Hyperemesis Gravidarum: When Morning Sickness Becomes Something More

Pregnancy is often portrayed as a joyful time filled with glowing skin, baby kicks, and cravings for pickles and ice cream. But for some, the reality looks very different. For those affected by Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), pregnancy can feel like a daily struggle.

If you’ve been told “it’s just morning sickness” but you can’t keep water down, are losing weight, or feel overwhelmed by constant nausea, you are not alone and what you’re experiencing is not normal morning sickness.

What Is Hyperemesis Gravidarum?

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a severe and potentially dangerous form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Unlike typical morning sickness, HG can lead to serious complications if left untreated.

It may cause:

• Dehydration

• Electrolyte imbalances

• Weight loss of more than five percent of your pre-pregnancy body weight

• Nutritional deficiencies

• Frequent or extended hospital stays

These symptoms can begin in early pregnancy and, for some, last throughout the entire nine months.

How Is HG Different from Morning Sickness?

Here’s a comparison to help illustrate the difference:

If you suspect you have HG, trust your instincts. You know your body best. Seek help, ask questions, and don’t allow your experience to be dismissed.

What Can Help You Cope?

There’s no easy cure for HG, but there are ways to ease the burden and protect your mental and physical well-being.

Get Medical Treatment Early

If you cannot keep fluids down, do not wait. Dehydration and malnutrition can escalate quickly. Speak to your healthcare provider about medications such as ondansetron, metoclopramide, or promethazine. Some people also benefit from B6 and doxylamine. You may need IV fluids or, in extreme cases, feeding support.

Don’t Minimize Your Experience

People may say “every pregnancy is hard” or “at least you’re having a baby,” but HG is in a different category altogether. It’s okay if this experience feels traumatic. You are not being dramatic, you’re sick, and you deserve care and compassion.

Redefine What Productivity Means

You don’t have to push through or pretend to be okay. Your only job right now is to survive this phase. Let go of expectations about what pregnancy is supposed to look like. If the day ends and you’re still here, that’s an accomplishment.

Care for Your Mental Health

HG doesn’t just affect your body. It can take a major toll on your mental health.

• Talk to a therapist
  Find someone experienced with chronic illness or perinatal mental health. Your emotional well-being is just as important as your physical health.

• Join a support group
  Connecting with others who truly understand can be a lifeline. Online communities offer a safe space to vent, ask questions, and feel seen.

• Practice gentle coping tools
  Deep breathing, distraction techniques, or listening to calming audio can help you get through the hardest moments. These are not cures, but they can be comforts.

• Ask for practical help
  Let friends or family help with meals, childcare, errands, or even advocating for you at medical appointments. You don’t have to do everything yourself.

Allow Space for Recovery

If your symptoms ease later in pregnancy, you may feel pressure to catch up on everything you missed. Go slowly. Recovery isn’t just physical, it’s emotional too. Some people experience post-HG depression or anxiety. Processing what you’ve been through may take time.

You Are Not Alone

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is real. It’s not your fault. And it doesn’t make you weak.

If you’re living through HG, please know that your strength is not measured in positivity or productivity. It’s in your endurance. It’s in the moments you keep going when everything in your body tells you to give up. It’s in your honesty, your resilience, and your right to be cared for.

You are not just surviving. You are doing something incredibly hard, and you are doing it with courage.