Amy Schumer revealed this week that she is suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and has been hospitalized from its side effects. The comedian, who is pregnant with her first child, posted a photo of herself in a hospital bed on Instagram.
She's laying down with her eyes closed clearly feeling ill explaining why she had to cancel a few shows in Texas. The caption partly reads, "I’m fine. Baby’s fine but everyone who says the 2nd trimester is better is not telling the full story. I’ve been even more ill this trimester. I have hyperemesis and it blows."
She goes on to acknowledge how "lucky" she is to be pregnant despite these issues. Schumer announced her pregnancy last month. She married her husband Chris Fischer eight months ago.
The HuffPost reported on Schumer's hospitalization for this brutal pregnancy side effect. Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is often wrongly described as really bad morning sickness. Morning sickness is occasional vomiting and nausea in pregnancy that doesn't cause extreme dehydration.
It can occur any time a day, multiple times a day, and usually goes away around the 12th week of pregnancy. It's estimated that about 80% of women experience some form of morning sickness but are still able to carry on and function with their lives.
In cases of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), expectant mothers have no relief from nausea or vomiting. The symptoms don't subside and most women cannot eat due to constant nausea. This often causes severe dehydration requiring hospitalization and an IV for the mother or even a feeding tube for nutrients. Other symptoms can include fainting, weight loss, and depression. Carrying on daily activities can also be impossible.
Laying in bed and sipping on fluids is often the only thing a woman can do, making HG truly debilitating condition. It really is miserable living in a constant state of nausea for months. HG symptoms will sometimes, lighten by the 20th week of pregnancy but a small number of women won't have any relief until they give birth.
Less than 3% of pregnant woman endure HG making it rare but not so rare it never happens. Schumer's post was met with multiple women sharing their own experiences with HG and how much it really does suck while sending the sympathies and words of encouragement.
Schumer isn't the only public figure who has had to deal with HG. The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton suffered from HG throughout all three of her pregnancies and was hospitalized each time. Her hospitalizations brought a lot of recognition to it and the seriousness of it all.
Thankfully, it is very easily treated. Hyperemesis gravidarum is the pregnancy symptom no one wants but that isn't up to us. If left untreated the levels of dehydration reached can lead to preterm or underweight babies, and can even be fatal.