As if dealing with the first trimester blues weren’t enough, there’s a new report that says mothers who have to deal with severe morning sickness really have it bad. That’s because hyperemesis gravidarum can severely cripple women during their pregnancy while causing persistent vomiting and dehydration.
According to 7News Australia, severe morning sickness affects up to 3.5 percent of pregnant women each year. And while it’s no secret that many women do experience some sort of morning sickness, there is a good number that deal with such extreme cases that it cripples them to the point where they can’t function with their day-to-day lives.
Some celebrity moms who have reportedly had hyperemesis gravidarum in the past include Kate Middleton, singer Kelly Clarkson and Hollywood actress and comedian Amy Schumer.
Dr. Talat Uppal told the channel that while nausea and vomiting are quite common, it’s also a clinical spectrum. She also admits that she experienced the severe condition during all three of her pregnancies in the past.
Dr. Uppal explains that for most women who can’t keep any of their fluids or nutrients down, they can end up profusely dehydrated, which may lead to electrolyte imbalances in their blood. That, or they might lose weight.
She says, “So hyperemesis gravidarum is an extreme form of the nausea and vomiting. It's certainly more prominent in the first trimester - and most women report that it gets easier through the second and third trimesters.”
What worries many health professionals and mothers-to-be that there is a small number of women – about 10 percent – who suffer severe morning sickness throughout their pregnancies.
What’s more, some certain ethnicities, like women from southeast Asia, are more likely to have it. There’s also a higher chance of morning sickness if you are carrying a baby girl versus a baby boy or if you are having twins.
Luckily, there are several different ways that pregnant mothers can help manage their nausea. First and foremost, health experts suggest that you get as much rest as possible. Also, eating things like dry crackers in the morning or eating frequent, small meals rather than bigger meals throughout the day helps, along with increasing your daily fluid intake. Some natural measures like taking ginger or trying acupressure can help, too.