Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) tried to take everything from me. As a confident PhD student, I was suddenly trapped in a never-ending cycle of sickness, uncertainty, and fear, unsure if I would ever regain control of my body or my life again. 

But through the darkness, I discovered the power of self-advocacy, and it helped me take back control of my journey to motherhood.

Self-Advocacy in HG: What It Is and Why It’s So Important
Self-advocacy is speaking up for yourself and making informed decisions about your well-being and care. It involves educating yourself, knowing your rights, asking questions, and standing firm to make sure you get the support you deserve.

In the world of HG, where misunderstandings and lack of awareness are common, self-advocacy is crucial.

My journey to becoming an HG self-advocate didn’t happen overnight. It started with small steps—researching symptoms and asking for adjustments to my medications. However, as I prepared for my second pregnancy, I fully stepped into my power.In this article, I’ll share the three key steps I took to become an empowered HG self-advocate, which helped me build a much better pregnancy experience for myself the second time around.

Step 1: Shift Your HG Mindset

The way you think about HG matters.

If you’ve caught yourself thinking, “Why is this happening to me?” or “What did I do to deserve this?” you’re not alone. It’s normal to feel victimized by HG, but don’t stay in those feelings for too long. Why? Because it’s difficult to create change and improve your circumstances from a victim mindset.

Shifting to an “HG Agent Mindset” was key to taking back control and advocating for myself. Instead of focusing on what was happening to me, I shifted my focus to what I could control and the actions I could take to improve my circumstances.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few mindset shifts that helped me, even during the toughest moments:

“HG is something I suffer from.” → “HG is a challenge I can overcome.”

“I can’t do this.” → “What support do I need to ask for right now?”

“This is unfair.” → “What small steps can I take to improve my situation?”

Step 2: Arm Yourself with HG Knowledge

Educating yourself about HG helps you make informed decisions about your care and gives you the confidence to speak up and be heard.  

I break HG knowledge into three key areas:

• HG Self-Awareness:

Every HG journey is unique, and you’re the expert on yours. Reflect on what treatments worked, complications you faced, and how you coped. This self-awareness helps you communicate your needs with healthcare providers and receive more personalized care.

• HG Science:
  Learn about HG, including its impacts and management strategies. The more you understand, the better equipped you’ll be to advocate for yourself and your baby. If diving into scientific literature isn’t your thing, check out Harmonia Healthcare or The HER Foundation—they excel at simplifying complex information into must-know facts!

• HG Healthcare and Rights:
  Know your options. Learn about available treatments, insurance coverage, medical leave, and workplace accommodations. I didn’t know home healthcare for IV fluids was an option until AFTER my first pregnancy!  

Step 3: Be Proactive

When it comes to HG, being proactive is essential.

• Create a Plan and Act Early
  If you’ve experienced HG before, don’t just hope for the best. Develop an HG management plan and seek help early, before things escalate.

• Build a Strong Support Network
  You can’t battle HG alone. Surround yourself with healthcare providers, family, friends, and others who understand HG, your needs, and what’s most important to you.

• Advocacy Support
  Prepare someone in your support system to advocate for you when you’re too sick to do so. This ensures your wants and needs are communicated even when you can’t speak for yourself.

Moving forward
Being an HG self-advocate means educating yourself, taking charge of your health and well-being, and standing up for the care and support you deserve.

The road to motherhood with HG isn’t easy, but an empowered HG Warrior who knows how to advocate for herself is truly a force to be reckoned with!

Take action today—connect with Harmonia Healthcare to explore your options and the support they can provide.  

You are so much stronger than you think, and I know you can do this!

Kathryn is a mentor and advocate dedicated to raising awareness and supporting those impacted by hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). A two-time HG survivor with a PhD in Psychological & Brain Sciences, she combines science-based expertise with the compassionate understanding gained from her own experience. After transforming her own traumatic journey with HG, Kathryn identified significant gaps in knowledge and support, leading her to transition from her academic research career to helping women and their families navigate this challenging condition. Learn more about her story and the resources she offers on Instagram @HGMentor, or reach out to her at kathryn@hgmentor.com