The main signs and symptoms are severe nausea, frequent vomiting, increased salivation, and a loss of appetite, with few to no symptom-free days; symptoms usually begin around 6 weeks of gestation. This can lead to weight loss, electrolyte imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, and symptoms of dehydration such as dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, lethargy, decreased urination, and heart palpitations.[1] Frequent vomiting can cause damage to the esophagus, and in very serious cases, prolonged nutritional deficiencies and electrolyte imbalances, which can cause neurological and cardiovascular damage or even maternal and fetal death; however, these grave outcomes are increasingly rare with access to medical treatments.[2] Although most symptoms resolve around 20 weeks of gestation, some people have nausea and vomiting until the third trimester or even until delivery.[3][4]
Hyperemesis gravidarum can also have psychosocial impacts, such as reduced quality of life, depression, anxiety, inability to work or perform daily activities, job loss, fear of future pregnancies, and even considering or actually terminating the current pregnancy.[5][6][7] These negative effects on mental health can persist into the post-partum period, sometimes causing post-traumatic stress disorder.[8]