Like many women, I had never heard of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) until I experienced it myself. And if I’m honest, it wasn’t until several months postpartum that I truly understood what HG was and everything I had endured because of it.

My Initial Experience with HG Symptoms

It sounds strange to say now, but I was excited when I started to have nausea and vomiting at around 5 weeks’ gestation. We had struggled to get and stay pregnant, and to me, feeling sick was a sign that this pregnancy was going to stick.

But things quickly escalated far beyond what I had expected.

I dreaded waking up in the morning, because I knew as soon as I rolled over the vomiting would start. Even more debilitating than that was the constant severe nausea. I struggled to keep anything down and had never felt so sick in my life. Had I completely underestimated how bad morning sickness really was?

After the struggles I had faced to become pregnant, I seriously began to question whether I was cut out to be a mother at all.

First Steps to Getting Help

Being in a PhD program at the time, I couldn’t afford to be so sick. I was struggling with even the most basic daily tasks, and I needed help. After trying all the natural remedies I could find, I asked my OB about medications at around 7-8 weeks gestation. I felt guilty, but I couldn’t see any other options. We tried many different medications, but nothing seemed to work. I also experienced numerous side effects, including rare mental health complications.

When things got really bad, I would go to the hospital for IV fluids. Instead of being proactive, I often waited until I was “circling the drain” before calling my OB team to see if they thought I was bad enough to come in. I guess I felt guilty. I was just pregnant—I shouldn’t be struggling this much.

The staff were always kind. They would test for ketones, give me 1-2 liters of fluids, and administer medications. But often, I’d start vomiting in the car on the way home, already feeling the effects of dehydration creeping back in. I didn’t realize at the time that I needed more frequent IV fluids with added vitamins and minerals just to keep my head above water.

It Was Obvious That My Pregnancy Was Not Normal

At 23 weeks gestation, I was 20 pounds below my pregnancy starting weight. I essentially had no visible baby bump, and my legs were so skinny that I was embarrassed to be seen in public. I was unable to work, and mentally, I was in the darkest place of my life. While my vomiting frequency had decreased, the severe nausea and food aversions persisted.

It was clear that my pregnancy was not normal, yet the term “hyperemesis gravidarum” wasn’t being used. The focus had shifted to my mental health, leading me to believe there was just something wrong with me—or even worse, that I was “crazy.”

The fear that my condition and everything I had been through was harming my baby was also overwhelming. At the same time, I felt completely disconnected and truly believed that he would be better off without me.

When my son was born at 39 weeks’ gestation, I was incredibly grateful that he was healthy and that I was starting to feel like myself again.

But the trauma we experienced was undeniable.

Looking Back on My First Encounter with HG

The first time I experienced hyperemesis gravidarum, I didn’t know what it was, and neither did those around me. It was clear something was very wrong, but the general lack of knowledge and understanding about this condition led to unnecessary suffering.

In hindsight, I see that I pushed myself too hard and didn’t get the compassionate and informed care I truly needed.

The story of my first pregnancy with HG is difficult but important to share. Severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy aren’t normal, and it’s crucial for patients, family members, and healthcare providers to recognize this.

If you or a loved one is experiencing or recovering from severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, please know that you deserve informed and compassionate care, and that you don’t have to walk this journey alone!

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