pregnancy
Persistent vomiting in pregnancy can signal more than typical nausea. Hyperemesis gravidarum is a serious condition that may require hospital care, but with close consultation and early management, it can usually be well controlled.
How common is HG?
While morning sickness affects the majority of pregnant women to some degree, HG is far less common.“ HG may be precipitated if the mother is expecting twins or may be associated with certain hormonal abnormalities during pregnancy,” says Dr De Jong.
For many expectant mothers, nausea is an unwelcome but accepted part of early pregnancy. But for a small percentage of women, the relentless vomiting goes far beyond what we casually refer to as“ morning sickness”.
“ The term hyperemesis gravidarum is derived from Latin, meaning excessive( hyper), vomiting( emesis) affecting pregnant women( gravidarum), and is often abbreviated to HG,” explains Dr Peter de Jong, an obstetrician and gynaecologist practising at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital.“ This is a condition that causes frequent vomiting during pregnancy. It is like morning sickness, except in HG the symptoms are much more severe.”
More than morning sickness
Nausea and vomiting are extremely common in pregnancy.“ Many women experience nausea and vomiting during this time, and even though it’ s commonly known as morning sickness, it can happen at any time of day,” Dr De Jong explains. For most women, these symptoms are unpleasant but manageable.
HG, however, is in a different category altogether.“ In HG, the symptoms are much more severe, sometimes requiring hospitalisation,” he says.
The crucial difference is in intensity and impact.“ With morning sickness, for the most part, the expectant mother wouldn’ t be at risk of dehydration,” he notes.“ When it comes to HG, the nausea is so
www. babysandbeyond. co. za excessive that the expectant mother simply can’ t keep food or fluids down.”
Women with HG may vomit multiple times a day, every day.“ Often, this can lead to weight loss and dehydration, in which case it becomes a medical emergency,” he warns.
Spotting the signs
Because nausea is so common in pregnancy, it can be difficult to know when symptoms have crossed the line. One of the most important warning signs is dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include:
• Urinating less often than usual
• Having dark yellow urine
• Feeling dizzy when standing up
He is clear about when to seek help.“ When you are vomiting to such an extent that you can’ t keep down fluids, this means you are in danger of dehydration, and you should immediately contact your obstetrician or healthcare practitioner.”
When you are vomiting to such an extent that you can’ t keep down fluids, this means you are in danger of dehydration.
It is important to get prompt and appropriate treatment.“ With close medical management and sufficient hydration, HG does not in itself place the unborn baby at risk if the condition is treated without delay,” he explains.
Risks if left untreated
If HG is not treated, dehydration can have wider consequences.“ Severe dehydration in the mother can lead to reduced circulation to the placenta,” warns Dr De Jong.“ It is therefore essential to seek medical attention early for excessive vomiting in pregnancy.”
Babies born to women who experience HG throughout pregnancy may be slightly smaller than average. However, Dr De Jong reassures patients that the overall outlook is positive.“ Otherwise, the condition doesn’ t seem to cause problems for your baby. Taking medicines recommended by your obstetrician for nausea and vomiting during the pregnancy should not affect your baby either.”
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms.“ Bed rest is usually required, and if you are dehydrated or have lost a lot of weight, it is likely you would need to be treated in a hospital,” says Dr De Jong.
In hospital, intravenous( IV) fluids are often the first step.“ This will help replace the fluids you lost through the constant vomiting and balance your electrolyte levels, which will help to make you feel better.”
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