Feeling sick to your stomach and throwing up are often just part of being pregnant. But in 1% to 3% of pregnancies, the nausea and vomiting can be so frequent and severe that it becomes dangerous enough to require hospitalization. That’s no ordinary morning sickness. It’s a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). And it shouldn’t be ignored.

“Without proper treatment, women may develop potentially life-threatening complications, such as organ failure or neurological damage,” says registered nurse Kimber MacGibbon. MacGibbon is co-founder and executive director of the HER Foundation. (HER stands for Hyperemesis Education and Research.) The baby’s health can suffer too.

While there is no cure for HG, some of the symptoms can be eased enough to make you more comfortable and protect the health of you and your baby. Here’s what you need to know about HG and how you can start to feel better.

What causes hyperemesis gravidarum?

The exact cause is unknown. But studies suggest that there are certain factors that can raise the chances of HG. They include: 

• Family history.
• Having had HG in past pregnancies.
• Being prone to motion sickness.
• Being overweight. 
• Pregnancy where you are carrying more than 1 baby at a time.

What are the signs of hyperemesis gravidarum?

HG can look a lot like ordinary morning sickness at first. But morning sickness usually ends after the first trimester (12 weeks). HG can last for more than 21 weeks in about half of the people affected by it. And in about 20% of people with HG, it lasts throughout the entire pregnancy.

Here are some other symptoms of HG that aren’t common with regular morning sickness:

• You lose weight (5 to 20 pounds or more, or more than 5% of your pre-pregnancy weight).
• You lose your appetite.
• You vomit often. Sometimes you throw up bile or blood.
• Your nausea is constant. It’s moderate or severe.
• You may not be able to work or take care of yourself.
• You need intravenous fluids or medication to feel better.
• You feel depressed and anxious.

How does hyperemesis gravidarum affect the health of the parent and baby?

For the parent, HG can be miserable and life disrupting. Some pregnant people throw up more than 3 or 4 times a day. They feel dizzy or lightheaded. They have a hard time keeping down food and water. And they don’t want to eat or drink because of their nausea.

For those reasons, pregnant people with HG can sometimes become dehydrated. They can also have trouble gaining weight during pregnancy. And it can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety, needing to miss work, and even job loss.

These issues can trickle down to the baby too. Not gaining weight during pregnancy can mean your baby is born with a low birth weight. A baby with a lower birth weight may have health problems. They may have trouble eating and gaining weight. They may also have a hard time fighting off infections.

How do you treat hyperemesis gravidarum?

Sadly, there’s no cure for HG. But there are several treatments to help ease symptoms. On the list:

• Anti-vomiting medications suggested by your doctor.
• Eating bland foods, such as toast and applesauce.
• Having more frequent, smaller meals throughout the day.
• Using a pressure point wristband to reduce nausea.
• Taking a B6 vitamin or ginger to reduce nausea.
• In more severe cases, pregnant people might need to get fluids or extra nutrition intravenously in the hospital.

Talk to your doctor before trying any of these treatments or actions. Often, they can help stop HG from becoming too severe. And it’s important to speak up to your doctor and make sure they take your concerns seriously.

“The criteria used to diagnose HG often varies among health professionals and researchers,” says MacGibbon. “We know that women do better with proactive and aggressive care.” If your current doctor isn’t giving your symptoms the attention they deserve, think about finding a new one. Need help finding an in-network doctor with experience treating HG? Reach out to your care advocate through your Wellframe app.

Find the support you need.

Getting through a pregnancy with HG is not easy. But stay strong. For most people, HG symptoms improve as the pregnancy goes on. And many pregnant people can ease the symptoms through medicine and lifestyle changes.

“There is hope for surviving HG,” says MacGibbon, who experienced HG twice and is now the parent of 2 healthy children. The most important thing is getting the support and medicine you need.

[Sources:]

[1] “Do I Have Morning Sickness or HG?” HER Foundation, https://www.hyperemesis.org/who-we-help/mothers-area/get-info/do-i-have-morning-sickness-or-hg/. Accessed March 5, 2022.

[2] “Low Birthweight.” March of Dimes, June 2021, https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/low-birthweight.aspx Accessed March 5, 2022.

[3] “About Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG).” HER Foundation, https://www.hyperemesis.org/about-hyperemesis-gravidarum/. Accessed March 5, 2022.

[4] “Hyperemesis Gravidarum (Severe Nausea & Vomiting During Pregnancy.” Cleveland Clinic, December 2, 2020, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12232-hyperemesis-gravidarum-severe-nausea--vomiting-during-pregnancy.