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Nausea and vomiting are very common in pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester. Around three-quarters of women are affected and about 80 per cent feel sick at varying times of the day — much to the dismay of many expectant mothers. There is a light at the end of the tunnel for most, with morning sickness subsiding after week 12. But unfortunately for some, the vomiting and nausea is very severe and occurs multiple times every day. This is a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. Symptoms usually improve between weeks 15 and 20, but for a small percentage of women they may persist through the entire pregnancy. Hyperemesis gravidarum vs. morning sicknessHyperemesis gravidarum is like morning sickness but far worse. It affects 0.3 to 2.3 per cent of pregnancies and it is persistent and severe nausea and vomiting. The effects can be far-reaching and beyond the physical. Many women feel great distress and sometimes depressed, and there is a heavy impact on their social and work life, as well as a risk of causing financial hardship from an inability to work. Women also report feeling isolated, exhausted and helpless. It’s important to stress that your baby will not be harmed by the retching and vomiting. However, there is a risk that if hyperemesis gravidarum is prolonged, your baby may have a low birth weight. There is also danger of dehydration in the mother. When you should seek helpIt is very important to seek medical help if you find yourself in a dehydrated state, unable to keep food or fluids down. Watch for:
Call your doctor immediately for advice or seek hospital treatment. TreatmentsIt may seem like a long, endless road, but there is help. Your doctor will conduct a full examination and investigate whether you need blood tests, liver and urine analysis, blood pressure and heart rate checks, IV fluids, and perhaps a pelvic ultrasound. There are several medications that your healthcare professional may prescribe including an antiemetic (anti-vomiting) drug, particular types of antacids, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin B1, steroids or antihistamines. There is also anecdotal evidence that acupressure, acupuncture, ginger, evening primrose oil, and hypnosis can reduce symptoms. Expectant mothers should be careful about self-diagnosis and buying pharmaceutical products off the shelf. It is important to seek medical advice beforehand. You may become unwell again after receiving treatment. If you are unable to keep food or fluids down for 24 hours, if you have very dark urine or you’re losing weight, seek immediate help again. Some women find dietary changes can help, particularly if the nausea and vomiting is less extreme. Although it can be difficult, try to eat small meals, drink flat or fizzy mineral water often, and try to eat 10 to 15 minutes before getting out of bed. Dry crackers are ideal. Also, carry snacks in case hunger strikes because you will need to take advantage of every small window of opportunity. Avoid stress and whatever you find are your personal triggers. These could be flickering lights, loud noises, certain smells or car rides. CausesIt is thought the hormone HCG may be responsible, but there are some risk factors:
If you are concerned about your morning sickness, contact your obstetrician, midwife or GP. Also seek support from other women suffering the condition and who understand what you are going through. As unpleasant and upsetting as it is, your symptoms will subside and you’ll have your newborn baby in your arms. About the Author Dr Philip Rowlands is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecological Surgeon who has delivered more than 10,000 babies in Australia and the UK. To book in with Dr Rowlands, visit his website at www.drphiliprowlands.com.au or call his rooms on (08) 9448 6064. Glengarry Private Hospital is a 110-bed private hospital in Duncraig, Perth. It’s common to experience morning sickness (nausea) during pregnancy. This condition is generally harmless. While morning sickness can be quite uncomfortable, it typically goes away within 12 weeks. Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is an extreme form of morning sickness that causes severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. It often requires hospital treatment. Morning sickness and HG are very different conditions. They have different complications and side effects. It’s important to distinguish between these two conditions to properly treat symptoms. Morning sicknessMorning sickness typically includes nausea that’s sometimes accompanied by vomiting. Nausea is common in pregnancy. Up to 90 percent of pregnant women experience it. With morning sickness, nausea and vomiting usually disappear after 12 weeks of pregnancy but sometimes continue until 20 weeks or longer. The vomiting doesn’t cause severe dehydration. Morning sickness typically begins in the first month of pregnancy. It usually goes away by the third or fourth month. People with morning sickness can get fatigue and a slight loss of appetite. They may have difficulty performing their usual daily activities. Hyperemesis gravidarumHG is a rarer condition, happening in only about 0.5 to 2 percent of pregnancies. It typically includes nausea that doesn’t go away and severe vomiting that leads to dehydration. This doesn’t allow you to keep any food or fluids down. The symptoms of HG typically begin within the first 6 weeks of pregnancy. HG can be extremely debilitating and cause fatigue that lasts for weeks or months. People with HG may not be able to work or perform their normal daily activities. HG can lead to dehydration and poor weight gain during pregnancy. There’s no known way to prevent morning sickness or HG, but there are ways to manage the symptoms. HG usually starts during the first trimester of pregnancy. Symptoms can come and go, so there may be times when you need hospital treatment to manage your symptoms, and other times when you feel better. Some of the most common symptoms of HG are:
Almost all pregnant people experience some degree of morning sickness. Morning sickness is nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Despite the name, morning sickness isn’t confined to the morning. It can occur at any time. Morning sickness and HG seem to have a connection to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This is a hormone created during pregnancy by the placenta. Your body produces a large amount of this hormone at a rapid rate early in pregnancy. These levels typically peak about 10 to 12 weeks into your pregnancy and then begin to decline. Some factors that could increase your risk of getting HG are:
Trophoblastic disease can also cause HG. Trophoblastic disease occurs when there’s an abnormal growth of cells inside the uterus. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history and your symptoms. A standard physical exam is enough to diagnose most cases. Your doctor will look for common signs of HG, such as abnormally low blood pressure or a fast pulse. Blood and urine samples may also be necessary to check for signs of dehydration. Your doctor might also order additional tests to rule out gastrointestinal problems as a cause of your nausea or vomiting. An ultrasound might be necessary to find out whether you’re pregnant with twins or whether there’s are any problems. This test uses sound waves to create an image of the inside of your body. Treatment for HG depends on the severity of your symptoms. Sometimes, early treatment of morning sickness may lower your risk of developing HG. Your doctor may recommend natural nausea prevention methods, such as vitamin B6 or ginger. Morning sickness may also be treated by eating smaller, more frequent meals and dry foods, such as crackers. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Unlike typical morning sickness, HG requires medical treatment. Usually, a person experiencing HG will need to be treated in a hospital. If you’re unable to keep fluids or food down due to constant nausea or vomiting, you’ll need to get them intravenously (through an IV). Medication is necessary when vomiting puts your health or the health of the fetus (baby) at risk. Some of the most commonly used anti-nausea drugs are promethazine and meclizine. These medications can be taken in different ways. For example, promethazine can be taken as an injection, suppository, oral medication, or topical treatment. Some of the medications that can be used to treat severe HG, like methylprednisolone, can cause birth defects. However, severe dehydration and other complications of HG may be of greater concern. Talk with your doctor about the risks associated with any method of treatment. The good news is that symptoms of HG will disappear after giving birth. And treating HG during pregnancy can help reduce the risk of complications for you and the baby. Talk with your doctor, and pursue education and support groups to help you and your family deal with HG. Be sure to communicate your feelings to your doctor and personal support system. Is hyperemesis gravidarum the same as morning sickness?The medical term for severe morning sickness is "hyperemesis gravidarum" (hi-per-EM-eh-sis grav-ih-DARE-um), which means "excessive vomiting during pregnancy." It usually follows a similar timeline to normal morning sickness. But it can go longer, sometimes lasting for the whole pregnancy.
How do I know if I've got hyperemesis gravidarum?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.
When does morning sickness turn into hyperemesis?Rarely, morning sickness is so bad that it turns into hyperemesis gravidarum. This is when the nausea and vomiting cause serious fluid loss or loss of more than 5% of pre-pregnancy body weight. Hyperemesis gravidarum might require going to a hospital for treatment.
How do you rule out hyperemesis gravidarum?How Is Hyperemesis Gravidarum Diagnosed?. A complete blood count.. A serum electrolyte test (blood test). Ketones urine test (when the body isn't getting enough nutrients, it begins to break down fat, which leads to an increase in waste products known as ketones). |
What is the difference between morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum
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