Kate’s condition bodes well for baby

UMass Medical School expert offers tips for expectant mothers dealing with extreme morning sickness

News that a pregnant Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, was hospitalized with severe nausea and vomiting has moms around the world sharing their own morning sickness horror stories, but one UMass Medical School expert says the condition does usually signal a happy ending.

“One good thing about women who have hyperemesis gravidarum is that you can reassure them that it is a sign of a normal pregnancy, a strong pregnancy,” said Ellen Delpapa, MD, clinical associate professor of obstetrics & gynecology. “We know that it is less likely that you’re going to have a miscarriage if you have hyperemesis gravidarum. It’s a good sign, although when you’re going through it, it doesn’t always feel so good.”

The former Kate Middleton, 30, was discharged from a London hospital on Thursday, Dec. 6, after showing improvement from the acute morning sickness that caused her to be hospitalized for three days. In this Expert’s Corner video, Dr. Delpapa explains how this condition differs from typical morning sickness and how it’s treated.