Supporting Someone With Hyperemesis Gravidarum

"Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is one of the most severe and misunderstood complications of pregnancy. As discussed in Part I of this two-part series, it is characterized by relentless nausea and vomiting that lasts beyond the first trimester and often carries on throughout the entirety of pregnancy. It can cause significant weight loss and a need for hospitalization. Furthermore, it is associated with serious psychological consequences, including depression, anxiety, post- traumatic stress symptoms, and even suicidal ideation. And yet, despite the growing body of research validating the emotional toll of HG, there remains a glaring gap in how we treat it and women who experience it."

"In many healthcare settings, the physical aspects of HG are often treated as emergencies, because they are. As such, the management of HG focuses almost entirely on physical symptoms: IV fluids, anti-nausea medications, nutritional support, and hospitalization if needed. But, the emotional effects, which are much less visible, can be just as urgent: In one qualitative study, women described HG as "a form of torture" and "a living death". These are descriptions of trauma, yet according to a 2018 review, psychological interventions specific to HG are almost nonexistent, and the few studies that exist do not offer evidence-based treatment recommendations."

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) causes relentless nausea and vomiting beyond the first trimester, often lasting the entire pregnancy, and can lead to significant weight loss and hospitalization. HG is associated with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Clinical care commonly prioritizes physical stabilization — IV fluids, anti-nausea medications, nutritional support, and inpatient care — while emotional and psychological needs are infrequently addressed. Women with HG frequently report feeling useless, dehumanized, and erased from their own lives, sometimes describing the experience as a form of torture or a living death. Psychological interventions specific to HG are largely lacking, and online peer support often provides validation. Support persons can experience anger, loneliness, and burnout.

Read at Psychology Today