pregnant woman experiencing nausea leaning over a toilet
Julie Hambleton
Julie Hambleton
December 26, 2023 ·  4 min read

“My journey to hell and back”: What I want people to know about Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

Morning sickness is quite common during the first trimester of pregnancy. When nausea, vomiting, and just plain illness are relentless? This is no longer just regular morning sickness. You are likely suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum. This woman wrote a blog about her experience with the condition in hopes that her story will help others. 

Emilie Baekken’s Experience With Hyperemesis Gravidarum

When Emilie Baekken found out she was pregnant with her first child, she and her husband were overjoyed. That bliss didn’t last long; however, she began suffering from what she thought was just bad morning sickness very soon after. As time passed and she was sick to her stomach day in and day out, she realized that this was not just morning sickness. After a visit to the doctor, they confirmed that she had Hyperemesis Gravidarum. (1)

What Is Hyperemesis Gravidarum?

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is an extreme form of morning sickness in which women experience severe nausea and vomiting during their pregnancy. Often these women are so sick that they end up losing weight during their first trimester. The condition can be so severe that it poses a risk to both the mother’s life and her unborn child’s. (2)

Unlike morning sickness, which usually goes away within the first three to four months of pregnancy and doesn’t last all day long, Hyperemesis Gravidarum does not. The constant vomiting can cause severe dehydration, along with the huge challenge of keeping and food or even just water down. (3)

“Just imagine having the worst food poisoning or stomach flu imaginable, but knowing it may last day-in-day-out for months on end.,” wrote Emilie. “HG was not only extremely physically challenging with severe nausea and vomiting, weight loss, extreme salivation, sensitivities to smells, constipation, and hospitalization due to dehydration – but it pushed me emotionally to the brink, feeling so sick that even taking a shower felt like a marathon.” (1)

Currently, there is no way to prevent both morning sickness and Hyperemesis Gravidarum from happening. There are, however, ways to manage it to keep both mom and baby safe and healthy. (3)

Read: Mom Fitted with Pacemaker at Age 32 Says She Used to Drink 6 Energy Drinks Per Day

How To Manage Hyperemesis Gravidarum

The first thing you need to do if you expect your morning sickness might be something more severe is visiting your doctor. They do a blood and urine sample and ask you questions about your symptoms to determine if what you are experiencing is Hyperemesis Gravidarum. From there, they will help you to determine the best plan for you to manage it to keep you and your baby healthy. (3)

“Make it clear to your medical professional how bad you really feel, how little you are drinking/eating and how many times per day/night you are vomiting. Keep a close eye on your weight before getting pregnant and be sure to tell the doctor how much weight you are losing.” Emilie advises. (1)

If your symptoms aren’t so severe, your doctor may first suggest natural nausea prevention methods such as certain vitamin supplements or ginger. Another good idea is to eat smaller, more frequent meals. Stick to dry foods like crackers and drink as many fluids as possible. Really, whatever you can stomach is what you should go for. (3)

If your case is so severe that you are vomiting profusely and can’t keep any food or liquids down at all, you may require hospitalization and intravenous. Lastly, if the condition is threatening the livelihood of both the mother and child, then some medications may be prescribed. (3)

When Will You Get Relief?

Many places you read will tell you 12 weeks; however, anyone who has suffered from Hyperemesis Gravidarum will tell you that this is not always the case. Every woman’s experience will be different and last a different length of time. In some cases, it can last the entire pregnancy. Emilie, for example, was sick nearly the entire time for her first pregnancy. For her second, she fared a little bit better. (3)

“I think my second pregnancy was easier to deal with because I expected the worst and thought I would be sick for the entire time, rather than thinking it would pass at 12, 20 or 30 weeks.” (1)

If you are sick right up until your due date, your symptoms will go away after you give birth. Be aware, however, that your recovery time after birth will likely be longer. Be sure to get lots of rest during your pregnancy and do your best to get some after, as well. Reach out to your partner, friends, and family for additional support, as your needs during pregnancy will be higher than usual. (3)

“It’s important to keep your expectations low when it comes to HG. Your pregnancy will be a struggle, but it will be totally worth it when you have your gorgeous baby in your arms – and can eat again.” (1)

Keep Reading: How do I know if I have a blood clot?

Sources

  1. My journey to hell and back”: What I want people to know about Hyperemesis Gravidarum.Mama Mia. Emily Baekken. January 25, 2021.
  2. Hyperemesis Gravidarum.” E Medicine. Dotun A Ogunyemi, MD., et al. January 4, 2017.
  3. Hyperemesis Gravidarum.” Healthline. Carmella Wint. July 16, 2018