Morning Sickness vs Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Watching an item on the news a couple of weeks ago about HG (this was about research and they mentioned that the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton also had severe vomiting in 2 of her pregnancies) and recently pampered two pregnant mums who experienced hyperemesis gravidarum, I wanted to have some more information about this condition. The chance you get to treat 2 pregnant mums with HG is rare (1 percent in pregnant woman) and from my training as a Nurturelife Practitioner I knew that Hyperemesis Gravidarum has to be seen as a high risk during pregnancy (increase the risk of preeclampsia, stillbirth, and preterm delivery, especially in the most severe cases) but you can massage and it might calm the nervous system.

What is Hyperemesis Gravidarum?

Many women experience morning sickness during pregnancy, this occurs due to the changes in hormone levels. So did I, at both pregnancies I felt nausea in the first trimester, not only in the morning though, especially preparing dinner (maybe that’s why they want to change the term ‘Morning Sickness’ in ‘Nausea during pregnancy’, I am all for it!)
Nausea during pregnancy is generally harmless, you will get tired, have less appetite and it can be quite uncomfortable, it starts at the beginning of the First Trimester between the 4th and 7th week and resolve by the 16th week.
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) however is an extreme form of nausea during pregnancy that causes persistent nausea and severe vomiting, it starts often after the first 4-6 weeks of pregnancy and could last the whole pregnancy journey.

According to the HER Foundation. HG can be extremely debilitating and cause fatigue that lasts for weeks or months. In research studies with women with HG, women experienced a complete loss of appetite, some were not able to work or perform their normal daily activities. HG can lead to dehydration and poor weight gain during pregnancy. Severe HG requires hospitalisation (0,3% to 2% of pregnancies). There’s no known way to prevent morning sickness or HG, but there are ways to manage the symptoms.

Once you have been diagnosed by your doctor, he may recommend to use natural nausea prevention methods (like Ginger and Peppermint, Ginger tea was my favourite to drink), a short period of not eating by mouth to rest the gastrointestinal system, intravenous (IV) fluids or vitamin B6 and nutritional supplements. If necessary, you might also receive medicine to stop the vomiting, either by mouth or through an IV. Some women have to stay in hospital.\

Nausea and Pregnancy Massage

My pregnant clients gave as feedback they experienced that a relaxing pregnancy massage helped to soothe their nausea. A pregnancy massage (gentle, flowing massage) can help to relieve stress as well as calm and assist in regulating the nervous system, this effects the nausea feeling.
Other good news is, once you delivered your baby, your nausea will disappear without a trace.

If you are experience HG symptoms and want to see for yourself how a Nurturelife Pregnancy Massage can soothe you, please contact me or have a look at my website.

Warm regards,
Carola