Skip to main content

Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

What is hyperemesis gravidarum? — Hyperemesis gravidarum is a condition that causes frequent vomiting (throwing up) during pregnancy. It is like morning sickness, except the symptoms are much more severe.
Morning sickness is the nausea and vomiting that many people have during pregnancy. Even though it is called "morning" sickness, it can happen any time of day.
What are the symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum? — People with hyperemesis gravidarum vomit every day, often many times a day. They can lose weight and get dehydrated because they are vomiting so much.
Symptoms of dehydration include:
Urinating less often than usual
Having dark yellow urine
Feeling dizzy when standing up
Weight loss
Symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum usually start during the first 2 to 3 months of pregnancy. Most people feel better by the middle of their pregnancy. But some feel sick until late in the pregnancy.
How can I find out if I have hyperemesis gravidarum? — Your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have hyperemesis gravidarum by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam.
Are there tests I should have? — Maybe. Your doctor or nurse might do tests to see if the vomiting is hurting your body and to make sure another condition isn't causing your symptoms. These tests can include:
Blood tests
Urine tests
An ultrasound to check your baby
Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better? — Yes. To feel better, you can try the following:
Eat as soon as you feel hungry, or even before you feel hungry.
Snack often and eat small meals. The best foods to eat are high in protein or carbohydrates, and low in fat. These include crackers, bread, pretzels, nuts, and low-fat yogurt.
Avoid foods that are spicy, greasy, or acidic (such as oranges).
Drink cold, clear beverages, such as sports drinks and ginger ale. Avoid coffee. Also, try to drink between meals, rather than with a meal.
Suck on popsicles or ginger-flavored lollipops.
Brush your teeth right after you eat.
Avoid lying down right after you eat.
Take your vitamins at bedtime with a snack, not in the morning
Avoid things in your environment that upset your stomach, such as stuffy rooms, strong smells, hot places, or loud noises.
Have someone make your meals for you.
Wear "acupressure" bands on your wrists. These are special bands that can help with morning or motion sickness.
Should I see a doctor or nurse? — See your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of the symptoms listed above.
How is hyperemesis gravidarum treated? — Treatment depends on how severe your symptoms are. If you are dehydrated or have lost a lot of weight, you will probably need to be treated in the hospital with:
Fluids that go into your vein through a tube called an "IV"
Medicines to help stop your nausea and vomiting
If this treatment doesn't work, your doctor can feed you through a tube that goes in your nose and down into your stomach or through a vein.
Can hyperemesis gravidarum be prevented? — Doctors strongly recommend that anyone who might get pregnant or who is pregnant take vitamins. The vitamin should contain at least 400 micrograms of folic acid. Taking vitamins before pregnancy and in early pregnancy might help prevent nausea and vomiting.
Will my baby be healthy? — Babies born to people with hyperemesis gravidarum for the entire pregnancy are a little more likely to be smaller than average. But otherwise, the condition doesn't seem to cause problems. Taking medicines for nausea and vomiting during the pregnancy should not affect the baby either.
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete.
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Mar 30, 2020.
Topic 16988 Version 5.0
Release: 28.2.2 - C28.105
© 2020 UpToDate, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

Name

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Body systems

Gastrointestinal,Reproductive

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate
What is hyperemesis gravidarum? — Hyperemesis gravidarum is a condition that causes frequent vomiting (throwing up) during pregnancy. It is like morning sickness, except the symptoms are much more severe.
Morning sickness is the nausea and vomiting that many people have during pregnancy. Even though it is called "morning" sickness, it can happen any time of day.
What are the symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum? — People with hyperemesis gravidarum vomit every day, often many times a day. They can lose weight and get dehydrated because they are vomiting so much.
Symptoms of dehydration include:
Urinating less often than usual
Having dark yellow urine
Feeling dizzy when standing up
Weight loss
Symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum usually start during the first 2 to 3 months of pregnancy. Most people feel better by the middle of their pregnancy. But some feel sick until late in the pregnancy.
How can I find out if I have hyperemesis gravidarum? — Your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have hyperemesis gravidarum by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam.
Are there tests I should have? — Maybe. Your doctor or nurse might do tests to see if the vomiting is hurting your body and to make sure another condition isn't causing your symptoms. These tests can include:
Blood tests
Urine tests
An ultrasound to check your baby
Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better? — Yes. To feel better, you can try the following:
Eat as soon as you feel hungry, or even before you feel hungry.
Snack often and eat small meals. The best foods to eat are high in protein or carbohydrates, and low in fat. These include crackers, bread, pretzels, nuts, and low-fat yogurt.
Avoid foods that are spicy, greasy, or acidic (such as oranges).
Drink cold, clear beverages, such as sports drinks and ginger ale. Avoid coffee. Also, try to drink between meals, rather than with a meal.
Suck on popsicles or ginger-flavored lollipops.
Brush your teeth right after you eat.
Avoid lying down right after you eat.
Take your vitamins at bedtime with a snack, not in the morning
Avoid things in your environment that upset your stomach, such as stuffy rooms, strong smells, hot places, or loud noises.
Have someone make your meals for you.
Wear "acupressure" bands on your wrists. These are special bands that can help with morning or motion sickness.
Should I see a doctor or nurse? — See your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of the symptoms listed above.
How is hyperemesis gravidarum treated? — Treatment depends on how severe your symptoms are. If you are dehydrated or have lost a lot of weight, you will probably need to be treated in the hospital with:
Fluids that go into your vein through a tube called an "IV"
Medicines to help stop your nausea and vomiting
If this treatment doesn't work, your doctor can feed you through a tube that goes in your nose and down into your stomach or through a vein.
Can hyperemesis gravidarum be prevented? — Doctors strongly recommend that anyone who might get pregnant or who is pregnant take vitamins. The vitamin should contain at least 400 micrograms of folic acid. Taking vitamins before pregnancy and in early pregnancy might help prevent nausea and vomiting.
Will my baby be healthy? — Babies born to people with hyperemesis gravidarum for the entire pregnancy are a little more likely to be smaller than average. But otherwise, the condition doesn't seem to cause problems. Taking medicines for nausea and vomiting during the pregnancy should not affect the baby either.
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete.
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Mar 30, 2020.
Topic 16988 Version 5.0
Release: 28.2.2 - C28.105
© 2020 UpToDate, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

What are other common names?

All Day Pregnancy Sickness,Complications of Hyperemesis Gravidarum,Cures for Morning Sickness,Excessive Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy,Feeling Sick to Your Stomach,Gravidarum,HG,Hyperemesis of Pregnancy,Morning Sickness,Morning Sickness Symptoms,Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy,Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy,NVP,Persistent Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy,Persistent Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy,Persistent Vomiting of Pregnancy,Pregnancy With Nausea and Vomiting,Severe Morning Sickness,Severe Vomiting of Pregnancy,Upset Belly,Upset Stomach,Upset Stomach and Throwing Up

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. ©2020 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved.

Copyright

© 2020 UpToDate, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.