For a few pregnant women, vomiting during pregnancy becomes so excessive that it can harm them or their babies. This condition is called
hyperemesis gravidarum. Typically, hyperemesis gravidarum is characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss of more than 5 percent, and evidence of dehydration. Check your symptoms and compare to the information below to recognize the difference between morning sickness and serious illness.
Typical Signs of Morning Sickness |
Signs of a Potentially More Serious Sickness |
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Your nausea goes away after 14–16 weeks. |
Your nausea doesn’t go away. |
Your nausea leads to occasional vomiting. |
Your nausea leads to severe vomiting (several times per
day). |
Your vomiting doesn’t cause dehydration. |
Your vomiting causes severe dehydration. |
Your vomiting still allows you to keep some food down. |
Your vomiting doesn’t allow you to keep food down. |
Your nausea and vomiting are annoying. |
Your nausea and vomiting disrupt your life. |
You don’t experience any significant weight loss. |
You experience weight loss of more than 5% of your body
weight. |
Nausea and some vomiting are your only symptoms. |
Dizziness, weakness, and fatigue accompany your vomiting. |