Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is defined as a potentially life-threatening pregnancy disease that may cause weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration, and debility due to severe nausea and/or vomiting, and may cause long-term health issues for mother and baby(ies).
- If she cannot keep more than a few bites of food or a few sips of water down for 24 hours or more, or loses 2 or more pounds (0.9 kg) in one week, vomits blood, faints, or generally feels very unwell, call the doctor.
- If she has several of these symptoms and it is after working hours, it may be necessary to go to the ER or an urgent care center.
After vomiting for 2-3 weeks and eating very little, women need IV vitamins including a multivitamin (MVI) and B complex (or at least thiamin). Sometimes this is forgotten, so make sure to ask about it, it is very important! B vitamins are most critical as they are depleted rapidly, especially in the presence of a high carbohydrate (e.g. sugar) diet, and come from foods not often craved during pregnancy.
If a woman has ketones in her urine (the test is positive), fluids with vitamins are usually needed through an intravenous (IV) line at the doctor’s office, ER, hospital, or an urgent care center. Additional nutritional therapy may also be needed if ketones recur. Ketones can be monitored with Ketostix from a local pharmacy with a prescription. These test for starvation, or lack of carbohydrates, but are not reliable to diagnose HG. They are simply an indicator that a woman needs more calories. Ketones may be harmful to the baby if not treated.
***Remember, dehydration, vitamin deficiencies (esp. thiamin/B1), and ketones worsen nausea and vomiting and need to be monitored closely when mothers are very ill.
Call a health professional if any of the following occur:
- Abdominal pain, bleeding, or cramping
- Difficulty thinking or focusing
- Difficulty walking or talking
- Extreme fatigue and very low energy
- Little if any food or fluids stay down for 24+ hours
- Little saliva and a dry mouth
- Moderate or severe headache and/or fever
- Muscular weakness or severe cramping
- Repeated vomiting or retching daily
- Severe nausea prevents eating for 2+ days
- Shortness of breath or dizziness
- Urination is infrequent (≤ 3 times/day) and minimal amount
- Urine is dark yellow and concentrated
- Visual disturbances, BLURRED VISION, or fainting
- Vomit is bright red with blood (or looks like coffee grounds)
- Loss of 2 pounds (0.9 kg) or more in a week
- Her HELP Score is increasing (doctors may not be aware of this new tool)
GET INVOLVED
- Participate in HG research.
- Become an advocate.
- Make a gift to the HER Foundation.
- Share your story and support other HG moms.
- Become a HER Foundation volunteer.
- Blog about HG and show support for HER.
- Share resources with local health professionals and hospitals.
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