Hyperemesis is a severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy that is diagnosed when a mother experiences rapid weight loss, dehydration, and malnutrition. The Hyperemesis Education & Research (HER) Foundation has declared May 15th to be the first annual Hyperemesis Day.
Over 285,000 hospitalizations occur every year due to hyperemesis, that's about 0.5-2% of the pregnant women will be affected. We don't know what causes or why it happens. Though there is some evidence to say that once you've had hyperemesis you have about a 50% chance of hyperemesis happening again in a future pregnancy.
Have you experienced hyperemesis or know someone who has experienced it?
Related:
- Hyperemesis - Severe Morning Sickness
- Morning Sickness Products
- 5 Ways Your Partner Can Help When You're Sick & Pregnant
- The Science and Reality Behind Severe Morning Sickness
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My doctor said I was experiencing hyperemesis when I was pregnant with my first child and he wasn’t able to explain what triggered it very well. During the denial stage of my pregnancy, I remember telling myself it was because I never ate on time which was why I constantly got nauseous.