Acute Morning Sickness: Duchess' Condition Dangerous?
Acute morning sickness has piqued the interest of many online users after Kate Middleton sought treatment for the condition on Monday.
Although she is under 12 weeks along, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were forced to announce that they are expecting their first child together after the Duchess required medical treatment.
The Duchess, also known as Kate Middleton, was diagnosed with Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), or acute morning sickness, which can include nausea and excessive vomiting during pregnancy. Because of the potential dangers of dehydration and malnutrition, the Duchess was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital on Monday.
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The rare condition makes it almost impossible to eat or drink. Pregnant Middleton has been on a drip to restore lost nutrients and in order to abate dehydration, reported the Daily Mail.
Experts say that HG is typically resolved by 21 weeks into a pregnancy, according to helpher.org.
While rare, some online users like Maria Shriver have admitted experience with the condition and expressed sympathy for Middleton.
"Wonderful news for Prince William & Kate Middleton," wrote Shriver. "Kate has Hyperemesis. Had that with my last child. Not fun at all. Hang in there, Kate."
"It felt like I was being poisoned," one mother, Sonia Purnell, wrote on Daily Mail.
Other online readers have chalked the Duchess' condition up to her "being a princess."
"Wow Kate's milking her royalty," wrote Twitter user Ruby. "Going to the hospital for 'acute nausea' (morning sickness like most other preggers women get) good luck Will!"
The Duchess is expected to stay in the hospital for a few days and will require a period of rest once she is released.
Meanwhile, Prince William has reportedly stayed by his wife's side during her stay at Central London's King Edward VII Hospital. Middleton's mother, Carole Middleton, is also planning a visit, as she left the family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, earlier today.
It was at her parents' home that Middleton initially fell ill with acute morning sickness. The decision to seek medical treatment resulted in a public statement about a royal baby on the way. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had not yet told anyone of Kate's pregnancy, not even Queen Elizabeth II.
Also, the couple scrambled to share the new with Prince William's brother, Prince Harry, who is serving in Afghanistan.
"The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry and members of both families are delighted with the news," the official statement from St. James's Palace read.
Speculation over a royal baby began as soon as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, both 30, wed in April of last year. Social media sites have been flooded with well-wishers expressing their delight over Middleton's highly anticipated pregnancy.
