symptoms, some experiences and what you can do about it.
Everyone has heard of morning sickness, and while we know that this is a bit of a misnomer – it rarely only strikes in the morning! – there is also another, more severe condition that is often confused with the nausea and sickness you experience while pregnant: hyperemesis gravidarum, sometimes referred to simply as HG.
How to tell the difference between hyperemesis gravidarum and morning sickness
Morning sickness, which includes both nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, is very common. Around 8 in 10 women will experience morning sickness, usually during their first trimester with the effects often wearing off between 12 and 20 weeks. Hyperemesis gravidarum however is less common and is estimated to be experienced by around 1 to 3 people in 100.
For some women, this sickness can be debilitating – affecting their ability to get enough sustenance every day, including water, the nausea will be constant and severe, and it can cause them to lose weight during pregnancy, usually between 5 and 20lbs. Women with hyperemesis gravidarum will likely require treatment through rehydration fluids in an IV and medication to reduce their symptoms, whereas those with normal pregnancy sickness will be able to make small changes to what they eat or do to help them through the early weeks of pregnancy without needing treatment.
There may seem to be a fine line in the early weeks of pregnancy where aversions cause you to feel nauseous a lot of the time and you are periodically sick. If you are worried that your nausea and sickness is going beyond what is normal, it’s important to speak to your midwife quickly, or if it is very severe, to get emergency medical treatment.
What causes hyperemesis gravidarum?
Medical sources state that there is no definite answer on what causes hyperemesis gravidarum or even sickness in pregnancy. There are a huge number of things going on in your body during pregnancy, and your hormone levels rise very rapidly, so this is believed to be the main factor, along with low blood sugar which often happens in the morning. The hormone HCG which is released by the placenta is suggested to be the main culprit as those with higher levels, such as those pregnant with twins or multiples, often experience more extreme morning sickness.
There does seem to be a correlation between family members experiencing hyperemesis gravidarum, so if your mother, sister or grandmother suffered from it, there is a chance you may too. If you have had it in a previous pregnancy too, it is more likely that you will experience it again.
Does hyperemesis gravidarum affect the baby?
Morning sickness should not affect your baby, and hyperemesis gravidarum is unlikely to affect your baby directly. However, the results of hyperemesis gravidarum, especially if left untreated, may do. If you lose a lot of weight during pregnancy as a result of extreme sickness, there is an increased risk that your baby may be born with a lower birth weight.
The dehydration that may come from hyperemesis gravidarum can also increase your risk factor for blood clots and deep vein thrombosis as well as premature labour. This is why it’s very important to get treatment as soon as possible if it’s needed.
How do you get rid of hyperemesis gravidarum?
With day to day pregnancy sickness, you can often control your symptoms with your lifestyle and diet, such as avoiding travel and choosing foods that help with nausea such as ginger biscuits and peppermint tea. However with hyperemesis gravidarum, it is unlikely that small changes like these will help to improve your nausea or sickness.
Medical treatment is usually the only answer to hyperemesis gravidarum as the sickness can be so severe that it can be debilitating. You may be prescribed antiemetic medication which reduces your nausea and sickness or steroids. It is important to speak to your midwife or doctor to find out which will work best for you, and they will be able to advise what is safe to use in pregnancy.
In more extreme cases, you may need to be admitted to hospital in order to receive fluids intravenously to replace those that you’ve lost. Some women may also need to receive antiemetic medication in this way as they struggle to keep it down otherwise. You may also be given medication to reduce your risk of developing blood clots if you’re dehydrated.
Where can I access support for hyperemesis gravidarum?
For women experiencing this type of extreme sickness, it can feel scary and isolating, particularly if it’s preventing you from being able to leave the house and do things you usually do. The first port of call is always your midwife who will be able to help you access the medical treatment outlined above, and they may also be able to suggest local support groups.
You can always find more information and advice, as well as a free helpline, at the Pregnancy Sickness Support charity. There you can not only find stories from others who have gone through this, but also advice on coping strategies, counselling, how to manage responsibilities such as work and family while going through HG and more.
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