Update, September 2017
What is it with the Royal family and Spring baby announcements?
It's been exactly 3 years and a few days since Will and Kate announced they would be expecting their second child, the now two-year-old Princess Charlotte.
- Also read: What to expect: The first trimester
Today via the Royal Family Facebook page, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge revealed baby no. 3 is on the way.
HG is much more serious than ordinary morning sickness, but, fortunately, it is relatively rare. Morning sickness is commonly experienced by pregnant women, resulting in the urge to vomit upon waking. It may also occur in the afternoon, or in response to certain smells, tastes or even sounds. It is often limited to the first trimester of pregnancy. HG is an extreme version of morning sickness which is treated as a medical emergency, possibly requiring hospitalisation.
When the expectant mother is vomiting more than five times per day, and the nausea continues throughout the pregnancy, then the condition is termed hyperemesis gravidarum, and it could have potentially serious complications for both mom and the developing baby.
- Also read: Your morning sickness survival guide
Women suffering from HG may suffer from dehydration and weight loss, despite efforts to eat. Should a woman fail to gain more than 7kg during pregnancy as a result of HG, it is probable that her baby will be underdeveloped, and also that the infant will be born before 37 weeks. Sufferers may also experience diminished sleep and depression. In severe cases, renal failure and other extreme reactions may occur. Fortunately, since the invention of IV hydration, there have been fewer maternal deaths as a result of HG.
HG sufferers sometimes respond to adjustments in diet, but it may also be necessary for them to undergo IV hydration and take anti-nausea medication. Nutritional supplements may be monitored and supplemented, including vitamins and minerals, in order to avoid deficiencies as a result of vomiting.
- Also read: "Hyperemesis gravidarum landed me in ICU"
On TV and in movies, a morning puke is the very unsubtle indication that the character is pregnant. Although vomiting during pregnancy is common, should you suspect that your nausea is becoming unmanageable or that you are losing weight rather than gaining, ask your doctor for advice.
If you’re able to stay at home, investigate ways of changing your diet, and consider involving your partner more in cooking (if you are usually the household cook!).
Read more:
- Much more than morning sickness
- Severe morning sickness runs in families
- Sick and tired? Power through the first trimester
- Start your pregnancy right: A guide to the first 3 months
Have you ever experienced nausea during pregnancy? How did you treat it? Send your letters to chatback@parent.com and we could publish them.
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