Most women think that morning sickness is as normal as pregnancy itself, and that whatever they are going through, be it throwing up in the morning or just the nausea, is all part of the process. But some women experience much more severe symptoms of morning sickness than the average mother-to-be. More than just severe morning sickness, there is actually a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. Hyperemesis gravidarum is, by definition, the loss of at least 5% of the total body weight. Rather than gaining weight, which is obviously the norm during pregnancy, the pregnant woman’s body loses some of its pre-pregnancy weight.
Causes of Hyperemesis Gravidarum
The cause of hyperemesis gravidarum is unknown. The leading theory suggests that it is an adverse reaction to hormonal changes during pregnancy, in particular, to high levels beta HCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin). This theory fits best as it explains why hyperemesis gravidarum is most common in the first trimester (around week 8 to week 12) of pregnancy, where HCG levels are the highest. Historically, doctors used to believe that hyperemesis gravidarum was a psychological condition where the woman’s body reacts to unwanted pregnancies, thus aggravating its symptoms. This theory has, of course, been disproved. But unfortunately, some doctors still cling to this idea.
Symptoms of Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Hyperemesis gravidarum is not done justice when it is referred to as "severe morning sickness." Many women suffer unnecessarily because a lot of people dismiss hyperemesis gravidarum as “just” a severe case of morning sickness. This condition should not be treated lightly. About one in every 300 pregnant woman each year suffers from this condition. More often than not, though, even if a woman is brought to a hospital because of unbearable morning sickness, doctors dismiss the symptoms as morning sickness because of the great similarity in its manifestations. It is up to the patient and her family to be mindful of the other symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum that the attending doctor may fail to notice when the patient is brought in the hospital.
Some of the other symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum are loss of 5% or more of pre-pregnancy body weight, dehydration, constipation, loss of appetite, altered sense of taste, sensitivity of the brain to motion, food leaving the stomach more slowly, stomach contents moving back up from the stomach, physical and emotional stress of pregnancy on the body, subconjunctival hemorrhage (broken blood vessels in the eyes), difficulty with daily activities and hallucinations.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum Treatment
Because the symptoms of hyperemisis gravidarum are usually ones that involve excessive vomiting and lack of appetite, the most common complications are dehydration and malnutrition. This being so, treatment for hyperemisis gravidarum involves restoring and replenishing the electrolytes and other nutrients the body is missing. These include IV hydration and other nutritional supplements as seen fit depending on what the patient’s body needs. Some of these nutritional supplements may include thiamine, vitamin A, vitamin B, potassium and sodium. Drug medication is ill-advised since no drug is completely risk-free for use during pregnancy.
Morning Sickness Help
The most important thing for pregnant women who are suffering from hyperemisis gravidarum is for them to know that this condition is more than just severe morning sickness. Since depression can also be one of the complications of hyperemisis gravidarum, it is vital that the patient have the support of her family or friends during the pregnancy.
Sources:
Folkenberg, Judy. "Mal De Mere: Simple Remedies Best for Morning Sickness." FDA Consumer Nov. 1988
Mitchell, Mary Kay. Nutrition across the Life Span. Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders, 1997.
"Pregnancy Myths? Bombarded with Rumors and Facts, Expectant Parents Wonder Whether Anything Is Safe for Baby." Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL) 14 May 2007
Marlene de Wilde - Marlene has a BA in journalism and psychology. She teaches English as a Second Language in Crete.
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