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Understanding the Difference: Morning Sickness vs. Hyperemesis Gravidarum

October 17, 2024 | 03:30 pm

If you are pregnant and experiencing vomiting or nausea during the day, you may be suffering from what we call morning sickness. However, what you need to understand is the severity of your condition. The severity of your vomiting during pregnancy is the fine line that defines morning sickness and what we call hyperemesis gravidarium.

It is important to differentiate between the two because although morning sickness is common amongst most pregnant women, hyperemesis gravidarium is more severe and could cause complications in your pregnancy.

So, let’s understand what hyperemesis gravidarium is and what you can do to ease your situation.

What is hyperemesis gravidarium?

As mentioned above, hyperemesis gravidarium is a more severe form of morning sickness. Although the statistics of pregnant women suffering from HG are low, this condition is severe and must be addressed by your ob gyn doctor.

What causes HG?

There is no specific known reason for what causes HG. However, it is believed that a rise in hormone levels could be the cause of hyperemesis gravidarium. Also, HG is more likely to occur in pregnant women who are overweight, or in their first pregnancies, have hereditary conditions of HG, or are pregnant with more than one fetus.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarium

So, what are the symptoms of HG? Many times pregnant women might confuse HG with the usual vomiting during pregnancy or morning sickness. However, there are certain distinct symptoms of HG to watch out for. Let’s look at the symptoms of Hyperemesis gravidarium.

Severe nausea or vomiting during pregnancy

The severe nausea or vomiting experience is a distinguishing characteristic of HG. The symptoms of HG usually appear during 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy and may also peak around the 9th week of pregnancy.

While HG symptoms may reduce during your 15th week of pregnancy, some women may require HG care throughout the pregnancy period.

Typically, pregnant women suffering from hyperemesis gravidarium find it difficult to retain any food and may even vomit more than three to four times a day. The condition is persistent and severe.

Weight loss

Another symptom of hyperemesis gravidarium is extreme weight loss during pregnancy. Women suffering from HG usually lose more than 5% of their pre-pregnancy weight.

It is advisable to visit the best pregnancy hospital near you if you experience extreme weight loss during your pregnancy.

Dehydration

As HG is characterized by severe vomiting you tend to lose more fluids in your body, causing dehydration. Your ob gyn doctor may advise IV fluids if you become dehydrated during pregnancy.

Further, dehydration due to hyperemesis gravidarium causes decreased urination because of the lack of fluids in the body.

Extreme weakness and fatigue

Pregnant women suffering from HG are unable to retain the minimum nutrients because of nausea and severe vomiting. This results in extreme fatigue and weakness, causing other complications like low blood pressure and increased heart rate.

Stress, anxiety and depression

Hyperemesis gravidarium can also be the root cause of depression during pregnancy. Pregnant women, unable to retain food, constantly vomiting, and experiencing extreme fatigue are prone to depression and anxiety.

Treatment for hyperemesis gravidarium

Pregnancy and morning sickness may require little or no intervention at all. However, some cases of hyperemesis gravidarium may require hospital admission. Your obstetrician in Bangalore may recommend one or many of the following treatment plans depending on your condition

  • Changes in lifestyle
  • Bed Rest
  • Medications and supplements
  • IV Fluids
  • Nasogastric tube feeding
  • Percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy (surgical procedure)

Kinder Women’s Hospital and Fertility Centre

At Kinder Women’s Hospital and Fertility Centre, we offer the best healthcare services for pregnant women and children.  We have a team of the best obstetricians in Bangalore providing their expertise in complex pregnancy cases with successful results.

Regarded as the best pregnancy hospital in Bangalore, Kinder Women’s Hospital and Fertility Centre provides state-of-the-art pregnancy care and childbirth services.

As the top pregnancy hospital in Bangalore, we offer comprehensive pregnancy and delivery packages for the benefit of women and children.

Our facilities for childbirth are considered one of the best in Bangalore.

Visit Kinder Women’s Hospital and Fertility Centre for the best pregnancy and childcare services in Bangalore.

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