Family & friends
The person you love is sicker than you think.
HG is not morning sickness. It is months of unrelenting vomiting, dehydration, weight loss, and isolation. Here is what actually helps — and what to stop saying.
01 / Five things that actually help
How to show up without making it harder.
- 01
Take over the things she cannot smell
Cooking, dishes, the fridge, the trash. Smell is the single biggest trigger. Eat in another room if you have to.
- 02
Track fluids and weight
Write down what she keeps down and when. Weigh once a day, same scale. A 5% loss from pre-pregnancy weight is an ER trigger.
- 03
Drive to appointments — and stay in the room
Bring the HG Companion summary. Repeat the symptoms back to the clinician. Patients with HG are routinely under-treated when alone.
- 04
Manage the medication schedule
Antiemetics work best on a fixed schedule, not as needed. Set alarms. Refill before the bottle is empty.
- 05
Protect her from advice
Field the texts. Mute the group chat. 'Just eat crackers' is not help — it's harm.
Call the OB or go to the ER when
- · No urination for 8+ hours
- · No fluids kept down for 12+ hours
- · Weight loss > 5% of pre-pregnancy weight
- · Dizziness, fainting, confusion
- · Blood in vomit
- · HELP Score in the severe band