Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Pregnant women are often heard complaining about morning sickness and it is amongst the foremost symptoms reported during early pregnancy. It is quite common during the first trimester and often does not require treatment, but what if the nausea is severe and the extreme vomiting leads to dehydration? In its severe form, a woman who suffers from Hyperemesis Gravidarum will not be able to sip fluids or eat food leading to malnourishment. Such severe vomiting during pregnancy affects almost 1% of all pregnant women.

This is the condition being recently reported by the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. The medical experts are surprised about this uncommon incidence during the royal couple’s second pregnancy. The medical theory about this condition describes it as the body’s excessive reaction to the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin hormone, which is formed by the placenta in the womb. If the hormone is excessively formed, the reactions are severe; although some believe that genetics, body chemistry and overall health of the pregnant woman have an important role to play.

The experience is quite traumatic for a woman who has just announced her pregnancy. The symptoms are often increased by hunger, fatigue and folic acid supplements. Extreme smells too can trigger the sensation. Probably, the only good part regarding this complication is that the symptoms usually get better as pregnancy progresses, very rarely existing beyond the 12th week. Meanwhile the pregnant woman should keep a close watch on her weight, nutrition, metabolic parameters and stress. 

This condition is treated as a medical emergency. Similar to the treatment plan of the Duchess, the pregnant lady is often hospitalized as a preventive measure to deal with the complication of shock due to loss of body fluids. The treatment includes immediate resuscitation with intravenous fluid administration in the central veins along with a soft and bland diet plan. A lady suffering from the condition surely needs help as they need time off work as well as emotional support from the partner and the entire family.