Part one of a two-part series on the psychological toll of hyperemesis gravidarum.

Apart from the obvious bundle of joy, when most people think of pregnancy, they often think of “morning sickness.” This is characterized by a generally fleeting wave of nausea and occasional vomiting, which crackers, bland foods, or ginger tea can help alleviate. But, for up to 3 percent of pregnant women, nausea and vomiting become something else entirely: Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a condition so severe it can lead to weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration, hospital admissions, and in some cases, the termination of a wanted pregnancy.

Despite its seriousness, HG is widely misunderstood, and research is still uncertain of whether its cause is genetic, metabolic, or something else entirely. Further, because its symptoms overlap with morning sickness, the condition can be minimized or dismissed by friends, family, coworkers, and even, at times, healthcare workers. Women are told, “Tough it out.” “Try crackers.” "Go for a walk. "Just enjoy the process of pregnancy.” But, unlike morning sickness, HG is characterized by relentless nausea and vomiting that lasts beyond the first trimester and often carries on throughout the entirety of pregnancy. HG........

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