Many pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting, often referred to as morning sickness. But for some, these symptoms become severe and persistent, impacting daily life. Talking to the Onlymyhealth team, Dr Anuja Thomas, Consultant, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Kharghar, Mumbai explained that this condition is called Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
What Causes Extreme Morning Sickness During Pregnancy?
Stating that extreme morning sickness or Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a common occurrence during pregnancy in a majority of women, Dr Thomas said, “Due to this condition, one has severe nausea and vomiting.”
According to the National Health Service, most cases of extreme morning sickness go unreported. A rough estimate is that one to three women in every 100 pregnant women experience Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
Talking about what causes it, she said, “Though the exact cause behind this condition is not clear, hormonal changes during pregnancy, particularly an increase in Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) and Oestrogen can lead to this unpleasant condition that can impact a woman’s overall well-being.”
Hyperemesis Gravidarum Risk Factors
Since the cause is not known, it's hard to pinpoint the risk factors of extreme morning sickness during pregnancy or Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Dr Thomas listed some probable factors that can increase your risk:
- Higher levels of hormones such as (hCG) or oestrogen can make women susceptible to morning sickness.
- Overweight or obese women who have diabetes or thyroid disorders can experience morning sickness.
- Genetics can also lead to morning sickness in pregnant women.
Potential Complications Of Extreme Morning Sickness
Dr Thomas stipulated that if you feel that your morning sickness is more than normal, “it is better to seek timely help.” Turns out, the discomfort of too much vomiting and throwing up are not the only downsides.
“Because of dehydration and nutrient deficiencies, the expectant mother tends to have weight loss, electrolyte imbalances, kidney failure, or gallbladder problems if unattended or not taken care of. For the baby, inadequate nutrition and hydration can mean growth restriction and developmental delays. Women may also feel isolated, anxious, and depressed due to constant nausea and vomiting,” said Dr Thomas.
Also Read: Possible Causes Of Morning Sickness Without Pregnancy
How To Manage Hyperemesis Gravidarum?
“Severe morning sickness or hyperemesis gravidarum is challenging for women and can put you and your baby’s health at risk,” warned Dr Thomas.
She listed a few suggestions that can help you manage extreme morning sickness or Hyperemesis Gravidarum:
- Ensure enough hydration by drinking 12-15 glasses of water per day.
- Ginger can help tackle nausea. Have ginger tea or ginger supplements after consulting your doctor.
- Take medication prescribed by the doctor only.
- Consult a doctor to build a customised treatment plan.
- Seek timely help and stay healthy during pregnancy.
- Eat smaller meals, and avoid junk, spicy, oily, and canned food.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum or extreme morning sickness can be quite a challenge because pregnancy is anyway a tough journey for the mother who has to ensure a perfect approach to maintain her health while making sure her growing child gets every nutrition it needs. Consult a doctor immediately if you suspect you are dealing with Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Working closely with your doctor can help you seek timely treatment and figure what works best for you to combat this problem and stay on top of your pregnancy.