Most people have heard of “morning sickness.”

But hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is something entirely different.

And unless you’ve experienced it yourself — or watched someone you love go through it — it can be very hard to fully understand just how physically and emotionally exhausting it can be.

In recent years, public figures like Catherine, Princess of Wales, Amy Schumer, Kim Kardashian, and Mandy Moore have all helped bring more awareness to hyperemesis by openly sharing their own experiences.

Hyperemesis Is More Than Feeling Sick

Hyperemesis gravidarum (often shortened to HG) is a severe pregnancy sickness condition that can cause:

• constant nausea
• repeated vomiting
• dehydration
• weight loss (I lost just over 10kg through my 2nd pregnancy because of HG)
• dizziness
• difficulty eating or drinking
• exhaustion and weakness

For some people, it can mean being unable to:

• get out of bed
• look at food
• drive
• work
• care for themselves normally
• function day-to-day

And unlike typical pregnancy nausea, it often doesn’t stop after the morning.

It can last all day.
And sometimes well beyond the first trimester…for me it was seven and a half months.

It Can Feel Very Isolating

One of the hardest parts about hyperemesis is how invisible it can be.

From the outside, people may only see:

“pregnancy sickness.”

But internally, it can feel relentless. You constantly feel trapped in survival mode, emotionally depleted, guilty for not functioning normally, scared something is wrong and completely disconnected from the pregnancy experience you wanted and expected.

And because pregnancy sickness is often normalised, going through HG can sometimes feel dismissed or misunderstood – I know I did.

Comments like:

• “Have you tried ginger?”
• “Morning sickness is just part of pregnancy.”
• “At least you know the baby is healthy.”

…while usually well intended, can feel incredibly invalidating when you’re struggling just to get through the day.

Practical Ways to Support Someone With Hyperemesis

The good news is you don’t need to (and honestly can’t) “fix” it to support someone well.

Often, the most helpful thing is simply making life feel a little easier while they survive a very difficult season.

Believe Them

This sounds simple, but it matters enormously.

Hyperemesis is physically and emotionally draining. Trust that if someone says they are struggling, they probably are in ways you can’t imagine.

Don’t Minimise It

Avoid comparing it to normal nausea or offering endless remedies.

Most people with HG have already tried:

• crackers
• ginger
• dry toast
• peppermint
• small meals
• literally every suggestion imaginable…we Google anything and everything to make even the smallest difference!

What they usually need most is compassion, not another tip.

Help With Everyday Tasks

Small practical support can make a huge difference.

Things like:

• dropping off groceries
• helping with other children
• cleaning
• walking the dog
• bringing meals, easy snacks or drinks – anything they’ll eat or drink at the time
• sitting with them during appointments

can feel enormous when someone barely has energy to shower.

Understand That Plans May Change

Hyperemesis can be unpredictable.

Some days may feel slightly manageable.
Other days may feel impossible.

Cancelling plans, not replying to messages, or withdrawing socially is often about survival — not lack of care…and this was 100% me! Even now to this day I feel like I’m still trying to find my feet after such a big, tough journey.

Emotional Support Matters Too

Pregnancy can already feel emotionally overwhelming.

Adding constant sickness, exhaustion, fear, and isolation on top of that can deeply impact mental health – and that’s all BEFORE the birth.

Sometimes support simply sounds like:

• “This looks really hard.”
• “You don’t need to push through.”
• “How can I help today?”
• “You’re doing an amazing job.”

Feeling seen matters.

And If You’re Currently Going Through It…

You’re not alone.

As someone who has personally gone through hyperemesis, I can honestly say it was one of the hardest and most isolating experiences of my life.

There were vomit bags everywhere.
Medication that didn’t always work.
I was trying to survive full-time work while barely functioning.
There were daily hospital visits at home.
Bags of fluids given every second day.
And new cannulas inserted every four days.

It was exhausting physically, mentally, and emotionally. Some days felt endless. Some days felt impossible. And unless someone has truly experienced hyperemesis, it can be difficult to explain just how consuming it becomes.

It’s not just “bad morning sickness.”
It can completely take over your ability to function, think clearly, enjoy pregnancy, or even recognise yourself for a while.

So if you’re currently in the middle of it, please know this:

You are not weak.
You are not failing.
And you are absolutely not alone.

Sometimes surviving hour by hour is enough.

And while it was one of the most difficult seasons of my life, it was also worth every single second for our baby girl.

And if your pregnancy experience doesn’t look joyful, glowing, or exciting right now — that’s okay too.

You are still doing an incredible job.

---

For gentle pregnancy preparation resources designed to make overwhelming seasons feel a little more organised, you can browse our printable collection at The Little Papier Co. Etsy Shop