Pregnancy is not easy. It is physically taxing, emotionally exhausting and mentally draining, but for some, pregnancy is extra tough thanks to complications like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. And first-time mom-to-be Amy Schumer knows all about these struggles: She recently revealed she is dealing with a rare pregnancy condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum.
More: What Is Hyperemesis Gravidarum?
Schumer shared her story on Instagram, but not before apologizing to fans in Texas — where she was forced to cancel her scheduled comedy show on Thursday.
“Texas I am so deeply sorry,” Schumer wrote. “I have been really looking forward to these shows. I have to reschedule. I am in the hospital. I’m fine. Baby’s fine but everyone who says the 2nd trimester is better is not telling the full story. I’ve been even more ill this trimester.”
Schumer then went on to explain the reason for her illness and hospitalization: “I have hyperemesis and it blows. Very lucky to be pregnant but this is some bullshit!”
According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, hyperemesis gravidarum is a “rare disorder characterized by severe and persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that may necessitate hospitalization.” In fact, it is estimated the condition affects less than 2 percent of all pregnant individuals — and the most famous case of hyperemesis may be Kate Middleton. (The Duchess of Cambridge had hyperemesis during all three of her pregnancies.) And while the condition is rare, those who are diagnosed with hyperemesis struggle, as they often “experience dehydration, vitamin and mineral deficit, and the loss of greater than five percent of their original body weight.”
And while morning sickness is a normal part of pregnancy — starting as early as four to six weeks after a person’s last period and usually peaking around the first 10 weeks of pregnancy — hyperemesis gravidarum is something different, Dr. Lisa Masterson, an OB-GYN, tells SheKnows.
“For most women, [morning sickness] symptoms are resolved by 14 to 16 weeks,” she explains. “However, for some women, these symptoms will continue throughout their entire pregnancy. If you’re suffering from morning sickness, timely treatment is essential, as it could prevent your symptoms from getting worse. Delaying treatment may lead to weight loss and dehydration, which could require hospitalization. So talk to your health care provider as soon as possible about any morning sickness symptoms you’re experiencing. He or she will suggest diet and lifestyle changes to help you manage your symptoms.”
More: Giving Birth to a Boy Is More Likely to Lead to Postpartum Depression
The good news is that, according to the American Pregnancy Association, the condition is manageable with medication, bed rest acupressure and, when necessary, the administration of intravenous fluids. It is also temporary, at least in most cases. More than 80 percent of women with hyperemesis feel relief between 14 and 20 weeks according to the APA, and we hope Schumer is one of the lucky ones. Truly, we do. Because, as Schumer said, hyperemesis blows: It literally and figuratively blows.
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