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What is hyperemesis gravidarum?
Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate
What are the symptoms of
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
hyperemesis gravidarum?

How do I find out if I have

What is hyperemesis gravidarum?
hyperemesis gravidarum?
This is a condition that causes frequent vomiting (throwing up) during pregnancy. It is like morning sickness, except the symptoms are much more severe.
Will I need tests?
Morning sickness is the nausea and vomiting that many people have during pregnancy. Even though it is called "morning" sickness, it can happen any time of day.
What can I do on my own to feel
better?
What are the symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum?
Should I see a doctor or nurse?
People with hyperemesis gravidarum vomit every day, often many times a day. They can lose weight and get dehydrated because they are vomiting so much.
How is hyperemesis gravidarum
Symptoms of dehydration include:
treated?
● Urinating less often than usual
Can hyperemesis gravidarum be
● Having dark yellow urine
prevented? ● Feeling dizzy when standing up
● Weight loss
Will my baby be healthy?
Symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum usually start during the first 2 to 3 months of pregnancy. Most people feel better by the middle of their pregnancy. But some people feel sick until late in pregnancy.
More on this topic

RELATED TOPICS How do I find out if I have hyperemesis gravidarum?

Patient education: Morning sickness Your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have it by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam.
(The Basics)

Patient education: Nausea and

Will I need tests?
vomiting of pregnancy (Beyond the
Basics) Maybe. Your doctor or nurse might do tests to see if the vomiting is hurting your body and to make sure that another condition isn't causing your symptoms. These tests can include:

Patient education: Nutrition before ● Blood tests

and during pregnancy (The Basics) ● Urine tests
● An ultrasound to check your baby

What can I do on my own to feel better?

You can try the following:

● Eat as soon as you feel hungry, or even before you feel hungry.

● Snack often, and eat small meals. Good snacks include bland, dry foods like crackers, toast, and pretzels. The best foods to eat are high in protein or carbohydrates. These include eggs, cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, and lean meats.

● Avoid fatty foods. These include mayonnaise, bacon, fried meats, french fries, and ice cream.

● Avoid foods that are spicy or acidic (such as oranges).

● Drink cold, clear beverages, such as sports drinks and ginger ale. Avoid coffee. Also, try to drink between meals, rather than with a meal.

● Suck on popsicles or ginger-flavored lollipops.

● Brush your teeth right after you eat.

● Avoid lying down right after you eat.

● Take your vitamins at bedtime with a snack, not in the morning.

● Avoid things in your environment that upset your stomach, such as stuffy rooms, strong smells, hot places, or loud noises.

● Have someone make your meals for you.

● Wear "acupressure" bands on your wrists. These are special bands that can help with morning sickness or motion sickness.

Should I see a doctor or nurse?

Yes. See your doctor or nurse right away if are vomiting a lot, losing weight, or have signs of dehydration.

How is hyperemesis gravidarum treated?

Treatment depends on how severe your symptoms are. If you are dehydrated or have lost a lot of weight, you will probably need to be treated in the hospital with:

● Fluids that go into your vein through a tube called an "IV"

● Medicines to help stop your nausea and vomiting

If this treatment doesn't work, your doctor can feed you through a tube that goes in your nose and down into your stomach or through a vein.

Can hyperemesis gravidarum be prevented?

Doctors strongly recommend that anyone who might get pregnant or who is pregnant take a multivitamin. The multivitamin should contain at least 400 micrograms of folic acid. Taking a multivitamin before pregnancy and in early pregnancy might help prevent nausea and vomiting.

Will my baby be healthy?

Babies born to people with hyperemesis gravidarum for the entire pregnancy are a little more likely to be smaller than average. But otherwise, the condition doesn't seem to cause problems for your baby. Taking medicines for nausea and vomiting during the pregnancy should not affect
your baby either.

More on this topic

Patient education: Morning sickness (The Basics)

Patient education: Nutrition before and during pregnancy (The Basics)

Patient education: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (Beyond the Basics)

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete.

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Apr 27, 2024.

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