Patient education: Hyperemesis gravidarum (The Basics)

What is hyperemesis gravidarum? — 

This is a condition that causes frequent vomiting (throwing up) during pregnancy. It is like morning sickness, except the symptoms are much more severe.

Morning sickness is the nausea and vomiting that many people have during pregnancy. Even though it is called "morning" sickness, it can happen any time of day.

What are the symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum? — 

People with hyperemesis gravidarum vomit every day, often many times a day. They can lose weight and get dehydrated because they are vomiting so much.

Symptoms of dehydration include:

●Urinating less often than usual

●Having dark yellow urine

●Feeling dizzy when standing up

●Weight loss

Symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum usually start during the first 2 to 3 months of pregnancy. Most people feel better by the middle of their pregnancy. But some people feel sick until late in pregnancy.

How do I find out if I have hyperemesis gravidarum? — 

Your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have it by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam.

Will I need tests? — 

Maybe. Your doctor or nurse might do tests to see if the vomiting is hurting your body and to make sure that another condition isn't causing your symptoms. These tests can include:

●Blood tests

●Urine tests

●An ultrasound to check your baby

What can I do on my own to feel better? — 

You can try the following:

●Eat as soon as you feel hungry, or even before you feel hungry.

●Snack often, and eat small meals. Good snacks include bland, dry foods like crackers, toast, and pretzels. The best foods to eat are high in protein or carbohydrates. These include eggs, cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, and lean meats.

●Avoid fatty foods. These include mayonnaise, bacon, fried meats, french fries, and ice cream.

●Avoid foods that are spicy or acidic (such as oranges).

●Drink cold, clear beverages, such as sports drinks and ginger ale. Avoid coffee. Also, try to drink between meals, rather than with a meal.

●Suck on popsicles or ginger-flavored lollipops.

●Brush your teeth right after you eat.

●Avoid lying down right after you eat.

●Take your vitamins at bedtime with a snack, not in the morning.

●Avoid things in your environment that upset your stomach, such as stuffy rooms, strong smells, hot places, or loud noises.

●Have someone make your meals for you.

●Wear "acupressure" bands on your wrists. These are special bands that can help with morning sickness or motion sickness.

Should I see a doctor or nurse? — 

Yes. See your doctor or nurse right away if are vomiting a lot, losing weight, or have signs of dehydration.

How is hyperemesis gravidarum treated? — 

Treatment depends on how severe your symptoms are. If you are dehydrated or have lost a lot of weight, you will probably need to be treated in the hospital with:

●Fluids that go into your vein through a tube called an "IV"

●Medicines to help stop your nausea and vomiting

If this treatment doesn't work, your doctor can feed you through a tube that goes in your nose and down into your stomach or through a vein.

Can hyperemesis gravidarum be prevented? — 

Doctors strongly recommend that anyone who might get pregnant or who is pregnant take a multivitamin. The multivitamin should contain at least 400 micrograms of folic acid. Taking a multivitamin before pregnancy and in early pregnancy might help prevent nausea and vomiting.

Will my baby be healthy? — 

Babies born to people with hyperemesis gravidarum for the entire pregnancy are a little more likely to be smaller than average. But otherwise, the condition doesn't seem to cause problems for your baby. Taking medicines for nausea and vomiting during the pregnancy should not affect your baby either.

Where can I find support? — 

Dealing with hyperemesis gravidarum can be difficult and stressful. It might help to connect with others who are going through something similar. The Hyperemesis Education and Research Foundation has information and resources on their website: www.hyperemesis.org.

More on this topic

Patient education: Morning sickness (The Basics)
Patient education: Nutrition before and during pregnancy (The Basics)

Patient education: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (Beyond the Basics)