While most women naturally experience some nausea during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, a few women suffer from severe nausea and vomiting, sometimes the entire nine months. If you are barely able to function because of nausea and vomiting, don't suffer in silence; let your obstetrician know. You may have a condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hyperemesis Gravidarum?
In addition to non-stop nausea, you may vomit up virtually everything you eat. Left unfettered, this can quickly lead to dehydration, a loss of energy, an electrolyte imbalance, general malaise, and eventually, weight loss. Obviously, none of these things are good for a pregnant woman and her developing baby.
How Do You Know If It's Just Regular Morning Sickness Or Something More?
The normal pregnancy will produce nausea, especially in the morning, with occasional vomiting. There is no dehydration or weight loss. A pregnancy that results in severe nausea that lasts throughout the day, virtually everything eaten comes back up, doesn't relent after 12 weeks, and results in dehydration and weight loss rather than weight gain may be hyperemesis gravidarum. It's important to be honest with your physician so they can properly diagnose you. Most women who have minor nausea can eat a few saltines, especially before rising in the morning, and feel better shortly, but this won't work with the woman suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum.
Why Does Hyperemesis Gravidarum Happen?
Some women are the perfect picture of health during pregnancy, glowing and beautiful. If you're not one of those, it can be disheartening, especially if you have to be around them at Lamaze classes and doctor appointments.
Scientists surmise that some women have a hyperreaction to the changing hormones that pregnancy brings on, but this is just an educated guess. The exact cause is unknown yet, and unfortunately, there is no sure cure.
How Is Hyperemesis Gravidarum Treated?
If your obstetrician determines this is what you are dealing with, he may decide to prescribe a drug called Diclegis. Unfortunately, this doesn't always work, and like any drug during pregnancy, one has to consider the potential risks.
In severe cases, hospitalization may be required, especially if you are dehydrated, which results in decreased urine output, low blood pressure, jaundice, and other symptoms. Hospitalization will allow you to receive fluids intravenously and monitoring of your vital symptoms as well as the baby's. You may also need to drink liquid meal replacements or even have a feeding tube inserted temporarily. Ginger may also be of use. Click here for more help.
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