Some things about pregnancy have nothing to do with genetics. For example, if your mother had a son first, that doesn’t mean you will have a son first. Or if your mother had a ten pound baby, that doesn’t necessarily mean you will have a ten pound baby. Just because your mother had to have a c-section doesn’t mean you will, too. The list goes on! But, some things are linked to genetics. It turns out that if your mother suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum, your risk of developing the same debilitating morning sickness is three times the normal rate. A recent study done by Norwegian researchers on 2.3 million births found an increased rate of hyperemesis gravidarum among women whose mothers had also suffered the condition.
About two percent of women suffer from this severe form morning sickness, which leads to dehydration, weight loss, and can land a woman in the hospital. The condition may last for the duration of the pregnancy. Hyperemesis gravidarum needs to be treated for the health of the baby and the mother. There are treatments available today that are safe for the baby; they are not like the drugs of the past which were linked to birth defects. If a woman knows she is at increased risk because of a family history, she can work with her doctor to better prepare for it.
Interestingly enough, this is not the first pregnancy condition to be linked to genetics. Previously it has been found that high blood pressure and gestational diabetes during pregnancy may also be passed down from mother to daughter. These correlations allow researchers to better understand why these conditions arise in the first place and may assist with treatment in the future as well.
Do you currently suffer – or have you suffered – from hyperemesis gravidarum? Did your mother suffer the same condition?