Skip to content
HER Foundation
  • Mother’s Area
  • Family & Friends
  • Healthcare Providers
  • Volunteers
  • Donate
FacebookTwitterSnapchatLinkedinPinterestYoutubeInstagram
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter Signup
HER Foundation
  • Mother’s Area
  • Family & Friends
  • Healthcare Providers
  • Volunteers
  • Donate
  • Donate
  • Get Help Now
    • Immediate Help
    • Support Groups
    • Professional Referral Network
      • Find a Health Professional
      • Sign up for Referral Network
      • Update Referral Listing
    • Volunteer Network
      • Find a Volunteer
      • Sign up to Volunteer
      • Update Volunteer Information
    • Get Involved
    • Support Forum
  • About HG
    • About Hyperemesis
    • Do I Have Morning Sickness or HG?
    • Complications
      • Possible Complications
      • Malnutrition & Dehydration
      • Neurological Complications
      • Gastrointestinal Complications
    • Assess & Diagnose
    • Causes
    • Treatments
      • Common Treatments
      • Medications
      • Medication Strategies
      • Medication FAQs
      • Ondansetron (Zofran) Fetal Safety
      • Ondansetron (Zofran) Maternal Safety
      • Parenteral (Intravenous) Nutritional Therapy
      • Enteral (NG/PEG) Nutrition
      • Complementary Therapies
      • Bed Rest
    • Postpartum Recovery
      • Recovering from HG
      • Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)
      • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Clinical Tools
    • HG Tools
    • HG Care App
    • HG Treatment Algorithm
    • HELP Score
    • HG Treatment Protocol
    • Weight Loss Calculator
  • Mother’s Area
  • Family & Friends
  • Volunteers
  • Healthcare Providers
  • Blog
    • Blog Posts
    • HER HG Stories
    • News
  • Store
  • Research
    • Our Collaborative Research
    • Current Research Opportunities
    • Genetics FAQ
  • Our Foundation
    • About HER
    • HER #HGVision
    • Support HER
    • Media Center
      • Press Info
      • HER Media Stories
      • Press Releases
    • Founders & Board of Directors
    • Mission and Goals
    • History
    • Global HG Documentary
    • LED Crisis Fund
June 27, 2020

Is an HG Pregnancy High Risk?

Doctors are often asked if an HG pregnancy is “high risk.” It is important to understand that there is no standard definition of what high risk means. It is also clear that a person who has hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) does not have a normal pregnancy. There are a few things that people might mean when they say “high risk.”

sick mother in bed
  1. Is there a chance of short term, or long term, health risks to the pregnant woman and/or her baby?

With hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), the answer to this is yes. Risks to the mom are numerous and include: dehydration, malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, renal failure, deconditioning, postpartum depression, and even death. Risks to the baby include miscarriage, neurodevelopmental issues, and even metabolic issues in adulthood. Appropriate treatment is needed to prevent these complications.

  1. Do I need to see a specialist because I have hyperemesis gravidarum (HG)?

The answer to this one is maybe. The best doctor for someone with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is one that will listen, believe you, and keep working with you to find a treatment that works. Sometimes this is a midwife or family doctor, and sometimes this is an obstetrician, perinatologist, or maternal fetal specialist.

  1. Does hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) put me at risk for other pregnancy complications?

The answer to this one is yes. Hyperemesis gravidarum has been shown to increase the risk of preeclampsia, stillbirth, and preterm delivery, especially in the most severe cases. The risk of getting these complications is low, but your obstetrical provider should be monitoring closely for these, even if your symptoms have resolved or are controlled by medication.

  1. Do I need to deliver in a special setting (hospital vs birth center/home birth)?

This one is more complicated. For many women with hyperemesis gravidarum, symptoms will be well controlled or resolved by the time they deliver, and they may have more choices for their birthing setting. It is important to remember that nausea and vomiting often return during labor, and good hydration will help progress in labor. You may be at a higher risk of complications in labor. It is important that you discuss this with your doctor or midwife and that they are aware that you had HG during your pregnancy if they have not been with you the entire time.

  1. Will I need a c-section?

There is no reason that you would need a c-section solely due to hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Even women who are very sick until the end of pregnancy are able to have vaginal deliveries. Most c-sections are due to reasons that develop during labor, so there is always a chance that one might be recommended.

Finally, whether your healthcare provider considers your pregnancy high risk or not, you need proactive, effective HG treatment to control symptoms, as well as nutrients (thiamin), social support, and careful monitoring for other complications. An HG pregnancy  may not look anything like you imagined, which is difficult emotionally, but you are not alone. The HER Foundation is here to support you until you have your baby in your arms and long after.

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.
Posted in HG Awareness, What is HG
Share this

Recent Posts

  • Dr. Fejzo Makes the Cover of The New York Times
  • 2023 HG Challenge
  • Hannah’s #HGreality
  • Highlights of SMFM 2023
  • Heart Health and Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Categories

  • 1 Mom 2 Many
  • 1 Mom Blog
  • Books
  • Events
  • Fundraising
  • General
  • HERstory
  • HG Awareness
  • HG Awareness Items
  • HG Management
  • Mom Stories
  • Networking
  • New Products
  • News
  • Partners
  • Press Releases
  • Recommended Books
  • Research
  • Resources
  • Store
  • T-shirts
  • Uncategorized
  • What is HG
iGive.com

In Memoriam


To honor your loved one, please enter their name(s) here.

Take a Poll

Get Involved

Let’s make HG history! Be part of the progress by supporting the HER Foundation and helping us raise the voice of mothers around the world! Together, we can give mothers and babies a healthier future.

Donate
Newsletter Signup
HER_foundation_white

info@hyperemesis.org

+1 888-264-2914

Who We Help

  • Mother’s Area
  • Family & Friends
  • Healthcare Providers
  • Volunteers
  • Donate

Navigate

  • Home
  • About HG
  • Our Foundation
  • Research
  • Blog
  • Store
  • Sitemap

Translate

HER Foundation • Privacy Policy • Disclaimer

Website by Yoko Co

feedback_caps.png

Donate to sustain HER’s important work helping mothers and babies survive HG!

 

Donate

Scroll To Top
© HER Foundation 2022. No part of the materials available through the hyperemesis.org site may be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form, in whole or in part, without prior written consent of the HER Foundation. Any other reproduction in any form without the permission of the HER Foundation is prohibited. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of the HER Foundation.