What is hyperemesis gravidarum?
It’s morning sickness at its worst.
“Described as unrelenting and excessive nausea and vomiting, it can make women sick up to 50 times a day.”
Hyperemesis gravidarum means you are unable to take in food and fluid and can suffer fatigue, dehydration and weight loss. It can even cause the production of ketones, nutritional deficiencies, metabolic imbalances and difficulty doing your normal everyday tasks. In short: not fun.
When will hyperemesis gravidarum happen?
Symptoms will most likely start in the first six weeks when you’ll probably just think you’re experiencing ‘normal’ morning sickness. But with hyperemesis gravidarum, symptoms will become much more severe.
Symptoms will last until around 20 weeks or maybe even for the duration of pregnancy. Get ready to be very, very sympathetic to friends who go through this.
Why does hyperemesis gravidarum occur?
It’s likely to be down to several factors related to the hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy.
During the first trimester of pregnancy, two things could play a part. They are serum HCG – a hormone produced during pregnancy, and the corpus luteum – a hormone-secreting structure that develops in an ovary when it releases an egg.
Hyperemesis gravidarum has also been linked to a bacterial infection of the stomach. Women whose mums or sisters suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum are also more susceptible to it so there is a genetic factor at play too.
Who will get hyperemesis gravidarum?
Hyperemesis gravidarum affects an estimated 1% to 3% of pregnant women. Having had hyperemesis gravidarum during a previous pregnancy, being overweight, a first pregnancy and having a multiple pregnancy can increase your chances of getting HG. Women with trophoblastic disease – an extremely rare condition that involves abnormal growth of cells inside the uterus – can also be more likely to get HG.
How can hyperemesis gravidarum Betreated?
If you’re suffering, you’ll be glad to know some medications can help improve symptoms and can be used during pregnancy. They can even be used during the first 12 weeks.
If you’re suffering, you’ll likely be given vitamin B6 as well as anti-histamines as a first port of call. If that doesn’t do the trick, your doctor will move on to an anti-sickness (anti-emetic) drug called ondansetron. You’d receive this medication alongside a laxative as one of its side effects is extreme constipation (Pregnancy Support Sickness (PSS) and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service. Following that, steroids can be another option (Pregnancy Support Sickness (PSS) and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service.
Other medications out there can tackle hyperemesis gravidarum but many are not licensed in pregnancy. This is because pregnant women are usually excluded from drug trials or possible risks. But due to the seriousness of hyperemesis gravidarum, the benefits might outweigh the potential risks.
If medication really isn’t working, women can be admitted to hospital. This allows women to take their fluids intravenously and receive anti-emetics via injections.
Will hyperemesis gravidarum affect my baby?
Some evidence suggests particularly severe cases could mean women having their baby prematurely or a baby with a low birth weight. But the sooner you get medical help, the lower these risks are.
How can I get emotional help if I’m suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum?
Let’s not underestimate this: hyperemesis gravidarum can hugely affect your physical and emotional wellbeing. Heartbreakingly, an estimated 10% of women with the condition terminate wanted pregnancies as the symptoms are so extreme.
Hyperemesis gravidarum can prevent you from doing your job, from looking after other children, and might leave you feeling depressed and anxious. As well as speaking openly to friends and family about how you’re feeling, speak to your GP or midwife if you are struggling.
