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By Chloe at Bloom
Pregnancy is often painted as a time of joy and excitement, filled with glowing skin, baby kicks, and nursery preparations. But for those who experience hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), pregnancy can feel like an unrelenting battle for survival. Unlike the mild nausea and vomiting that many associate with morning sickness, HG is a severe and debilitating condition that can last for months, leaving those affected physically and emotionally drained.
As a perinatal therapist, I have seen firsthand how HG impacts not just the body but also mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. The emotional toll of relentless nausea, extreme fatigue, and isolation is profound, yet often overlooked.
If you or someone you love is struggling with HG, know this: your experience is real, your suffering is valid, and you are not alone.
What Is Hyperemesis Gravidarum?
HG is a severe form of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting that affects around 1-3% of pregnancies. While morning sickness is common, HG is characterized by:
- Persistent, uncontrollable nausea and vomiting (often all day, not just in the morning)
- Severe dehydration due to an inability to keep down fluids
- Significant weight loss (often more than 5% of pre-pregnancy weight)
- Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies
- Extreme fatigue, dizziness, and weakness
- Hospitalization for IV fluids and medication management
For many, HG isn’t just a bad case of nausea—it’s a condition that disrupts every aspect of life, making basic daily functioning impossible.
The Mental Health Impact of HG
1. The Emotional Toll of Constant Suffering
Imagine waking up every day feeling violently ill, unable to move without triggering vomiting, unable to eat without consequence, and unable to find relief. Now imagine that lasting not for a few weeks but for months on end.
Many people with HG describe feeling:
- Helpless – No amount of ginger, crackers, or traditional remedies provides relief.
- Hopeless – The unrelenting nature of HG can make it feel like it will never end.
- Disconnected – It’s hard to feel excited about pregnancy when you’re constantly suffering.
These feelings, when prolonged, can contribute to depression, anxiety, and even perinatal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
2. Anxiety and Fear Around Eating and Drinking
For most people, eating and drinking are sources of comfort and nourishment. But for those with HG, food and fluids become a source of fear.
- “Will this meal make me sick?”
- “How much weight will I lose if I can’t eat today?”
- “Will I have to go back to the hospital for fluids again?”
Many develop food aversions and disordered eating patterns that can persist long after pregnancy. The anxiety around eating can also make recovery from HG more challenging postpartum.
3. Isolation and Lack of Understanding
HG often forces people into social isolation. Attending events, working, or even holding a conversation can feel impossible when you’re constantly sick. Friends and family may not fully understand the severity of the condition, offering unhelpful advice like:
- “Have you tried ginger?”
- “At least it means the baby is healthy!”
- “Every pregnancy is hard—you’ll get through it.”
This lack of validation can leave those with HG feeling alone, dismissed, and even ashamed for struggling so much.
4. Guilt and Grief
Many people who experience HG also experience guilt—for not enjoying pregnancy, for feeling disconnected from their baby, or for needing so much help from their partner or family.
Some even experience grief—grieving the pregnancy they imagined, grieving their sense of self, and in some cases, grieving the loss of future pregnancies if they decide they cannot go through HG again.
The Long-Term Psychological Effects of HG
Even after HG ends, the mental health impact often lingers. Research shows that those who experience HG are at a higher risk for postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety. Some develop PTSD symptoms, including:
- Flashbacks of their time being sick or hospitalized
- Panic at the thought of future pregnancies
- Avoidance of anything that reminds them of the experience (even certain foods or smells)
For many, HG changes how they feel about pregnancy and family planning altogether.
How to Cope with HG’s Mental Health Impact
1. Seek Medical and Emotional Support
HG is a medical condition, and you deserve proper treatment. Advocate for medication, IV fluids, and nutritional support. At the same time, don’t underestimate the importance of mental health support—therapy can help you process your experience and cope with the emotional toll.
2. Find a Community That Understands
Because HG is so misunderstood, connecting with others who have been through it can be life-changing. Consider joining an HG support group or online community. Talking to someone who truly “gets it” can help you feel less alone.
3. Let Go of Guilt and Unrealistic Expectations
- It’s okay if your pregnancy doesn’t look like the glowing Instagram version.
- It’s okay if you don’t feel excited about your baby yet.
- It’s okay if you need extra support.
You are doing your best in a situation that is out of your control.
4. Consider Therapy for Processing Trauma
If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptoms after HG, therapy can be incredibly helpful. Working with a perinatal therapist can help you:
- Process the trauma of HG
- Address anxiety or fear about future pregnancies
- Navigate postpartum recovery
You Are Not Alone
Hyperemesis gravidarum is not just bad morning sickness—it is a severe, life-altering condition that takes both a physical and emotional toll. If you’re in the middle of it, know that your suffering is real, your feelings are valid, and you deserve support.
And if you’re struggling with the mental health aftermath of HG, please reach out for help. Healing is possible, and you don’t have to carry this alone.
To learn more about our team of perinatal therapists, click here.
