The staggering toll of hyperemesis gravidarum—an extreme form of morning sickness—on pregnant women has been revealed by a new study, with more than half of subjects saying they had considered ending their pregnancy because of the condition.
The research, published in the journal PLOS ONE, surveyed 289 Australian women and found that 54 percent had contemplated termination due to unrelenting nausea and vomiting, while 90 percent reported they had thought about avoiding future pregnancies altogether.
Lead author and pharmacist professor Luke Grzeskowiak of Australia’s Flinders University, said the findings underscore how often hyperemesis gravidarum is underestimated or dismissed.
“Hyperemesis gravidarum is not just morning sickness—it’s a serious condition that can have devastating consequences for women’s mental health, relationships and decisions about future pregnancies,” he said.
“Our study shows that many women are not getting the support or relief they need, and that’s something we must urgently address.”
The study painted a bleak picture of the lived reality of hyperemesis gravidarum. Sixty-two percent of respondents reported experiencing frequent anxiety or depression during pregnancy, while more than half described major disruptions to work, caregiving, relationships and daily activities.
More than a third (37 percent) even requested early induction of labor to bring an end to their suffering.
Caitlin Kay-Smith, founder of consumer group Hyperemesis Australia and co-author of the study, said the findings should change how doctors approach the condition.
“Too often, women’s symptoms are dismissed as a normal part of pregnancy, when in fact they are experiencing a condition that can be life-altering,” she said in a statement.
“We need to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach and toward personalized care that recognizes the full impact of hyperemesis gravidarum.”
Despite the severity of symptoms, only about half of women said commonly prescribed treatments were effective.
Ondansetron, doxylamine and corticosteroids were rated as the most helpful medications, but many respondents reported side effects such as constipation, sedation and impaired cognition.
Metoclopramide, another drug frequently used to manage nausea, was discontinued by nearly a third of patients due to adverse reactions.
“Women are often prescribed multiple medications in an attempt to manage their symptoms, but the reality is that many of these treatments come with their own burdens,” said Professor Grzeskowiak.
The research—co-designed with Hyperemesis Australia and supported by the Robinson Research Institute at the University of Adelaide—calls for greater investment in support services and more robust studies on the long-term effects of HG and its treatments.
Grzeskowiak said the message from affected women was clear: “They want to be heard, believed, and treated with dignity.”
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