By | Michael Nageotte, M.D., associate chief medical officer, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach
The majority of pregnant women suffer from some type of morning sickness, but nearly five of every 1,000 women develop severe nausea and vomiting. Also known as hyperemesis gravidarum, severe morning sickness can cause such extreme weight loss and dehydration that the health of the mother and the baby are jeopardized.
Morning sickness usually begins around the sixth week of pregnancy, but disappears around weeks 16 to 18. While some morning sickness is considered normal, intense vomiting and nausea are not.
Signs of hyperemesis include:
- Nausea with severe vomiting
- Consistent nausea that makes it impossible to eat or drink
- Dehydration from vomiting
- Inability to keep any food down
- Weight loss
- Fainting or dizziness
- Decrease in urination
- Recurrent headaches
- Extreme fatigue
Risk factors for hyperemesis are carrying multiples, a history of motion sickness and migraines with nausea/vomiting. The intense vomiting results in a loss of nutrition for mom and baby and can be very harmful.
At Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach, the high-risk pregnancy care team works with women suffering from hyperemesis to provide an individualized treatment plan. Most patients feel better within hours of receiving therapy, stop vomiting after one day and are back home from the hospital after a second day. If you are pregnant and suffering from severe morning sickness, don’t ignore it. Call your doctor immediately to determine the next steps to take to keep you and your baby healthy and receiving the necessary nutrients.