COMPLICATIONS: HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe and persistent form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. While it is not uncommon for pregnant individuals to experience some degree of morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum is characterized by more severe symptoms that can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and nutritional deficiencies.
Key Points about Hyperemesis Gravidarum:
Severity of Symptoms: Hyperemesis gravidarum involves extreme nausea and vomiting that can be debilitating. It goes beyond typical morning sickness, and the symptoms are often severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Duration: Unlike typical morning sickness, which tends to improve as pregnancy progresses, hyperemesis gravidarum may persist throughout the entire pregnancy.
Symptoms: Severe vomiting can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and significant weight loss.
Nutritional Deficiencies: Prolonged vomiting can result in nutritional deficiencies, including electrolyte imbalances and deficiencies in vitamins and minerals. This can impact both the birthing person and fetus.
Risk Factors: While the exact cause is not fully understood, hyperemesis gravidarum is believed to be influenced by factors such as hormonal changes (particularly elevated levels of human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG), genetics, and a history of motion sickness.
Management and Treatment: Treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms, preventing dehydration, and addressing nutritional deficiencies. This may involve hospitalization for intravenous (IV) fluids and medications to control nausea.
Impact on Pregnancy: With appropriate medical care, the majority of pregnancies affected by hyperemesis gravidarum do not pose long-term harm to the mother or the baby. However, it is crucial to manage symptoms to ensure the health of both.
Sources:
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2015). "ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 153: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy." source
Fejzo, M. S., & MacGibbon, K. W. (2018). "Hyperemesis gravidarum: It is time to put an end to the misguided theory of a psychiatric etiology." In J. Fejzo (Ed.), Hyperemesis Gravidarum (pp. 3-20). Springer. source
American Pregnancy Association. (2021). "Hyperemesis Gravidarum." source
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