728x90
Complications & Cesareans

Hyperemesis Gravidarum (Extreme Morning Sickness)

Surviving Extreme Morning Sickness

Hyperemesis Gravidarum-Surviving Extreme Morning SicknessSarah Krengle, a mother of three children, has suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), or severe morning sickness, during all of her pregnancies. She remembers the duration of her pregnancies as extremely debilitating. "I was completely dysfunctional," she says. "Sometimes I could muster up only enough energy to crawl to the bathroom."

Unpleasant as Krengle's experience sounds, it is only a fraction of what she and other women afflicted with HG endure. For most women, pregnancy is challenging both physically and emotionally; yet many women who experience hyperemesis gravidarum describe their pregnancies as the most difficult times of their lives.

What Is Hyperemesis Gravidarum?
Hyperemesis gravidarum, says Dr. Arianna Sholes-Douglas, perinatologist and coordinator of Mercy Medical Center's High Risk Pregnancy program, is a complication of pregnancy affecting fewer than 1 percent of pregnant women. In cases of hyperemesis gravidarum, the expectant mother is afflicted with extreme and persistent nausea and vomiting (20 to 30 times a day), will lose between 10 to 20 percent of her body weight and will suffer electrolyte imbalance. Sometimes, as a result of severe dehydration, liver damage will occur.

The fact that it is uncommon does not make hyperemesis gravidarum less real.

Hyperemesis gravidarum may last the duration of the pregnancy, but often becomes less extreme as the pregnancy progresses. Most women suffering from HG undergo serious agitation, worrying about harmful effects to the fetus. There is generally little danger to the fetus in these cases, though. Acting as a parasite, the fetus will receive the nourishment it requires.

There is no proven answer as to why hyperemesis gravidarum arises, though there are many theories. Many people believe HG is a result of rapidly rising levels of hCG, human chorionic gonadotropin, which is secreted by the fetus. Some attribute it to carrying multiple fetuses.

How to Treat HG
According to Dr. Linda Harel, assistant head of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Mayanei HaYeshua Hospital in Israel, intravenous hydration is the primary treatment in the case of hyperemesis gravidarum. A patient will be admitted to the hospital when she is "severely dehydrated, in a negative metabolic – or catabolic – state, and/or ketones are found in the urine," she says. Anti-emetic drugs, those used to stop the vomiting, are often administered.


pages: 1 2 3
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT...

Hyperemesis Gravidarum (Extreme Morning Sickness)

Post as:
Comment Text:
 
CAPTCHA:
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discretion.
 
cancel
Anonymous says
6 days, 18 hours ago

i suffer from hyperemesis its so bad i feel like giving up evenually i miscarry please tell me how to get along in 9 months its a long time i would love to hear from somebody with same condition

Anonymous says
1 week, 2 days ago

Wow i didnt realise how many people have had HG.I had HG for the whole 9 months of pregnancy and i didnt know what it was.The doctors and nurses never told me there was something called HG and as a result i was never hospitalized but should have been..I remember days when all i ate was 1 piece of plain bread and that was it.This sickness is absolute hell and i would not wish on my worst enemy..Anyway i just wanted to say that it does not mean you will have it with all your pregnancies.I am no 10 weeks along andhve had what you would call normal morning sickness and it has now ceased altogether..Dont lose hope and make sure you tell the doctor how sick you really are. Stuff all the people that think you are just trying to get attention because this is a life changing sickness that they will never understand..

Anonymous says
1 week, 3 days ago

OMG, this article is a bright light for me! This is exactly what I experienced last time. I felt like I couldn't explain to anyone how severe it was. After explaining it for a while, it felt like I was just complaining and not as tough as others who had gone through morning sickness too.

Anonymous says
3 weeks, 2 days ago

I have had HG with both of my pregnancies. I often felt alone and isolated. I am unable to function and rely heavily on friends and family when this has occured. For me it lasts several months and at times seemed unbearable. When I would tell others I was sick they would proceed to tell me their "morning sickness" story about when they were pregnant and how they knew how I felt. It would just smile and cry later. My husband was amazing and I can't even write all the countless times he just held me when I was to sick to even cry. Through both of my experiences I have learned endurance and I am all the more grateful when I hold my precious children. I know how much I went through to get them here. To all those who read this who are suffering with HG, know that you are not alone and there are women out there who understand you and continue to pray for you!

HG MAMA says
3 weeks, 5 days ago

All I can say is MEDICAL MARIJUANA. Controlling the symptoms earlier in pregnancy with MM seems to be much more effective. It will be a good day when the medical community admits the amazing relief MM can provide to a mama suffering from HG. All these drugs can have so many horrible side effects, I know this personally, and marijuana has almost no side effects and is natural and safe. Even better, no person has EVER died from marijuana use. That can't be said of some of these other drugs that are used for HG.

Content provided on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be construed to be medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Click here for additional information.

Welcome, please join our community!
New guest? Sign up!   Returning guest? Sign in!
This content requires flash player 9. Click here to upgrade your flash player.
award winning baby nursery essentials
300x250
SOUND OFF! VOTE & DISCUSS

What is your biggest pregnancy fear?

  results
AWARD WINNING PRODUCTS
JOIN THE BOOK CLUB

Join the Pregnancy Today Book Club for some great reads. More >

GALLERIES

728x90