Severe Morning Sickness: What it is, Why Medical Professionals Must Identify the Signs of It, and How Negligence in Diagnosing and Treating Hyperemesis Gravidarum May Justify Legal Action

Pregnancy experiences vary among women, with some experiencing little discomfort and others experiencing debilitating symptoms. Some women feel slightly queasy in the first trimester, while others experience extreme morning sickness throughout the pregnancy. While most morning sickness passes without incident, severe nausea and vomiting are notable signs of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a condition that causes severe illness in pregnancy.

About Hyperemesis Gravidarum and How it Manifests in Pregnant Women

HG occurs among the many hormonal and other changes pregnancy causes. Typically, women with morning sickness experience discomfort in the first trimester of pregnancy, but the condition can last for longer, even the entire pregnancy. However, Hyperemesis Gravidarum is not mere queasiness familiar to morning sickness. A pregnant woman with this condition can experience intense vomiting, which can last for weeks or months.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum can leave a pregnant woman severely weakened and sick. The most common symptoms are devastating nausea, vomiting several times a day, inability to eat, dehydration, weight loss, dizziness, headaches, fainting, and extreme fatigue. Less common are low blood pressure, dry skin, jaundice, confusion, and racing heart.

Frequency and Susceptibility to Hyperemesis Gravidarum During Pregnancy

Over half of all pregnancies result in extreme nausea and vomiting, some leading to hospital visits. Studies show that 60,000 or more cases of severe morning sickness end up in hospitals for treatment. Those more likely to experience HG have medical or family histories of the condition. Others more susceptible to the condition are pregnant with twins or triplets (or more), have experienced motion sickness or migraines in the past, and have first-time pregnancies. Also, those with gestational trophoblastic disease (overgrowth of uterine cells) suffer from Hyperemesis Gravidarum more often.

Variety of Treatments Available for Extreme Morning Sickness

Each case of hyperemesis gravidarum is different, so treatment depends on the patient. Some options include changing eating habits. A bland diet of small portions of crackers, toast, and rice eaten every couple of hours is best for the condition, especially when avoiding fatty, greasy foods that promote nausea.

To ease symptoms, an HG patient may also want to find anti-nausea remedies, such as ginger tea and acupressure wristbands. They may also want to avoid smells and other triggers, like car rides. One option may be over-the-counter anti-nausea medicine, such as vitamin B6 and doxylamine. Sometimes antihistamines, like Benadryl, work, but severe cases may require prescription medication, like metoclopramide, or intravenous fluids or nutrients at the hospital.

Potential Complications and Risks of Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Untreated or delayed treatment of HG can heighten the risk of complications.

What can Happen to Mothers with Hyperemesis

Excessive vomiting can cause blood in the mother’s throat, malnutrition, infection, iron deficiency, post-traumatic stress disorder, embolism, placental abruption, preeclampsia, and heart problems. The most severe outcomes for mothers with hyperemesis gravidarum involve life-threatening complications, particularly if medical professionals fail to adequately diagnose and treat the condition.

What can Happen to Babies with Maternal Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Fetal complications include preterm birth, complications due to placental abruption, Intrauterine Growth Restriction, and low birth weight. Wernicke’s encephalopathy occurs when the mother has a severe vitamin B deficiency, which also results in children with the condition. Preterm and low birth weight delivery can leave a child with long-term, even life-long, challenges, such as cognitive disabilities, cerebral palsy, and eye problems, such as retinopathy of prematurity. Preterm and low birth weight babies also end up suffering chronic conditions in older age, such as diabetes and obesity. Neural tube defects, low amniotic fluid, and Wernicke’s encephalopathy occur from malnutrition and vitamin deficiency, leaving a child with walking and balance problems and a general sense of confusion.

How can Medical Malpractice Occur with Extreme Pregnancy Nausea and Vomiting?

Early diagnosis and treatment of HG can prevent the worst outcomes for the mother and fetus. A detailed medical history review can reveal prior bouts of HG to help a physician prepare for possible HG. Keeping careful track of a patient’s weight during regular checkups can also help avoid complications. Paying careful attention to a multiple pregnancy patient is also required to protect the mother and baby from severe side effects.

An obstetrician who orders blood and urine tests at regular checkups can also track any dehydration or malnutrition and perform an ultrasound to detect HG. Since early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications for mother and child, a medical professional must follow standard protocols for diagnosing and treating patients with hyperemesis gravidarum. They must not overlook or downplay symptoms as mere morning sickness that will pass. Testing at the first suspicion of a patient’s complaints of dizziness, vomiting, and nausea is critical. Symptoms should prompt testing, confirmation, and treatment.

Failure to screen patients with risk factors for HG or investigate the signs of HG with testing, followed by a prompt diagnosis and early intervention,  may constitute medical negligence. Also, not performing an emergency C-section when necessary is yet another medically negligent act that can lead to serious harm for pregnant women and their newborns.

What Rights do Injured Mothers and their Babies have when Medical Errors with Hyperemesis Gravidarum Cause Harm?

Patients have legal rights to sue negligent doctors or other medical staff for their injuries or their child’s injuries resulting from medical negligence, including failure to diagnose, treat, or initiate necessary medical protocols when hyperemesis gravidarum exists. When maternal injuries or birth injuries occur as a result of medical professionals’ and facilities’ substandard care for extreme pregnancy nausea and vomiting, the injured parties and their loved ones have a right to compensation for the economic, physical, and mental costs incurred.

Let our Attorneys Assist with Your Hyperemesis Gravidarum Claim in NJ

If you and your child did not receive appropriate medical care, our legal team is here to help. Contact us at (866)-708-8617 to speak with one of our dedicated attorneys about what occurred in your case and discuss potential ways you can be compensated for medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering, among other out-of-pocket and non-economic damages. Providing free consultations and case reviews to individuals and families throughout New Jersey, and consulting on these cases nationwide, our lawyers have the experience and knowledge to investigate the validity of your claim and walk you through the legal process to obtain compensation. We take the lead in discovering the evidence and assembling the most solid case against those responsible for your or your baby’s injuries. Do not hesitate to request a free review of your case by filling out our easy-to-use form to learn more about your rights.