Princess Kate & Hyperemesis gravidarum

I was surprised this morning when I turned on the news. Princess Kate Middleton is suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, a very severe form of morning sickness. I thought I would take this opportunity to talk about hyperemesis a bit.

Morning sickness usually begins right around 6 weeks. It is characterized by a feeling of nausea, vomiting, and a strong sensitivity to smell. It typically lasts from about 6 weeks to 12-16 weeks, however sometimes morning sickness can last through the entire pregnancy, or stop and return in the last trimester.

HG is the more severe form that Kate Middleton has. Women with HG often need to be hospitalized due to malnutrition and dehydration due to excessive, almost continuous bouts of vomiting where very little, if anything can be kept down.  They will receive IV fluids, nutritional support and medications.

Always call your doctor/ob/midwife if you think you may have hypemesis gravidarum. 

Please read the wikipedia page for more detailed information on hyperemesis gravidarum:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperemesis_gravidarum

For online support please visit Help Her:
http://www.helpher.org/ 

If you just need someone to vent to, please feel free to call us here at Main Line Doulas and we'd love to be an ear to listen: 1-855-MY-DOULA