Hyperemesis Gravidarum

How can nausea and vomiting become so severe?

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of morning sickness, with unrelenting, excessive pregnancy-related nausea and/or vomiting that prevents adequate intake of food and fluids. Hyperemesis is considered a rare complication of pregnancy but, because nausea and vomiting during pregnancy exist on a continuum, there is no clear boundary between common morning sickness and hyperemesis. Estimates of the percentage of pregnant women afflicted range from 0.3% to 2%.

The cause of HG is unknown. The leading theories speculate that it is an adverse reaction to the hormonal changes of pregnancy. In particular Hyperemesis may be due to raised levels of beta HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin) as it is more common in multiple pregnancies and in gestational trophoblastic disease.

Additional theories point to high levels of estrogen and progesterone, which may also be to blame for hypersalivation; decreased gastric motility (slowed emptying of the stomach and intestines); immune response to fragments of chorionic villi that enter the maternal bloodstream; or immune response to the "foreign" fetus.

Historically, HG has been blamed upon a psychological condition of the pregnant women. Medical professionals believed it was a reaction to an unwanted pregnancy or some other emotional or psychological problem. This theory has been disproved, but unfortunately some medical professionals espouse this view and fail to give patients the care they need.

Symptoms

When HG is severe and/or inadequately treated, it may result in:

loss of 5% or more of pre-pregnancy body weight
dehydration and ketosis
nutritional deficiencies
metabolic imbalances
difficulty with daily activities
altered sense of taste
sensitivity of the brain to motion
food leaving the stomach more slowly
rapidly changing hormone levels during pregnancy
stomach contents moving back up from the stomach
physical and emotional stress of pregnancy on the body

Some women with HG lose as much as 20% of their body weight. Many sufferers of HG are extremely sensitive to odors in their environment; certain smells may exacerbate symptoms. This is known as hyperolfaction. Ptyalism, or hypersalivation, is another symptom experienced by some, but not all, women suffering from HG.

As compared to morning sickness, HG tends to begin somewhat earlier in the pregnancy and last significantly longer. While most women will experience near-complete relief of morning sickness symptoms near the beginning of their second trimester, some sufferers of HG will experience severe symptoms until delivery.

Read the full article on wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperemesis_gravidarum

Comments: Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Comments 1 to 22 of about 22.
1

taniamommyX2 - 3 days ago.
littleBrook - really feel for you. People do not understand the severity of Hyperemesis Gravidarum and I'm sick and tired of my husband saying 'it' only morning sickness.' and 'Millions of women have done this before you'. It not only affects you physically but also emotionally and mentally. It is ver depressing. I think it would be best for you and the babies if they go with your mother. At least you will be able to rest and the kids will be looked after!

little.brooksy - 6 days ago.
I am 34 weeks pregnant and have suffered from HG in all three pregnancy but this time worse than the last two I have got so bad I am unable to function and had to make the hard decision as to weather my children would be better off staying with their nana until baby is born at 38weeks 60 miles away and unfortunately they would be i can't stand too long or sit in on position too long i cant bend or lift without being sick i cant lay flat have two single quilts as a wedge to sleep in a more of an upright position, and worst of all despite i have lost 5 stones in weight no one took me serious because i was over weight to start with! I have had to stop taking my anti depressant to ensure my cyclazine works as well as it can although i now haven't been sick more than 2-3 times a day for a week i am exhausted and finding it hard to breath due to asthma playing up (which hasn't in years) It is so hard to explain what you are feeling at any one time but find myself shouting at the kids for no reason and feeling down and misserable so now as from tomorrow my children are going away and why does it seem that when your ill the children make more mess i struggle to do anything in a day and my house which is normally my pride and joy is a mess and i can't even put the shopping away which will have to sit in the door way where the delievery men left it until my husband gets home what most people seem to forget that it doesn't just effect you it effects your whole family my son thinks i'm going to die ever time i go into hospital for fluids (i have to go 2twice a week just to pot up but even then sometimes there isn't the time to give me more than 1 bag before i have to get back for daughter or son coming home from school but at least they have let me leave hospital. has anyone else had to allow a family member take care of their children i would love to talk to someone who had I feel like i have failed them and find it so embassing having to tell people that its all because of morning sickness because they don't understand and think im blowing things out of proportion my husband knows how ill i get but it doesn't make it any easier for him to finish a 12 hour shift and then start again cooking dinner bathing kids and tiding house

taniamommyX2 - 21 days ago.
I'm 15 going on 16 weeks preg and have had severe vomiting and nausea since about 5 weeks. I feel like hell all day and even when I'm not puking, I have a horrible headache that keeps me in bed. It's so depressing and I feel so helpless. I was not nearly as sick with my son and I'm praying this passes really soon. I cant imagine going another 25 weeks like this! I feel like I'm slowly dying!! I've been on Zofran and Phenegren but still ended up in the ER this past friday. I'm going to talk to my doc this friday about a more drastic approach....

genieeyes - 27 days ago.
Just when I thought I was the only one going through this, I happen upon this site. I am 30 weeks pregnant with my 1st and intend to be my last!! I am finding somebody who will cut, tie, and burn my tubes!! Heck they can even take out all of the parts and donate them to science for all I care. I am still suffering from HG. I am currently on the Zofran pump as well as phenegan pills not to mention a heaping pile of other which don't stay down. Eating has become a trial and error experience as I have learned that what may stay down today probably won't tomorrow. I have lost 25 lbs, been hospitalized twice, out on disability, have no use of my right leg because the baby is sitting on my sciatic nerve...needless to say I will never do this again. I have been depressed and felt like a walking zombie this entire pregnancy. After going through all of this hell, I will take the epidural for $200 Alex!! LOL

MissMommyMayo - 37 days ago.
Hi other mommy to be's. I am currently 20 weeks pregnant with baby #3. I have 11 month old twin boys (I know I am going to be busy) and I am once again battling with HG. I had my PICC line placed last week and am now at home trying to manage my life, my babies and my husband all with PICC line and backpack. I am eager to try eating something other than clear liquids which has been my diet for about 3 weeks now and am wondering if anyone has a starting point. With my twins I tried mashed potatoes and luckily they worked this go around the idea of them is enough to make me nauseaseated. Also, I am having to leave my employment as a restaurant manager and did not have to leave work last time I had a PICC line placed...I am anxious about the financial end of it and am curious to see what you all are doing.

babynguyen2 - 97 days ago.
Does this sound like HG? When I was pregnant with my daughter I was sick for nine months! I was 8 weeks along when the nausea and vomiting started, had to quit my job cause I was so sick all the time with constant vomiting, at 6 months doc finally gave me some meds and they kinda helped and when I went in for my induction they gave me at least 15 bags of IV fluids from the time I checked in a 5:30 til 8:17 the next night when I had my daughter. Now that I'm pregnant again I have be sick since week 6 and I almost 15 weeks along. Doctor has given me meds again this time but they are different, I'm taking Promethazine and it has been making me tired and dizzy and I still get nausea in between doses. Im going to talk to my doctor bout HG but what do you ladies think?

newmom2009 - 115 days ago.
Hello ladies, I am going on 37wks pregnant & I also have had HG during most of my pregnancy, it hit hard at 7weeks and by the time I was 20 weeks I had lost 39lbs. Its been hard, along with multiple hospital stays, having surgery at 20wks& finally getting put on a Zofran pump & having a PICC line inserted I am finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I took myself of the Zofran 2wks ago & had the PICC line removed just over a week ago. Its been hard but I wanted to have my baby without tubes & machines hanging all over the place. My OB & the perinatal medicine dr are not agreeing on a day to induce but I was told it wont be more than 10days so I am excited!! I know what you all have gone through & I know its been hard but its all going to be worth it when our babies are in our arms!

sharna-noahs-mum - 125 days ago.
i had hyperemesis when pregnant with my son. i was admitted to hospital nimerous times and lost 20kgs. i was worried as i was unable to eat or drink for long periods of time. i was put on zofran and given fenergun injections aswell. i was miserable and had to quit work! i also felt ager and frustration at the coments like ' ginger helped me' or 'eat dry biscuits' those things may work for people with morning sickness, but not for hg. i was one of the unlucky ones and continued to be sick up until a week after i gave birth to noah. the silver lining was that he was a very healthy 9 lb 3 oz !! he definatly wasnt affected by my sickness and for that im very thankful! all the best girls just remember it will stop eventually and at the end u get the best prize of all!

ashleyplus2 - 130 days ago.
I had HG with my first pregnancy. It was horrible. I know how you girls are feeling. All I can say, is hang in there, and it will pass eventually. I got sick when I was 6 weeks along. My OBGYN kept telling me it would go away at 12 weeks, then 16, then 20. My constant nausea and vomiting finally went away at 24 weeks, but by then I had lost 30 lbs. I felt like the nurses and doctors thought I was just crazy, or wanted attention. SO not true! I was on Zofran and was hospitalized several times, it was the worst experience of my life. I got through it, and you will too, I promise! I'm now expecting my second child, and hoping to avoid going through this again. Good luck ladies, and hang in there! I know its miserable.

angicat1 - 137 days ago.
advice from anyone with hg and how you are handling it. i lose weight at every appointment this week it was another seven lbs. i am 18 weeks and no relief in sight. i am on zofran and phenegren. i also have had several ivs. they took my pic line out as they can only stay in for 30 days so its back to the hospital for iv's. i guess i am looking for some miracle that will help but will take suggestions of things that helped your hg. usually when i ask people i get answers like eat saltines and i know they are trying to help but regular morning sickness tips dont help its so severe. i just want a healthy baby and i am scared that all this losing is going to hurt baby

babaliciousbex - 189 days ago.
Hi all,i am preggers with my 2nd baby,just turned 11 weeks and for the last 5 days have been unable to keep anything down,visited my doc today who found keytones in my wee and said i have hg,said he could give me tabs but they may harm the baby....so i didnt take them.im feeling really unhappy as im lightheaded and nauseus and not sure how im gonna face working feeling like this....ive read your posts about taking other meds,so u know if they are available in uk and if my midwife is able to prescribe them to me?will i know im dehydrated when i physically cant stand anymore??

Avadeena - 199 days ago.
I was sent to this page because what I thought too be morning sickness is obviously something else , I am 8 1/2 weeks pregnant and since my 3rd week I have been non stop sick , I barely have the engery to move at all , I dont want to eat anything because it doesnt matter what I eat I throw it back up , I have been hospitalized 3 times with Dehydration and have even begun to throw up bits of blood. My doctors seem to know little of what may be happening with my system and are running numerous tests. I am very scared because I am already High risk Pregnancy with having several tubles and miscarriages, I have an Inverted uterous and My white Blood cell count is abnormally High , My body purposly trys to terminate. I have tried medications in which the doctors have prescribed I have taken pregnancy gravel to try and take away the dizzy nasuated feeling and nothing works. I am at a total and utter loss on what to do , My clock in weight at 6 weeks was 136.8 since then I have gone down from that to 131.2 and now I am at 120.5 I don't know what to do an am very scared I didnt go through any of this with my previous pregnancy with my son. Can someone please help me !?!?!?!?!

1serena - 201 days ago.
If hell is anything like this, I need to make sure I am saved! I am in and out the doctors. My body is under 100lbs. I am 14 weeks and I am trying to see the light at the end. I have never heard of this before and I have been dealing with this before I knew I was pregnant at 3 weeks. It had gotten so bad, that my husband has to hold me up and take me to the doctor. When I first got diagnosed, I didn't have the activity of my limbs. They told me it was fatal, but I am hanging on. I had so many thoughts of abortion, depression, anxiety, confusion, sleepless nights, and pains. I have taken Phenergan tablets and shots, Zofran, pain kilers (doctor approved), antiobiotics ( I was open to infection), IVs...one after the other. I am so glad that there are others out there that are dealing with the stress of HG other than me. I know we are going to have precious babies. Its the endurance of it all that counts!

~* Yummy Mummy Shell *~ - 230 days ago.
Im 33 weeks pregnant and my hyperemesis has been severe all the way through :( at 31 - 32 weeks i was hospitalised 3 times for more iv fluids and meds. Have lost over 3 stone so far and been in hosp more times than i can count (im on metaclopramide, cyclizine and ordanzetron (sp?)....my HG has caused me to suffer a liver condition called obstetric cholestasis and so im being induced at 35 weeks (20th April)!! Stay strong ladies because HG babies are the cutest and its sooo worth it in the end, i have 11 days left and i cant wait until the continous all day nausea and vomiting stop! I cant wait to meet my lil boy and the moment he is in my arms it will all be so worth it. I have put up with HG all through the pregnancy and i know that i am a strong person for doing it and so are all of you who are suffering from this awful condition! xx

MommyJewels - 335 days ago.
Hi ladies- I have a 7 month old now. I had HG bad until the placenta came out. I just wanted to write you all to let you know that in time you will have your babies even though it feels like forever and this awful time will be over with. Contact me if you need any help. I actually just revamped my mommy blog.... http://blondeinablog.blogspot.com

mama-kris - 340 days ago.
i have a question. my first doctors appt is monday so i cant discuss with doc till then. but i had HG during my first pregnancy...it didnt start till i was around 13 weeks. but i was in and out of hospital the whole pregnancy, and was on zofran twice a day. my question is...now i am 11 weeks preg with my secod, and up until now ive been lucky with morning sickness. now its starting to hit me though. since i had HG with my 1st...does that mean im going to have to go through that hell again this time????? i have different insurance now and they wont accept zofran. so if i have the HG im shit out of luck!!! zofran was a lifesaver last time!

maciandmiasmommy - 350 days ago.
I am 15wks with my 3rd child and have HG as i did with my 1st. i am miserable. i am writing this from my hospital bed which i am so sick of being in...i have been here for 4 days and dont know when i can go home. they have me on continuous iv fluids..absolutely nothing by mouth now..and round the clock zofran, reglan, phenergan, and pepcid through my iv. none of it seems to help since i am still throwing up despite all of this and nothing at all on my stomach. with my first child (who is now 6) i was hospitalized on several occassions and spent 2 months straight in at one point. that time i went through surgery to have a groshan (sp?) catheter inserted in my chest for my baby and myself to obtain nutrients. hg is no fun and i feel sorry for anyone else going through this. i AM tying my tubes after this pregnancy.

msbondkey - 356 days ago.
I am 21wks pregnant and I am still suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum. My doctor said that I am more likely probably going to sick until I deliver. I have already been admitted twice into the hospital and multiple trips to the ER and Labor & Delivery Triage area. But all in all I couldn't imagine terminating my little baby. I have been prescribe nausau medication's, phenergan and zofran. They have been helping so far. I can't wait til this pregnancy is over. I am most definitely going to have some tales to tell my little girl when she get older.

~* Yummy Mummy Shell *~ - 367 days ago.
im 14 wks and my hyperemesis is soo bad im considering termination (sorry dont wanna upset anyone), im in so much pain, cant keep anything down and im in and out of hosp going on drips and trying different meds...but im at the end of my tether now, just cant take much more...

lizzie287 - 375 days ago.
I was on diclectin as well, so was my best friend. It is very safe, the ingredients are vitamin B6 and an antihistamine. It's prescribed solely for the purpose of sickness in pregnancy and has been extensively studied and proven to have no bearing on whether a woman has a baby with defects. Ladies, PLEASE, please please please do research before posting scare messages on medications. And don't try to be a hero - making yourself stay sick when your doctor wants to prescribe something to make you feel better can have more severe impacts on your baby than anything because of malnutrition. BTW here's the site about diclectin for anyone who is interested. http://diclectin.com/, and another that isn't by the company that makes diclectin http://www.medbroadcast.com/drug_info_details.asp?brand_name_id=767

Parkersmommy1 - 375 days ago.
i took diclectin when i was preggo. it was a life saver. i lost over 10 pounds. and it is perfectly safe. me and 2 other friends were on it at the same time. all 3 of our babies turned out 100% fine. all i could eat before i got that were freezies, and apples. i found out i was pregnant in november, and was sick from then until february, freezies in winter sucked lol

kellysmith9 - 377 days ago.
i am pregnant with my third child and had hyperemisis with my other two children ,hospitalzed several times and also this time ,i was put on anti sickness called cyclazine and its helped me quite a bit .i have also taken gaviscon an anti acid medication wich has helped settle my stomach im still sick but not as bad as i was in the first few weeks i am now twelve weeks pregnant .hyperemisis is an awful condition and can really make women feel useless and really unwell im kinda glad ive found this forum as i now know im not alone with it . kelly