Kate’s condition

Arlene Harris discusses the dangers of severe morning sickness.

IT’S been a busy year for the British royal family and no doubt all were delighted with the announcement this week that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby. But the news has been overshadowed by the mother-to-be being admitted to hospital with hypermesis gravidarum — or severe morning sickness.

Kate, 30, was struck down with the illness whilst visiting her parents last weekend and although she is ‘continuing to get better’, she is expected to remain under medical care for several days.

Prof Louise Kenny, consultant obstetrician at CUMH says while Kate’s condition is extremely debilitating, it is also very rare.

“While over 70% of women experience nausea or morning sickness during pregnancy, hypermesis gravidarum is a very severe form which affects only between 0.3% and 2% of pregnant women,” she says.

“It normally happens during the early stages and is at its very worst during the first trimester, although some severe cases can last for the duration of the pregnancy.”

Prof Kenny says women who experience this form of sickness should get medical attention as they can lose a lot of weight and become very dehydrated and malnourished.

“Women with hypermesis gravidarum can lose up to 10% of their body weight during the first trimester as they become chronically dehydrated,” she says.

“In most cases treatment involves hospitalisation where intravenous fluids and vitamins can be administered and both mother and baby can be monitored.

“In very severe cases, anti-vomiting drugs can be given — but these have varying degrees of success.”

At any given time there will be at least two women suffering from acute morning sickness under Prof Kenny’s care at CUMH, but she says there is still no definite cause.

“There are lots of theories about what causes hypermesis gravidarum, but none of them have been proven to be true,” she says.

“It often affects women who are expecting twins or those who are carrying female babies but I have seen it in lots of different cases — and some women get it during one pregnancy but not another, so it is impossible to predict.

“Unfortunately there is no magic wand to wave it away, but it is vital for any pregnant woman who is finding it difficult to keep fluids down, to call her midwife or GP and get checked out immediately. We take this very seriously as if adequate treatment is not administered, it can have implications on the rest of the pregnancy. So my advice would be, if in doubt, seek medical help.”