World Preeclampsia Day 2022

Even though not well understood, there are some signs that there is a relationship between) Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG and preeclampsia.

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HG Impact: Liz

I’m pregnant with my second baby right now. My first pregnancy was a healthy, and I wasn’t expecting Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) at all!

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Amy Schumer Joins HER’s Board of Directors

The HER Foundation is thrilled to announce that Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-nominated standup comedian, actress, writer, producer, and director Amy Schumer will join the HER Foundation’s Board of Directors. 

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HG Awareness Month 2022: #HGimpact

The HER Foundation is the global voice of HG, and we are proud to celebrate the 11th annual HG Awareness Day on May 15th. Throughout the month of May, the international *hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) community is educating about #HGimpact! Together, we are changing the future for the next generation.

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BJOG publishes HER/USC study on the genetics of HG

The HER Foundation continues the breakthroughs with publication of “Whole-exome sequencing uncovers new variants in GDF15 associated with hyperemesis gravidarum” in BJOG.

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2022 HG Challenge to Educate

We invite our community to take Provider Packets of resources to a hospital, clinic, or practice with your personal story and passion will make a difference.

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Aijia Grammer in hospital bed for treatment

What is HG?

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) does not look the same for every patient. Learn about the severity levels.

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Dr. Fejzo is featured in Inverse

Dr. Marlena Fejzo, geneticist and HER’s Research Advisor and member of the Board of Directors, was featured in the Inverse article, “When morning sickness kills: doctors have dismissed hyperemesis gravidarum for decades, but new researc could undo this harmful legacy.”

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Complications Secondary to Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is not self-limiting, and its impact can last a lifetime for mothers and their children. Until there is recognition of this fact and comprehensive, universal, effective treatment for all HG patients, every level of society will continue to face the costs of HG.

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Levels of Medication for Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Individual response to Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) medication varies due to many factors including genetics and hydration. If a patient is vomiting constantly, oral dosing of medications will likely be ineffective and alternates such as sublingual, transdermal (patch/cream), subcutaneous (subQ), intravenous (IV), or other routes should be considered along with hydration.

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Show the Impact

Help the HER Foundation show HG’s impact in May. Share your photos of HG treatments and challenges, so we can educate about what hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is really like!

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Why HG Patients Need More Thiamin than Their Healthy Counterparts

We frequently receive questions about why HG patients need more thiamin than their healthy counterparts. A pregnant Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) patient cannot eat a nutrient rich diet and may not be able to eat at all. A healthy pregnant patient can eat a nutrient rich diet that includes a variety of foods.

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Nausea Strategies

While some medications target vomiting (ondansetron/Zofran), there are no medications that specifically target nausea. Some medications used to treat Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) may help reduce nausea but rarely will medications eliminate all nausea. Since there are numerous causes of nausea, treating as many as possible is most effective. This list of strategies may help reduce nausea depending on what is triggering symptoms. None works for everyone, but each may help a little.

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Why we do what we do!

The HER Foundation’s staff, clinicians and referral coordinator volunteer many hours each year to respond to thousands of emails, messages, and calls for help with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). This is core to our mission, and we want to share why we want to expand this service. Enjoy these heartwarming messages and stories.

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HER Psychosocial Research

The HER Foundation’s breakthrough psychosocial study shows that Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is not self limiting and has societal implications.

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Dr. Marlena Fejzo

2021 HG Research: A Summary

2021 has been a busy year for HER research, and we’re finding answers to your questions about Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). We’ve had papers published and given presentations. We also have papers under review in scientific journals, abstracts being reviewed for presentation at ACOG, new studies being kicked-off, and we are continuing ongoing research projects.

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How can I connect with others who understand HG?

Along with good medical care, surviving Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) means finding others who understand. Here are some ways to make connections. Facebook Support Groups The HER Foundation offers multiple support groups on Facebook. Even when the platform is the same, the groups are not. Every Facebook support group will develop a culture and tone all…

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HER Board Members Lead Study at USC

HER Board members, Marlena Fejzo, PhD, and Patrick Mullen, MD, are running the first study of GDF15 in HG patients in the United States.

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Steps of Self Advocacy

We created this tool to help guide HG patients through the steps of self advocacy.

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Marlena Fejzo, PhD, presents on HER’s genetic research at ASHG Annual Meeting 2021

Marlena Fejzo, PhD, HER Board Member and Research Advisor, presents at the American Society of Human Genetics Annual Meeting on the genetics of Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG).

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mom and meds

Research Summary: Safety of Ondansetron (Zofran) in Pregnancy

Read the latest research on the safety of ondansetron (Zofran) in an HG pregnancy.

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How to Support an Employee with HG or other High Risk Complications of Pregnancy

Dozens of mothers bravely raised their voices about the obstacles that prohibited them from being healthy, productive employees during their pregnancies, including insufficient job security and a lack of compassion from employers. We compiled their responses to make a succinct list employers can refer to when attempting to support employees with HG or other high risk pregnancy complications. 

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Top 5 Ways to reduce trauma in an HG pregnancy

Trauma from Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) cannot be prevented. The HER team believes the following tips will give you the best chance of being prepared for HG in a subsequent pregnancy. Top 5 Ways to Reduce Trauma in a Subsequent HG Pregnancy: 1. Create an HG Protocol that takes account what worked and didn’t work in…

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Treating PTSD after HG

Just like with any trauma, the severity of impact depends on how the individual person experiences HG and any prior history of trauma. This is why preventative care, such as accurate education and support, can make the difference between a woman (or caregiver) resolving and integrating their traumatic experience or developing PTSD (or Complex PTSD)…

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New HG Tools!

In honor of HG Awareness Month 2021, we are launching a new Patient Treatment Brochure and have expanded our HG treatment algorithm.

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Takiyah’s HG Truth

I was first diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) in 2007-2008 with my first pregnancy. Unfortunately, I didn’t have all the resources I do now or the knowledge of what to expect. Due to HG and ptyalism, I couldn’t keep food nor water down. I suffered from heart palpitations throughout the pregnancy due to a heart…

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Dr. Fejzo speaks at the Fetal Medicine Foundation

Dr. Marlena Fejzo, a geneticist at the University of Southern California and a HER Foundation Board of Directors, presented at the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) about Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), its potential causes, and treatment options. Over 5600 medical professionals heard her speak, and the talk is freely available on the FMF’s website in English, Spanish, Russian, and Portuguese.

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Help Eliminate Preventable Complications of HG

The devastating complications of HG are numerous, the silver lining is that a great many of them are preventable with timely, effective, adequate medical care. To this end, the HER Foundation launched the 1 MOM Is 2 Many campaign.

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The vomiting won’t stop. When to call a health professional.

When do HG patients call their doctor?

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Do I need fluids?

After vomiting for 2-3 weeks and eating very little, women need IV vitamins including a multivitamin (MVI), and B complex (or at least thiamin). Sometimes this is forgotten, so make sure to ask about it, it is very important! B vitamins are most critical as they are depleted rapidly, especially in the presence of a high carbohydrate (e.g. sugar) diet, and come from foods not often craved during pregnancy.

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New Research Published: HELP Score

The HER Foundation publishes a new study demonstrating the effectiveness of the HyperEmesis Level Prediction (HELP) Score in identifying pregnant women with severe symptoms of NVP.

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AmazonSmile is now available on the mobile app!

AmazonSmile is now available on your mobile app! Every time you shop online, a portion of your purchase can support our work to help families facing HG.

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Kimber MacGibbon during filming for Expecting Amy

The HER Foundation consulted about Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) for Expecting Amy

We’ve held it in for over a year, but now the exciting HG news is out! The HER Foundation was consulted about Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) for Amy Schumer’s docuseries, Expecting Amy. Directed by Alexander Hammer, the three part docuseries tells the story of Schumer’s marriage, comedy tour, and HG pregnancy. This series brings light to…

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Top 5 Things an HG Mom Needs

What are the top 5 things HG Moms need? Mom needs a lot of rest. A quiet, trigger free room is important.  Support and compassion make a difference. HG is very isolating and traumatic. Love and support from family and friends can ease her suffering. This is not a woman’s fault: HG is in her…

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HG Impact: Shola

I felt depressed a lot because I was dealing with my sickness by myself, but I was able to find an online support system through the HER Foundation and meet other women experiencing the same difficulties. I did not feel alone.

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What to Say

Sometimes it’s difficult knowing what to say to HG patients. These lists come from the HER Foundation’s community.

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World Autism Awareness Day

April 2, 2022, is World Autism Awareness Day. At the HER Foundation, we light up kindness and wear blue in support of understanding and acceptance for people with autism. Children born after an HG pregnancy have an increased risk of an autism diagnosis, and we are grateful for each of these children.

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HER has been making HERstory since 2000

The HER Foundation has been making HG history since 2000. In honor of Women’s History Month, we introduce the four women who have been with HER since the beginning.

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