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The HG reference, written by people who actually had it.

Built on the HER Foundation HELP Score and the published PUQE-24 instrument. Plain language. No "just eat crackers."

01 / The essentials

Start with these four.

Definition

HG is not morning sickness.

Persistent nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, weight loss ≥ 5% of pre-pregnancy weight, dehydration, ketonuria, and inability to keep down food or fluids. It has diagnostic criteria. It has a treatment ladder. It is a medical condition, not a personality.

Read the full guide
Red flags

When to go to the ER.

Inability to keep fluids down for 12+ hours, dark urine or no urination for 8+ hours, dizziness or fainting, weight loss greater than 5% of pre-pregnancy weight, blood in vomit, or a HELP Score in the severe band.

ER checklist
Treatment

The medication ladder.

Pyridoxine + doxylamine → ondansetron → promethazine / metoclopramide → corticosteroids → IV hydration and nutrition. HG-literate clinicians follow a recognizable stepwise protocol — and so should yours.

Open treatment protocol
Scoring

How clinicians measure severity.

PUQE-24 for the last 24 hours of nausea, vomiting, and retching. The HER Foundation HELP Score for overall severity including weight loss, hospitalization, and quality of life. Use both — they answer different questions.

Score your severity