What is HG in pregnancy?  Severe sickness condition hyperemesis gravidarum explained - and is there treatment

Kate Middleton suffered from the condition, which causes severe vomiting, during her pregnancy with Prince George
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Hyperemesis gravidarum affects around one to three in every 100 pregnant women, but what is the condition and what are the treatment options?

Here’s what you need to know.

What is hyperemesis gravidarum?

Sickness in pregnancy, sometimes referred to as morning sickness, is common, with  around eight out of every 10 pregnant women feeling sick, being sick - or both - during pregnancy.

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The NHS notes that for most women, this improves or stops completely by around weeks 16 to 20, although it can last longer for some women.

However, some pregnant women experience very bad nausea and vomiting, and might be sick numerous times a day and be unable to keep food or drink down, which can impact on their daily life.

This excessive nausea and vomiting is known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), and often needs hospital treatment.

What are the symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum?

HG is much worse than the normal nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.

Signs and symptoms of HG include:

  • prolonged and severe nausea and vomiting
  • being dehydrated - symptoms of dehydration include, feeling thirsty, tired, dizzy or lightheaded, not peeing very much, and having dark yellow and strong-smelling pee
  • weight loss
  • low blood pressure (hypotension) when standing

What should I do if I think I have HG?

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If you are being sick on a frequent basis and can’t keep food down, you should tell your midwife or doctor, or contact the hospital as soon as possible.

There is a risk you may become dehydrated, and your midwife or doctor can make sure you get the right treatment.

What are the treatment options?

There are medicines that can be used in pregnancy, including the first 12 weeks, to help improve the symptoms of HG, including anti-sickness drugs, vitamins B6 and B12, and steroids.

You may need to try different types of medicine until you find what works best for you.

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If your nausea and vomiting cannot be controlled, you may need to be admitted to hospital in order for doctors to be able to assess your condition and give you the right treatment to protect the health of you and your baby.

Treatment can include intravenous fluids, which are given directly into a vein through a drip.

The charity Pregnancy Sickness Support has information and tips on coping with nausea and vomiting, including HG, and the Bumps website details which medicines are safe to use in pregnancy.

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