Millions of women around the world face debilitating nausea and vomiting while pregnant. Morning sickness and the condition’s most severe form – Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) – afflict a staggering 70% to 80% of all pregnant women. So, what can be done to help women enjoy a happier, less uncomfortable pregnancy?
We explore how hypnotherapy can help soon-to-be mothers not only deal with morning sickness but also confront the awful effects of HG simply, safely and effectively. In this post, we share the story of one mom, who, after enduring the pain of her HG-riddled first pregnancy, transformed her second in a short time through hypnotherapy.
What is morning sickness and Hyperemesis Gravidarum?
Pregnancy causes the body to change drastically, affecting many systems, organs and bodily functions. While the exact causes of morning sickness are unknown, it is believed that the condition is related to changes – related to pregnancy – in blood pressure, sugar levels and hormones.
Morning sickness
Morning sickness afflicts most pregnant women, causing feelings of nausea and vomiting to occur during pregnancy. In spite of its name, morning sickness can strike at any time of the day, disrupting routines and causing stress, embarrassment and anxiety.
Morning sickness usually begins within the first month of pregnancy (sometimes being the first tell-tale sign of a bun growing in the oven) and generally subsides around the 14th to 16th week in the second trimester.
There is no known cure for morning sickness, and many moms point to morning sickness as the most difficult part of early pregnancy.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)
Some women must endure severe nausea and vomiting right through their entire pregnancy. This extreme form of morning sickness, called Hyperemesis Gravidarum, or ‘HG’, is rare, affecting just 1% to 2% of pregnant women, and it can have serious consequences on the mother, including:
- Significant weight loss
- Nutritional deficiencies (for both mom and child)
- Fluid abnormalities
- Acid-base imbalances
- Depression and anxiety
- And even life-threatening complications
Meet Mary* – A victim of HG
Mary’s first pregnancy was tough. From the 3rd week of being pregnant, she was afflicted by Hyperemesis Gravidarum, enduring severe nausea and vomiting up to the day she gave birth. So severe was her condition, that she was hospitalised after losing 6kg – a shocking 10% of her pre-pregnancy body weight – in less than a month.
Although the medicine helped, Mary was unwell throughout the duration of her pregnancy, unable to keep food down and faced with near-constant feelings of nausea. Naturally, what was supposed to be a happy time in her life was quickly turning into a difficult one.
Fearing HG for a second time
When Mary fell pregnant again, her immediate concern was that she would have to face another nine months of pain and anguish. Her fears were realised when she once again began vomiting and living with near-constant nausea.
Knowing that nothing had worked previously and with nothing new working to quell the discomfort, Mary and her partner didn’t know what to do. Then, they decided to try a different approach.
A happier, more comfortable pregnancy
Having tried almost everything, Mary turned to hypnotherapy to combat her Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Unsure of whether hypnosis would work at all, Mary approached Hypnocare, known for delivering results for people struggling with all manner of challenges and problems.
After just two sessions, Mary’s life changed! In an instant, her HG was under control; she felt tremendously better and was suddenly able to do the things she had wanted to do as a pregnant mom but couldn’t previously due to her condition. Most importantly, her young son could finally enjoy special time with his mother without asking if the baby was going to make her sick.
Mary felt like a new person, with a fresh outlook on her pregnancy and a happy excitement in having her condition now under control.
Why hypnotherapy works for morning sickness and HG
Since it is unknown what causes morning sickness and HG, there exist very few treatments and medications to deal with these conditions. While blood pressure management, dietary supplements and nausea medication can mitigate the effects of the ailment, alternative therapies have become popular choices.
Hypnotherapy allows people to address issues of the mind, using relaxation, affirmations and positive thought processes to address the causes of physical ailments. This alleviates anxiety, allowing the subconscious to play a prominent role in affecting feelings, emotions and even perceptions of physical pain.
In the case of morning sickness and Hyperemesis Gravidarum, hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for helping pregnant women take control of the feelings of discomfort and nausea, giving them the tools and mechanisms needed to manage the condition.
How Hypnocare can help you have a happier pregnancy
At Hypnocare, we understand that happy moms are healthy moms. Whether dealing with light morning sickness in your first trimester or facing the threat of a full pregnancy weighed down by constant nausea and vomiting, we can help.
Our experienced resident therapist is trained to provide moms with the hypnotherapy techniques and practices that will help them overcome one of the most difficult aspects of pregnancy.
In the words of Mary herself:
“Thank you, Linda, you have changed my life. I know that sounds dramatic, but words cannot describe how much I appreciate how you have helped not only me but my family!”
– Mary
Contact us today, and discover how we can help you enjoy a happier pregnancy.
*Name changed to protect client privacy
