1. Pay Attention to the Symptoms of Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) affects nearly 1 percent of all pregnant women. This disorder--which typically begins early in a woman's pregnancy, between the fourth and sixth weeks--is characterized by extreme nausea and vomiting. Hyperemesis gravidarum is the most severe form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Some symptoms of HG include extreme nausea, frequent vomiting (at least three or four times per day), dehydration, fatigue, headache, decreased urine output, dizziness, fainting and trouble keeping food down. If a woman notices these symptoms (or any combination of them), she should contact her obstetrician or family doctor.
2. Get a Physical Exam From a Doctor
If a doctor suspects that a pregnant woman may have hyperemesis gravidarum, she will likely conduct a thorough physical examination to aid in the diagnosis. She will weigh the pregnant woman to see if she has lost any weight. Most women with hyperemesis gravidarum lose up to 5 percent of their prepregnancy body weight due to frequent vomiting. The doctor will also measure a woman's blood pressure, since women with HG typically have lower-than-normal blood pressure readings. The doctor will also check for a fast heart rate (tachycardia) and pulse. Because some women with HG experience jaundice, the doctor will also look for symptoms such as yellowish skin and eyes.
3. Test Urine and Blood to Aid in the Diagnosis
Several laboratory tests on both the urine and the blood can also aid doctors in diagnosing hyperemesis gravidarum in a pregnant woman. A woman with HG can have an elevated level of ketones in her urine, which can signify starvation. The level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and the urine-specific gravity are also typically elevated, signifying dehydration. Doctors will also often test a blood sample for the serum levels of electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium. An imbalance in these electrolyte levels can signify dehydration. Women with HG can also have increased levels of liver enzymes (such as bilirubin), an abnormal level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), a low iron level (indicating anemia) and an increased hematocrit.
