Morning sickness is common during pregnancy, but what Jackson Herzog experienced was something far more serious. The first-time mom developed hyperemesis gravidarum, or HG, a severe pregnancy complication that left her vomiting more than 30 times on some days. She later described feeling as though she was fighting for both her life and her baby's life.
Herzog recently shared the painful details of her pregnancy after documenting parts of the experience on TikTok. She wanted people to understand that HG is not simply a rough case of morning sickness. It can become a medical crisis that affects eating, drinking, weight, daily life, and mental health.
@twinsjacksonkennedyHyperemesis gravidarum mamas you are so strong, you got this, eveyday is one day closer🙏🏻🤍👶🏼♬ original sound - princess
Her symptoms did not disappear as the first trimester ended. Instead, the sickness kept controlling her days and left her wondering why her pregnancy felt so different. By 15 weeks, she needed IV fluids because the vomiting had taken such a heavy toll.
Even then, Herzog felt embarrassed about how sick she had become. She worried that other people would not understand the severity of her symptoms. That feeling of being misunderstood would become another painful part of an already exhausting pregnancy.
Herzog Says HG Made Every Day Feel Like Survival
Jackson / IG / The first-time mom did not receive an official HG diagnosis until her 20-week appointment. She had not gained weight and was still vomiting every day.
Instead of pregnancy bringing steady weight gain, she continued losing weight while trying to give her growing baby enough nutrition.
Her daily routine became a constant calculation. Could she eat without vomiting again? Could she drive safely that day? Or, could she keep an appointment, or would another wave of sickness force her to cancel? Those ordinary choices became difficult because her body gave her little relief.
At her worst, Herzog said she vomited more than 30 times in a single day. She also continued losing weight throughout her pregnancy. The physical strain became so severe that she feared for her own health and worried about the survival of her unborn son. Her experience shows why calling HG “bad morning sickness” misses the seriousness of the condition. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists describes hyperemesis gravidarum as the most severe form of pregnancy nausea and vomiting. It can involve major weight loss, dehydration, and the need for hospital treatment.
Typical pregnancy nausea begins before nine weeks and improves by around 14 weeks for many women. HG can continue much longer and make it difficult to keep down enough food or liquid. ACOG notes that the condition may be diagnosed when someone loses at least 5% of their prepregnancy weight and develops problems related to dehydration.
Severe cases may require IV fluids, vitamins, anti-nausea medication, and hospital care. If vomiting remains uncontrolled and weight loss continues, a feeding tube may be recommended to ensure adequate nutrition. Those treatments show just how different HG can be from the nausea many people expect during pregnancy.
HG Can Carry Real Risks for Mom and Baby
Jackson / IG / A 2026 population study examined 2.5 million singleton births in California, including more than 53,000 pregnancies involving hospital or emergency care for HG.
Researchers found higher rates of several pregnancy complications among those patients.
Compared with pregnancies without HG, the condition was associated with a 25% higher risk of preterm birth and an 18% higher risk of preeclampsia after researchers adjusted for other factors. HG was also associated with higher risks of anemia, gestational hypertension, having a baby small for gestational age, and placental abruption.
However, those numbers do not mean every person with HG will develop complications. Most HG pregnancies still result in healthy outcomes, according to researchers involved in the California study. The findings instead show why persistent vomiting, dehydration, and weight loss should not be brushed aside as a normal pregnancy inconvenience.
Early treatment can be important because severe nausea and vomiting may become harder to control after it progresses. ACOG recommends seeking medical care when pregnancy nausea and vomiting affect daily life or cause concern. Warning signs of dehydration include very dark urine, little or no urination, dizziness, fainting, and an inability to keep liquids down.
