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Most women experience some nausea and vomiting early on Pregnant.
Although this is called morning sicknessit can happen at any time of the day. Up to 80% of women report nausea and vomiting throughout the day.
Although morning sickness is unpleasant and can be incapacitating, milder morning sickness is usually manageable and usually gets better after the first trimester of pregnancy.
But about one in five pregnant women (1-3% worldwide) experience morning sickness so severe that they are unable to eat normally or carry out daily activities.
This situation is called hyperemesis gravidarumcan last throughout pregnancy and are dangerous to both women and fetuses. This is the most common reason for hospitalization in early pregnancy, but research is still emerging on why it occurs.
Here’s what we know, don’t know and suspect.
What causes hyperemesis gravidarum?
Until about five years ago, scientists thought the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), was the culprit. But we now know that the main cause of all morning sickness, including hyperemesis gravidarum, is high levels of a hormone called GDF15.
A person’s sensitivity to GDF15 depends on the amount of this hormone their body produced before pregnancy.
Women with naturally lower levels before pregnancy are more sensitive to the GDF15 produced by the placenta during pregnancy than women with higher levels before pregnancy. This means that low pre-pregnancy GDF15 levels are a risk factor for hyperemesis gravidarum.
However, while there is a blood test that can measure GDF15 levels, it is not currently available for diagnosing hyperemesis gravidarum.
The test can be used to investigate some medical conditions associated with high GDF15, including some cancers and some chronic diseases. But high GDF15 levels alone are not enough to differentiate between hyperemesis gravidarum and other causes of vomiting during pregnancy.
Some other factors that increase the risk of hyperemesis gravidarum include:
- This has happened before Pregnant
- Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets or more)
- first pregnancy
- family history hyperemesis gravidarum
- Have a history of motion sickness or migraines.
What are the symptoms?
Women with hyperemesis gravidarum are unable to stop vomiting and experience significant weight loss (more than 5% of their pre-pregnancy weight). Because they cannot control their food or fluid intake, they may become severely dehydrated.
Signs of dehydration include ketonuria (high amounts of acid in the urine, as measured by a urine test), very low blood pressure (may cause dizziness) and electrolyte imbalance. Electrolytes are essential for a variety of body processes, including nerve and muscle function, and maintaining hydration.
Because the symptoms are so severe, women often need to be hospitalized for a period of time, sometimes repeatedly throughout the pregnancy. Many people may have first heard of this condition through Catherine, Princess of Wales. She made headlines for sharing her experience with hyperemesis gravidarum and the need for frequent medical attention.
How to treat?
There is no cure for hyperemesis gravidarum, so treatment focuses on reducing symptoms.
Rehydration
Intravenous fluids can be used to rehydrate and restore electrolyte balance.
Reduce vomiting
While research is inconclusive on the best ways to reduce vomiting, there are several anti-nausea medications that are safe to take during pregnancy. Taking ginger supplements is another safe and effective way to reduce nausea and vomiting.
Nutrition
A nutritionist can help by monitoring any nutritional deficiencies and recommending certain foods or nutritional supplements. However, in very severe cases, if someone’s vomiting does not respond to treatment and cannot be controlled, they may need tube feeding or an intravenous drip to provide all nutrients.
mental health
The physical symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum are debilitating, and women who experience them are at increased risk for anxiety and depression. Therefore, it is also important to monitor mental health conditions and provide referrals for psychological support when needed.
ongoing effects on health
Hyperemesis gravidarum is detrimental to the health of both mother and fetus.
Because women with this condition cannot eat or drink during pregnancy, they do not get enough fluids, calories, or nutrients, including vitamins. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies that can harm their health.
About the author
Karin Hammarberg is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow in Global and Women’s Health at the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University.
This article is reproduced from dialogue Licensed under Creative Commons. read Original article.
It also increases the risk of serious pregnancy complications, including placental abruption (where the placenta suddenly separates from the uterine wall) and preeclampsia (which causes high blood pressure and can affect the liver, kidneys, and brain).
Hyperemesis gravidarum also increases the baby’s risk of being born prematurely, having a low birth weight, and/or being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.
Hope prevention
The finding that low pre-pregnancy GDF15 levels are associated with hyperemesis gravidarum may help us find new ways to treat and prevent hyperemesis gravidarum.
For example, researchers are studying whether blocking GDF15’s role during pregnancy could reduce nausea. Theories on how to prevent this condition focus on raising GDF15 levels before pregnancy.
These advances offer hope for the future. But for now, the best we can do is raise awareness and understanding of this debilitating disease, including among health professionals, and provide support for women living with it.
The Australian Center of Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Perinatal Excellence (COPE) website is a great place to start learning more about hyperemesis gravidarum and how to support women experiencing hyperemesis gravidarum.
