What is hyperemesis gravidarum? Can it be harmful to me and my baby? I'm 38 weeks pregnant, and I keep vomiting whenever I eat.

Shalonda

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a condition experienced by some pregnant women that involves severe, prolonged nausea and vomiting. Women suffering from this condition often require admission to the hospital for anti-nausea therapy and intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration that could threaten the health of both mother and child.

HG usually occurs in the first trimester, most often in a first pregnancy, and generally disappears by week 20. Although transient nausea and vomiting (morning sickness) occurs in more than half of pregnancies, HG is not common and occurs in only three to four out of 1,000 pregnancies.

Nausea and vomiting that occurs after the first trimester, and especially at the end of the third trimester, must be investigated more closely and should not be attributed to HG. Several pregnancy-related diseases of the liver and digestive tract may appear in this manner late in the third trimester, including fatty liver and preeclampsia. Liver disease as a result of pregnancy represents a medical emergency. Often, the baby must be delivered early to prevent complications to the mother and infant.

Pregnant women are also prone to develop other diseases, not exclusive to pregnancy, that may cause nausea and vomiting. These include food poisoning, gallbladder disease, inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). All of these disorders may complicate a pregnancy and lead to premature labor if not properly treated.

Your symptoms of nausea and vomiting in the third trimester necessitates an urgent examination by your obstetrician, with lab work and other testing. I must emphasize that HG does not usually occur at this time. Only after the true cause of your symptoms is found can the proper therapy be given.