The Duchess of Cambridge is one of several expectant mothers suffering from HG.
Yahoo image.
The recent hospitalization of the Duchess of Cambridge for a severe case of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) has put this pregnancy condition into the limelight, but it’s been around for quite a long time.
Approximately 3% of pregnant women suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum and 10-20% of this 3% will endure it for the duration of their 40 week pregnancy. However, most women will only experience it during the first trimester between week 4 and week 16 of pregnancy. HG, like any pregnancy symptom, is the result of your crazy, yet essential pregnancy hormones.
Hyperemesis gravidarum is the HD version of morning sickness, because it is characterized by frequent and severe nausea and vomiting that can make swallowing even your own saliva difficult. On top of that, normal morning sickness remedies do not minimise the effects of HG.
Fortunately, neither hyperemesis gravidarum nor the medicines used to treat it are harmful to your baby’s health. In fact, Dr. Manny Alvarez from the Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey has recently said that HG is a sign of a strong and healthy pregnancy. However, if left untreated it can lead to severe dehydration and malnutrition which are both dangerous for you and your baby’s health. Signs of dehydration or a 5% drop in your pre-pregnancy weight are the two most common ways of diagnosing HG and one of these would have been why the Duchess of Cambridge was hospitalized.
The normal treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum includes a short hospital stay, during which the expectant mother will be on a drip to hydrate her and replace any nutrients she may have lost. She will then be sent home with anti-sickness medications and will be expected to rest until the HG eases.
Some mothers-to-be can become exhausted, depressed and unhappy with their pregnancy, because hyperemesis gravidarum prevents you from completing daily activities and can be quite frustrating as it forces you to be cooped up at home for quite a long time. If your suffering from these side effects of hyperemesis gravidarum you can either talk to your family and friends for support or visit https://www.facebook.com/LivingWithHyperemesis where expectant mothers are encouraged to discuss their HG experiences with each other in attempt to help each other through this challenging pregnancy condition.