The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton is pregnant! The happy news was officially announced early this morning by royal officials.
Rumours confirmed
There had previously been intense speculation as to whether the Duchess was pregnant, especially after she was seen skipping alcohol during the Asia Pacific leg of the Diamond Jubilee Tour. Middleton is estimated to be around eight weeks pregnant currently.
Unplanned announcement
The royal couple had not intended to announce their pregnancy to the world till Christmas. However, nature had expedited the announcement, when the Duchess had to be rushed to the hospital for acute morning sickness that had her purging everything she ate and drank.
According to reports in the Daily Mail, doctors at the King Edward VII hospital in London has diagnosed the Duchess of Cambridge as suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, an acute form of morning sickness that affects one in every 50 pregnancies. This is said to be much more serious than the more common nausea experienced by expecting mothers.
She is set to spend the next few days at the hospital due to fears of dehydration should her symptoms continue.
Symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum
The symptoms include excessive and persistent vomiting that might lead to weight loss and dehydration. Expecting mothers could also complain about light headedness and feeling faint.
This ailment could also signal multiples as the enlarged placenta from a multiple pregnancy (twins or triplets) would cause severe morning sickness.
How to combat it
The Duchess of Cambridge need not worry, as this condition can be managed after she is discharged from hospital. Here are some of the things she and fellow sufferers can do.
- Eat small, frequent meals daily
- Eating dry foods such as crackers might also help relieve the nausea
- Drink plenty of fluids. If you’re still experiencing nausea, try increasing your fluid intake when you feel the least nauseated.
- Try seltzer, ginger ale, or other sparkling waters if still water does not help.
- Vitamin B6 (no more than 100 mg daily) has also been shown to decrease the nausea in early pregnancy.