So Your Misses Got Hyperemesis (Gravidarum)

As I’ve mentioned, in hyperemesis, the greatest danger is dehydration. A pregnant woman needs to drink 68 oz / 2 liters of water a day (10-15 cups), or she risks dehydration, which can lead to premature labor and other risks.

As the supporting partner, you’ll need to recognize when your wife is becoming dehydrated and take her quickly to the hospital or clinic to receive IV fluids.

How can you recognize such a situation? Here are some guidelines:

• Your wife hasn’t drank anything all day? Take her to the ER for an IV.
• Your wife is having a day with lots of vomiting? Take her to the ER for an IV.
• Your wife is becoming weak and struggling to move her body? Take her to the ER for an IV.
• Your wife is becoming unfocused or confused? Take her to the ER for an IV.
• Your wife’s body temperature is rising? Take her to the ER for an IV.
• Your wife’s voice is becoming faint? Take her to the ER for an IV.
• Your wife is struggling to finish sentences? Take her to the ER for an IV.
• Your wife can’t eat normally? Take her to the ER for an IV.

In other words, if your wife is struggling to drink, vomiting frequently, becoming weak, or losing focus – take her to the ER because she likely needs IV fluids!

Note: Early detection of dehydration can save both your wife and baby, and prevent irreversible damage to both. There is no room for flexibility here. Better to be cautious than to regret it. If you notice your wife is showing any of the signs of dehydration, take her to the ER immediately.

Unfortunately, we didn’t recognize in time that she needed to go to the ER for fluids. And that brings me to our story.