A first-time pregnant mom experienced the most severe morning sickness, medically known as hyperemesis gravidarum, that had her vomiting 60 times a day.
Stacey Teakle became pregnant at 28 years old in 2020 and had to be hospitalized when she dropped to almost 45 pounds after her typical morning sickness became severe. A medical team had to monitor her health and ensure that she doesn't get dehydrated.
Speaking with Daily Mail, Teakle said that her hyperemesis gravidarum had dashed her dreams of having a large family because her experience left her traumatized. Teakle suffers from the same pregnancy condition as Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, actress Mandy Moore, and comedian Amy Schumer.
However, unlike most pregnant moms whose severe morning sickness resolves after the first trimester of the pregnancy, Teakle still had dizzy and fainting spells and risked dehydration even in the seventh month.
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Baby Ophelia, the best gift, was born healthy
In September 2020, Teakle and her husband, Sam, welcomed their daughter, Ophelia. Teakle said that she loves being a mother to their baby, who has been the best thing to happen in her life, per Wales Online.
However, Teakle could not shake off her awful pregnancy, and she recalled how the slightest thing could trigger her to vomit, even water. Her body descended into starvation mode to protect her organs. She suffered issues with her gallbladder but became too weak to get out of bed, so Sam had to take her to the bathroom if she needed to use the shower or the toilet.
On the 20th week of her pregnancy, Teakle was given more medication. In the final months of her pregnancy term, she needed to take 19 medications, including steroids, regularly.
To make matters worse, she was in the hospital during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak. She couldn't have visitors and nearly had a mental breakdown because she could not connect with family and friends.
Fortunately, Ophelia was born a healthy baby despite her low blood sugar. The newborn had to be admitted to intensive care but was eventually released with her mother. After the birth, Teakle felt better instantly and celebrated by eating sausages and mashed potatoes.
"The first thing I said when I woke up was 'I don't feel sick anymore,'" the mom said. "It was just suddenly gone as if it was never there."
Hyperemesis gravidarum therapies to improve mom's suffering
About eight in 10 pregnant women will experience morning sickness, but only .5 to 2 percent of pregnant moms will experience hyperemesis gravidarum, per RareDisease.Org. Because the mother frequently vomits, doctors advise against food intake through the mouth. Thus, they must be hospitalized to receive intravenous fluids and electrolytes from infused medication.
A 2022 study cited hyperemesis gravidarum being linked to an appetite hormone gene, GDF15, and the placenta. Research is underway to develop novel treatments and therapies that may help block certain pathways that trigger the symptoms. Some studies also cited that the condition may be triggered by nutritional deficiencies, such as thiamine depletion or increased thyroxine levels.
Teakle's advice for mothers with hyperemesis gravidarum is to seek medical help because they will need the guidance of doctors and nurses to surpass this condition.
"You should have someone there who can fight for you," the new mom said.
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