Hyperemesis Gravidarum Is Not Just Morning Sickness

"Apart from the obvious bundle of joy, when most people think of pregnancy, they often think of "morning sickness." This is characterized by a generally fleeting wave of nausea and occasional vomiting, which crackers, bland foods, or ginger tea can help alleviate. But, for up to 3 percent of pregnant women, nausea and vomiting become something else entirely: Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a condition so severe it can lead to weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration, hospital admissions, and in some cases, the termination of a wanted pregnancy."

"Despite its seriousness, HG is widely misunderstood, and research is still uncertain of whether its cause is genetic, metabolic, or something else entirely. Further, because its symptoms overlap with morning sickness, the condition can be minimized or dismissed by friends, family, coworkers, and even, at times, healthcare workers. Women are told, "Tough it out." "Try crackers." "Go for a walk. "Just enjoy the process of pregnancy.""

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) affects up to three percent of pregnant women and produces relentless nausea and vomiting that often continues beyond the first trimester and throughout pregnancy. HG causes weight loss greater than five percent of pre-pregnancy body weight, malnutrition, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and hospital admission; it can lead to termination of a wanted pregnancy in some cases. Causes remain uncertain and may be genetic, metabolic, or otherwise. Symptoms overlap with common morning sickness, which leads to minimization and dismissal by friends, family, coworkers, and sometimes healthcare workers. HG imposes severe functional incapacity and a heavy psychological toll; many women feel invisible, useless, trapped, and nearly half experience postpartum depression.

Read at Psychology Today