About NVP & HG

If HG sufferers do not receive aggressive, consistent, compassionate and ongoing care they are at risk of the following complications:  

  • loss of greater than 5% of pre-pregnancy body weight (usually over 10%)

  • chronic and severe dehydration

  • nutritional deficiencies

  • metabolic imbalances

  • severe fatigue and debility

  • depression/anxiety and trauma

  • premature labour/delivery

  • adverse foetal outcomes

Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy (NVP) and Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) are prevalent yet frequently overlooked conditions during pregnancy. They impact 70-80% of pregnant women to varying degrees, with symptoms often extending beyond the first trimester. While NVP can typically be managed through lifestyle adjustments and medication, HG represents a severe form marked by persistent nausea and vomiting, resulting in impaired eating and drinking habits. Chronic dehydration and malnutrition are common, leading to substantial weight loss. HG ranks as a primary cause of hospitalisation in early pregnancy, and aside from preterm labour, it stands as the most frequent cause of hospitalisation throughout pregnancy. 

While “morning sickness” is commonly perceived as a natural aspect of early pregnancy, NVP and HG deviate from the norm. Timely treatment and support are imperative, rather than waiting for symptoms to resolve by the end of the first trimester. Delayed intervention can exacerbate negative maternal and fetal health outcomes, prolonging needlessly suffering.

Don’t say morning sickness

The term "morning sickness" fails to capture the debilitating nature of the condition. By using a term that trivialises the experience, there's a risk of downplaying the impact of pregnancy sickness on a person's physical and mental wellbeing.

Testimony from HG survivors

  • Living with hyperemesis was harrowing, I felt like I ceased to exist. My doctors and midwives didn’t seem to care about my illness because my unborn child was not in any danger. I was just a vessel.

  • HG was like an all consuming black cloud. It was severely debilitating, depressing and isolating. It stripped me of all my valuable life roles right back to pure survival mode.

  • HG meant failing to find the positives to pregnancy. It meant losing all sense of self, wellness and not wanting my baby due to this overwhelming/debilitating condition.

  • It was a very much wanted pregnancy but I wanted it to go away every day. Two years on, I have lasting guilt and resentment and sadly the experience has put me off wanting to have another child.

  • You lose your inability to perform basic self care tasks. You can’t brush your hair, teeth, get out of bed or shower. Physically HG is hard but mentally, so much harder.

  • HG and Ptyalism left me isolated, lonely, depressed, unable to work and care for myself during pregnancy and more. HG left me with deep long-lasting wounds I needed to work on postpartum while looking after a small baby.

  • HG strips you of everything that makes you feel like yourself. Everything that brings you joy, excites you or makes you want to get out of bed every day. It reduces you to a shell of your former self - at what is supposed to be the happiest time of your life.

  • I felt so fragile that all I was physically capable of doing was stumbling from the bed to the nearest bucket. It’s a heartbreaking condition that you don’t see because we are hidden with our heads in a bucket.

  • Nausea & Vomiting in Pregnancy

    Severity: Generally milder compared to HG

    Duration: Typically resolves by the end of the first trimester but mild symptoms can continue

    Symptoms: Nausea and vomiting, but less severe and usually manageable

    Impact: Usually does not lead to severe dehydration, malnutrition, or weight loss

    Management: Can often be managed with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications

    Treatment: Medications, frequent rest and dietary adjustments may be sufficient for relief

    Complications: Less likely to result in hospitalisation or significant adverse maternal and foetal outcomes

  • Hyperemesis Gravidarum

    Severity: Severe and debilitating physical and mental impacts

    Duration: Symptoms persist beyond the first trimester, often throughout pregnancy

    Symptoms: Persistent and unrelenting nausea and vomiting

    Impact: Can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and significant weight loss as well as increased risk of perinatal anxiety, depression and PTSD

    Management: Often requires medical intervention, including hospitalisation.

    Treatment: Typically involves medications, intravenous fluids, and close monitoring

    Complications: May lead to adverse outcomes for both mother and foetus if left untreated - including into the postnatal period

While there have been numerous theories regarding the cause of HG - including HcG levels, nutrient deficiencies and increased sensitivities to taste and smell - it is only in the last few years that researchers have been able to point directly to a likely culprit.

GDF15, or Growth Differentiation Factor 15, has been identified as a potential biomarker for hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). GDF15 is a protein that is naturally produced in the body, particularly in response to tissue injury, inflammation, or stress. Recent studies have found that GDF15 levels are significantly elevated in women with HG compared to those with normal pregnancies or mild pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. 

Researchers hypothesise that GDF15 may play a role in regulating nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, possibly by affecting the central nervous system and gastrointestinal function. However, the exact mechanisms by which GDF15 contributes to HG symptoms are still being investigated.

Understanding the role of GDF15 in HG could have significant implications for diagnosis, treatment, and management of the condition. It may lead to the development of targeted therapies that specifically address the underlying biological mechanisms driving severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Additionally, GDF15 levels could potentially serve as a biomarker for predicting HG severity and monitoring treatment response.

Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms of GDF15 in HG and its potential clinical applications. However, these findings represent an exciting avenue for advancing our understanding and management of this challenging condition.

What causes HG?

Pregnancy sickness, particularly in its severe form of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), can also have a profound impact on mental health. The relentless nausea and vomiting, coupled with the physical discomfort and debilitation, often lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. Many sufferers find themselves grappling with a sense of helplessness and frustration as they struggle to fulfil their daily responsibilities and care for themselves and their families. The constant battle with symptoms, combined with the lack of understanding and support from others, can erode self-esteem and confidence. Moreover, the emotional toll of HG is not limited to the duration of pregnancy; it can linger long after childbirth, contributing to postpartum depression and anxiety. It's essential for healthcare providers and support networks to recognise and address the mental health challenges associated with pregnancy sickness, offering compassion, validation, and appropriate interventions to help individuals cope and heal.

Impact on mental health

Hyperemesis Australia and the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) surveyed 574 individuals with experience of Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) and/or Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy (NVP). The mental and physical toll of these conditions as well as the support they received from other settings was explored. The following are results obtained from this survey.

  • 95% said HG or NVP impacted their emotional health and how they felt day-to-day

  • 50% said HG or NVP negatively impacted their feelings towards their baby during pregnancy

  • 40% said they experienced depression during their pregnancy

  • 54% said they experienced anxiety during their pregnancy

Have a listen …

Curious healthcare professionals are encouraged to tune in to You, Me & HG for valuable insights into pregnancy sickness directly from survivors. Hosted by Caitlin and Yanika, this podcast aims to combat the loneliness and isolation experienced by HG sufferers by sharing survivor stories, along with practical tips and resources. As the official podcast of Hyperemesis Australia, You, Me & HG delves into the spectrum of pregnancy sickness, offering up-to-date treatment recommendations and personal experiences from two-time survivors turned advocates. With dedicated episodes showcasing the resilience and love of the HG community, this podcast provides a unique opportunity to deepen understanding and support for those living with HG.