When Morning Sickness Gets Out of Control

Posted on May 14, 2012 | Blog Posts, Morning Sickness News Category | | Print This Article
 

Devin, 16wks
Creative Commons License photo credit: devinf

Morning sickness, for more than 75% of pregnant women, is simply something to be dealt with. It can be frustrating at times, and it can interfere with your daily life. For a small number of women, however, morning sickness can become way more than just an annoyance. When it gets out of control, morning sickness can pose a threat to both you and your baby.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a rare condition in which a woman has severe morning sickness. If it’s not treated properly, it can cause all sorts of trouble for a pregnant woman.

Can’t tolerate food

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is defined primarily in terms of whether or not you’re able to keep down food and get the nutrition that you need during pregnancy. If you can’t get nutrients, your baby is going to have trouble growing. Hyperemesis Gravidarum is characterized by vomiting – in some cases, a woman with this severe form of morning sickness might vomit as much as 20 times a day or even more.

Required treatment

If you’re not keeping food and drink down, you’re in danger. You’re looking at dehydration and even malnutrition. When you’re pregnant, this is a real problem. Your baby needs those fluids and nutrients in order to grow and develop.

Often, a woman with Hyperemesis Gravidarum will actually require hospitalization. You may need to have IV fluids and nutrients in order to be able to stay healthy, and to protect your baby.

When does it end?

Most of the time, when a woman suffers from Hyperemesis Gravidarum it will disappear at the end of the first trimester. For others, it may last as long as the 22nd week of pregnancy. For about 20% of women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum, however, it will last throughout the entire duration of their pregnancy.

Raising awareness

Expectant moms need to know about the dangers posed by Hyperemesis Gravidarum, and about what to do if they’re experience symptoms of the condition. Tomorrow, May 15, has been established as  the first annual Hyperemesis Gravidarum World Awareness Day. If you’re pregnant or know someone who is, spend a few minutes learning about and discussing this condition.

 




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