More Than Morning Sickness

About half of all pregnant women experience morning sickness. For the vast majority of women, morning sickness isn't a serious condition, and it doesn't pose risk to their babies. However, a severe and serious form of pregnancy sickness, known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum, can pose health risks to both mother and baby.

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is frequently described as consistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that prevents the woman from eating food and drinking fluids. This severe nausea and violent vomiting prevent the body from retaining and utilizing food and fluid. Some common concerns associated with untreated hyperemesis include:

• rapid loss of weight (sometimes more than 10% of pre-pregnancy weight)
• dehydration
• critical nutrient deficiencies in early pregnancy
• metabolic imbalances, including ketosis
• inability to participate in previous levels of activity, including daily living

How Do I know if I have typical morning sickness or hyperemesis gravidarum?

BabyFit Member, DeCole, experienced this condition during her second pregnancy.  "I was losing weight at a rapid pace and not enjoying any part of life," DeCole recounts. "I was not able to keep down water, ice chips, or anything they recommend to ease morning sickness. My job was suffering, my family was suffering, and no one knew what to do to help me." DeCole informed her doctor of her "severe morning sickness" during a routine checkup.

About The Author

Tanya Jolliffe Tanya earned a bachelor's degree in dietetics and nutrition and has more than 15 years of nutrition counseling experience. She has worked with clients in such areas as prenatal nutrition, general family nutrition and therapeutic nutrition in end-stage organ disease.