Is your pregnancy nausea extreme? 7 signs of hyperemesis

Pregnancy nausea is common, affecting around 8 out of 10 pregnant women to some degree. However, for about 1 in 100, it develops into hyperemesis gravidarum, an extreme variant that can affect your entire daily life.

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7 Signs of Hyperemesis Gravidarum

If you recognise several of these symptoms, you may have hyperemesis:

• Severe vomiting and difficulty keeping food and drink down.
• Nausea around the clock.
• Inability to cope with daily activities.
• Weight loss during pregnancy.
• Decreased urine output and darker urine.
• Dizziness or fainting.
• Feeling depressed, anxious, or extremely tired.

Hyperemesis gravidarum is often described as an "endless winter stomach bug" and can be both physically and mentally exhausting. Symptoms usually begin between weeks 4 and 7 of pregnancy, peak around week 9, and decrease for most between weeks 16 and 20. However, for about 1 in 10, the extreme nausea persists longer.

Seek Help Early

Suspect you have hyperemesis? Contact your doctor or midwife for a proper diagnosis and treatment. In severe cases, sick leave and regular doctor visits may be required, and in some cases, hospital treatment with an IV may be necessary to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

What Helps with Hyperemesis Gravidarum?

Traditional pregnancy nausea remedies, like motion sickness tablets, dry crackers, or lemon, are often insufficient for hyperemesis. If nothing helps, and others don’t understand how poorly you feel, it can be helpful to talk to someone.

Seek support in online forums and groups where others with hyperemesis share their experiences. You can also receive professional counselling through your midwife or doctor.