How many Oregon women reading this either had or expect to have some morning sickness in their first trimester? Most likely, many of them would and did experience it during their first three months of pregnancy, which is not unusual. However, few of them would suffer from morning sickness throughout their pregnanciesto the point where it put them in harm’s way.
A pregnancy-related condition called hyperemesis gravidarum involves future moms who suffer from severe vomiting, nausea, electrolyte imbalance and weight loss throughout their pregnancies. Serious cases often require the mother to be hospitalized in order to receive intravenous fluids and nutrition, along with medications. Even though the percentage of women suffering from this condition tends to drop as the pregnancy progresses, some women must contend with it the entire time.
The dangers of this condition include dehydration and insufficient nutrition for the mother and the baby. Mothers can experience headaches, confusion, fainting and extreme fatigue. Even though most pregnant women gain weight, those suffering from this condition often lose weight. At least some women also will require bed rest just to reach a point where the baby can be safely born.
Pregnancy should be a joyous experience. The months should be filled with preparing for the baby, thinking about the future and more. However, some women end up with complications such as the one above. If their doctors fail to diagnose and treat them in a timely manner, it could put the mother and baby’s lives in harm’s way. Even an issue such as dehydration could have serious repercussions on a woman’s body. If a baby does not receive proper nutrition due to something like hyperemesis gravidarum, a host of issues could arise that could affect fetal development and the child’s development for years to come.