Is it even possible to eat while suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum?

The answer is… SORT OF. With the right hyperemesis gravidarum diet, you may be able to maintain enough nutrition to get you through those 9 long months. Persistent nausea and vomiting makes eating the last (but also the only) thing on a pregnant woman’s mind. She wants to eat, she wants to eat SO badly! But she also doesn’t want to eat because eating would mean vomiting and she really… REALLY… doesn’t want to vomit anymore.

Here are 4 extreme tips for how to eat when you can’t eat due to hyperemesis gravidarum.

The Hyperemesis Gravidarum Diet — *This post contains affiliate links which means that if you click on one of these links and buy a product, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Rest assured that I only recommend products that I love from companies that I trust. Furthermore, I am not a medical professional and nothing in this post should be taken as medical advice. I am simply a mother who has been there and lived to tell the tale.

The following tips may sound very extreme, but that’s what hyperemesis gravidarum is. It’s not just a bit of nausea – it’s an actual inability to eat food without vomiting it back up again… for months on end. Eating sounds impossible, but with a few strategic tips – it’s entirely possible to avoid being fed through a tube.

Tip #1: Accept thy curse

The first trick in the hyperemesis gravidarum diet is to accept the fact that nothing you eat will stay down. However, you will need to find ways to get nutrients into your body in order for you and your baby to survive, and reduce the need to be hospitalized and fed through a tube. The sooner you can accept the fact that you’re in this for the entire pregnancy, the less chance you have of risking a hospital stay.

- Accept that you will feel like crap every single day of your pregnancy until the day that baby pops out of you and not one second before.
- Don’t expect to feel better after vomiting as if you just ate some bad shrimp.
- Accept that no home remedy for morning sickness will help you, despite numerous people telling you otherwise.
- Don’t count down the days until the end of the first trimester expecting it to go away.
- Accept that you are strong enough to do this and that the benefits will greatly outweigh the struggle in the end.
- Don’t tell others that you are fine when you are clearly suffering. Tell them how to help you.

How to help a woman with Hyperemesis Gravidarum — .

Tip #2: Every Second Counts

Don’t avoid eating altogether, just because you know that it’s going to come back up again. The process of digestion begins as soon as we put food into our mouths. From there, nutrients are absorbed through the esophagus, stomach and intestines. Therefore, if you can keep something down for just a few minutes, then it’s better than nothing at all.

When choosing foods for your hyperemesis gravidarum diet, there are a few important characteristics to look for.

Fast Absorption

Liquids absorb faster than solids. Electrolyte drinks can help battle dehydration or you can try making your own if you find them too sugary. Fresh made juices, smoothies or clear broth are another good option. Try to avoid drinking plain water (see Tip #3).

Highly Nutritious

Try to go as healthy as possible. Meal replacement drinks, fresh made juices or vegetable soup have all the good stuff without the junk, because you don’t have any time to waste. There are several specific vitamins and minerals worth focusing on.

Smooth Texture

If it goes down easy – it will come up easy. It may seem disturbing to have to choose a food based on what it will be like coming back up, but that is exactly what you will need to do to survive HG. Contrary to popular belief, things like sweet, juicy fruit like apples, berries and melons may not be the best option. The natural fruit juices get absorbed very quickly leaving the pulp behind which is extremely unpleasant coming back up. If you absolutely must have fruit, then blend it into a juice or smoothie first.

Curdle Factor

Yet another disturbing characteristic, consider which foods will curdle in your stomach before they make a re-appearance. I craved milk (and cereal) during my pregnancies and it was extremely unpleasant coming back up in chunks. Most dairy-based items will be the same and can cause even more disturbances on an upset stomach. Clear fluids are the better option.

Tip #3: Avoid Water

Whaaaaaa….????

I know this sounds counter-productive for someone who is battling dehydration. But plain, old-fashioned water is one of the hardest things to drink with hyperemesis gravidarum. Water can actually induce vomiting when you have an extra sensitive stomach, especially after eating. Hydration is an important part of the hyperemesis gravidarum diet, so you need to find other ways to stay hydrated.

Some plain water alternatives to try:

Natural mineral water. The bubbles can either help or make it worse but there’s only way to find out. Try a flavored water (like citrus) to see if it appeals to you.

Coconut water. Try it both cold and at room temperature to see which you prefer, as this can change the flavor.

Popsicles. Anything frozen will melt slowly which is better than having lots of liquid go straight into your stomach. Aim for fresh fruit ones instead of sugar loaded flavors.

Ice chips. If all else fails and you’re not able to keep down any liquids at all, then sucking on ice chips is one way to stay hydrated.

It sounds extreme but it’s not at all unusual for a woman with hyperemesis gravidarum to be unable to keep down a sip of water to take her prenatal vitamins or prescription anti-emetics (I speak from experience).

7 Vitamins and Minerals All Women Need To Be Healthy — .

Tip #4: Tiny Portions

I’m not exaggerating when I say tiny. Small portions are usually recommended for nausea and vomiting. For the hyperemesis gravidarum diet, take what you think of as small and cut it in half. Now cut it in half again, and maybe even once more.

Try one tablespoon of food or liquid every 10-15 minutes.

If it stays down, have another and so on.

If it doesn’t stay down, try half a tablespoon.

You should try experimenting with different ways to eat or drink. Try drinking through a straw vs. no straw, a spoon vs. sipping, hot vs. cold. You may have to think outside the box and even try using syringes or shot glasses to take small sips of liquid. Keep experimenting with tiny portions in your hyperemesis gravidarum diet. It may seem tedious and pointless but one spoonful of food that stays down is better than an entire meal that comes back up.

Everything You Need to Know About Postpartum Anxiety — .

I know the pain of hyperemesis gravidarum all too well having battled it with all three of my pregnancies.

It’s easy to avoid eating all together in an effort to avoid vomiting when that’s all you’ve been doing for weeks. But starvation, dehydration and malnutrition are far worse things to struggle with than vomiting. Chances are, you will never be able to eat properly throughout a hyperemesis gravidarum pregnancy, instead you will spend the entire 9 months simply “trying to eat.”

Have these hyperemesis gravidarum diet tips helped you? Leave a comment down below!

The pregnancy symptom that has been making headlines is one that I have personally experienced not once or twice but three times!

It’s more than just an extreme case of morning sickness – it’s a debilitating condition that I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy. This intense sickness is so life altering that it affects not only a pregnant woman, but also those closest to her. In addition to a constant state of nausea and uncontrollable vomiting, there are so many other side effects that can leave a pregnant woman out of commission for nearly the entire pregnancy.

While there is very little relief or treatment for women with hyperemesis gravidarum, there are several things loved ones can do to help make her 9 months of hell a little less unbearable…

14 Ways to Help a Woman with Hyperemesis Gravidarum — *This post contains affiliate links which means that if you click on one of these links and buy a product, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Rest assured that I only recommend products that I love from companies that I trust. Furthermore, I am not a medical professional and nothing in this post should be taken as medical advice. I am simply a mother who has been there and lived to tell the tale.

1. Don’t call it “morning sickness”

Hyperemesis gravidarum is not just morning sickness on steroids. Don’t expect to understand what she’s going through even if you had “really bad” morning sickness. Hyperemesis gravidarum is completely debilitating and women who suffer from it are often unable to function, even hospitalized, so comparing her condition to the nausea and vomiting that 90% of pregnant women experience is kind of insulting.

2. Know the symptoms

The symptoms will be the same as those of morning sickness at first. But if she starts vomiting more than 10 times a day and is unable to keep down any food at all then it’s a warning sign. Watch for signs of dehydration, anemia and low blood pressure which could all indicate that she’ll need additional treatment.

For a complete list of the signs and symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum check out Web MD or The American Pregnancy Association.

3. Believe her

A lot of people believe that nausea is a “mind over matter” situation. And while the embarrassing thought of vomiting in a public place is enough to cause any women severe anxiety, it’s not the reason why she’s nauseated. Don’t assume that she’s just being dramatic. Believe that her pain is real and don’t expect her to suck it up and go on with her day.

Miscarriage: Moving On Doesn't Mean Forgetting — .

4. Don’t offer her crackers and ginger ale

Whatever home remedy you can think of for nausea and vomiting – she’s tried it. Offering the simplest solution that most people suggest for simple cases of morning sickness is insulting to a woman with HG. Sufferers of hyperemesis gravidarum are usually unable to keep any food or liquid down at all, so while your intentions might be good, it’s important to realize that crackers and ginger ale just won’t cut it. They need much more extreme solutions and usually end up hospitalized with an IV for dehydration or a feeding tube up their nose.

5. Choose unscented

Women with hyperemesis gravidarum have an extremely heightened sense of smell. Anything that’s too strong (even if it’s their favorite scent) will make their nausea worse. Products designed to cover up bad smells, such as bath and body products, hand soaps, deodorant or air fresheners can make the situation worse. Switch to unscented products or skip them all together.

6. NO SMOKING

The smell of cigarette smoke is the most offensive one for a women with hyperemesis gravidarum. You may think you’re being kind enough by not subjecting her to second hand smoke but bear in mind that some women with hyperemesis gravidarum can smell it from 100 feet away depending on which way the wind blows. They can also smell it on your clothing, skin and hair so if you’re smoker – either consider quitting (recommended) or keep a very far distance.

Nicorette Nicotine Gum Ultra Fresh Mint 2mg — well.ca

7. Keep stinky foods away

While salami and blue cheese might be your preferred bedtime snack, it’s a death wish for a women with hyperemesis gravidarum. Any foods that have a strong smell should be kept out of her house or wrapped tightly enough that she doesn’t detect it. The smell of cooking, especially frying, or anything with onions, garlic or heavily seasoned foods is also a big no-no in the home of a women with hyperemesis gravidarum.

8. Hide while you eat

If you can’t cook or bring home your favorite foods then what’s a person to do? Just because she can’t eat doesn’t mean you don’t have to – just don’t do it in front of her.

Despite the fact that she can’t eat and that all food and the smell of food makes her vomit – she can’t help but fantasize about all the food she wants to eat. She is starving but still experiencing all the same pregnancy cravings, so watching someone else eat food that she so desperately wants is just plain torture.

Eat in the car, eat before you come home or while she’s sleeping but please, don’t eat in front of her!

9. Experiment with liquids

Keeping down food while suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum is next to impossible. The trick is to find things that are high in nutrients and can be absorbed by the body quickly so that even if she can keep it down for a few minutes before vomiting, she will still experience some of the benefits and hopefully stave off dehydration.

Soup is a tried and true option but sometimes hot food can irritate the stomach. Blended soups are normally preferred over chunky ones and the fewer aromatic ingredients, the better.

One of the best solutions is fresh juiced vegetables and fruit. The store bought juices often contain too much sugar which also irritates the stomach, but if you have a juicer or blender, make her some out of vegetables and fruit. Play around with combinations that appeal to her – some women find lemon and citrus very soothing for nausea – while others can’t handle the acidity.

Another great solution for a liquid based diet is protein packed meal replacement drinks. There are so many different flavors, brands and varieties to choose from, that there’s bound to be one she can stomach. Popular favorites are the Ensure Shakes and Vega Smoothies.

Vega Choc-a-lot Protein Smoothie — well.ca

10. Let her sleep

If I could have crawled into a cave and hibernated for 9 months while growing my babies that’s what I would have done. Sleeping and vomiting are the only two constants while battling hyperemesis gravidarum. Most likely she will be taking some type of anti-emetic medications that will make her extremely drowsy. Factor in that she will have absolutely no energy thanks to her zero calorie intake and sleep will be all that she will be able to do. Even sitting upright and watching television will require energy that she doesn’t have to spare. So let her sleep – because at least if she’s asleep, she’s not vomiting.

12 Thoughtful Gift Ideas for the Sleep Deprived Mom — .

11. Give her a massage

With all of that time in bed and the fact that she’s on the verge of dehydration, she will find her muscles in a state of atrophy. This often results in leg cramps and back spasms. A massage every once in a while will help with blood flow. There are also several acupressure points that can help ease up nausea. If you’re not great with your hands, then you can book her a pregnancy massage with her favorite spa!

11 Surprising Side Effects of Hyperemesis Gravidarum — .

12. Avoid the road less traveled

Nausea is nausea whether it’s motion sickness or hyperemesis gravidarum. If you’re driving her around take care to avoid bumpy roads and sharp turns. Even if she’s never had motion sickness before – the now delicate state of her stomach will make every movement feel like an internal earthquake. Make sure to pack vomit bags for the car ride and prepare to have to pull over several times.

Get a 12 pack of these awesome travel nausea bags on Amazon!

13. Stand by her

Literally. Standing up for any amount of time is a bad idea for a woman with hyperemesis gravidarum. Low blood pressure, low sugar levels and near starvation almost definitely means she will faint. If she needs to stand, stay close by and give her an arm to lean on for support. If she feels faint, elevate her legs to help the blood rush back to her head.

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE OF ALL…

14. Clean the toilet

This is where a woman with hyperemesis gravidarum will spend the majority of her time. Some women can vomit up to 100 times in a single day. And the absolute last thing she will want to do after all that is clean. There is nothing, I repeat – NOTHING, more meaningful to her than to have someone else clean the toilet.

Nature Clean Toilet Bowl Cleaner — well.ca

For more information and support, visit the HER Foundation [Hyperemesis Education & Research] at www.helpher.org.

www.helpHER.org

Bonus Tip: Twins?

A common myth about a hyperemesis pregnancy is that it’s a sign of twins. I promise you that it’s not true. Women suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum while pregnant with one baby can be just as sick as a woman with hyperemesis carrying twins or more.

So don’t tell her it might be twins, I guarantee it won’t help.

For more information on twin pregnancies, check out this infographic from TwinStuff.com

A twin pregnancy is different from a regular pregnancy in a lot of ways. It means your body will have to accommodate two fetuses, which means you can grow larger and heavier than when you’re having a singleton pregnancy. But, more than the evident differences, a twin pregnancy also means additional stress, morning sickness, and prenatal visits, among others.

The best way to have a healthy twin pregnancy is to know what is in store for you. This infographic does exactly that – to guide you on a week-by-week basis of the changes you will go through over the nine months. Plus, it also provides tips on how you can take care of yourself and your babies as you go through these changes.

In this infographic, you will learn about taking prenatal vitamins and supplements at the start of the first trimester. It will also provide timely suggestions such as talking about names for your twins at 14 weeks into the twin pregnancy. By the time you reach your last trimester, it will then show you that you may experience possible fatigue among many other signs. The infographic is aimed to help you prepare yourself physically and emotionally.

Whether you are a first-time expectant mom or not, the experience of a twin pregnancy will definitely be different for you. Although it does not necessarily mean double everything, you will undergo enhanced or increased symptoms. This infographic will apprise you of all these possible changes as well as give you a heads up and some tips and suggestions from day 1 to delivery.

Tag: remedies for morning sickness

The Hyperemesis Gravidarum Diet: How to Eat When You Can’t Eat