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Hyperemesis: When to Go to Hospital - Complete UK Guide

Knowing When Home Treatment Is Not Enough

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) can often be managed at home with anti-sickness medication, fluids, and support from your GP and midwife. But there are times when home care is not enough and going to hospital becomes necessary.

The main reason women with HG are admitted to hospital is dehydration. When you cannot keep any fluids down for long enough, your body cannot maintain the fluid and salt balance it needs to function safely. This is not a sign of failure - it is a recognised part of HG, and hospitals are well set up to help.

Warning Signs That Mean Hospital

Go to your local A&E, contact NHS 111, or call your maternity unit straight away if you experience any of the following:

  • You have not kept any fluids down for 12 to 24 hours
  • You have not passed urine for 8 hours or more, or it is very dark and strong-smelling
  • You feel dizzy, faint, or confused when you stand up
  • You are vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
  • You have severe abdominal pain or a high temperature
  • Your heart is racing or you feel very weak
  • You are losing weight rapidly
  • You cannot take your usual medications or vitamins

In pregnancy, these signs are taken seriously. It is always better to go in and be checked than to wait at home and risk becoming more unwell.

What to Expect at Hospital

An admission for HG is very common and usually straightforward. You can expect:

  • Blood tests to check your hydration, kidney function, and salt levels
  • Urine tests to check for ketones and infection
  • An assessment of your weight and how much you have lost
  • A review of your medications and any pregnancy complications
  • Intravenous fluids - a drip to rehydrate you safely
  • Anti-sickness medication given through the drip or by injection if you cannot swallow tablets
  • Possibly thiamine to protect against rare complications of prolonged vomiting
  • Monitoring of your baby, usually with a quick scan or heartbeat check

Most women stay in for 12 to 48 hours, although some need longer depending on how quickly they rehydrate.

How to Prepare

If you are going to hospital with HG, taking a few things with you can make it easier:

  • Your pregnancy notes and any medication you are taking
  • A list of how often you have been sick and for how many days
  • A water bottle and some plain snacks for when you feel able to eat
  • Comfortable clothes and a phone charger
  • Details of your next of kin and your GP

After You Come Home

Going home from hospital does not mean the HG is over. To reduce the chance of needing to go back:

  • Continue your anti-sickness medication exactly as prescribed
  • Keep sipping fluids steadily through the day
  • Eat small amounts of bland food as soon as you can
  • Rest as much as possible
  • Stay in touch with your midwife and GP
  • Go back if the same warning signs return

A Reassuring Message

Going to hospital with HG can feel frightening, especially in early pregnancy when you may not have told many people. But the staff are used to caring for women in your situation, and a short admission can make an enormous difference to how you feel. Asking for help is the right thing to do for you and your baby.