Kate Middleton Morning Sickness: All About The Ailment That’s Struck Duchess Kate

Kate Middleton just had to cancel her second public appearance as she deals with the effects of severe morning sickness, a rare but powerful ailment that can all but paralyze those stricken.

Kate was forced to announce her first pregnancy earlier than she had hoped after her first bout with severe morning sickness left her dehydrated and in need of hospitalization.

This time it appears the severe morning sickness has returned as Kate Middleton has already canceled a planned trip to Oxford, and this week, announced she would not appear at the Invictus Games, either.

“The Duchess of Cambridge will not attend the Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games this evening or the Athletics event tomorrow,” Kensington Palace told E! News in a statement Wednesday. As far as Middleton’s other events go, a spokesperson for Her Royal Highness added, “The Duchess’ attendance on the forthcoming visit to Malta will be kept under review and a decision taken closer to the time.”

As with Duchess Kate’s first pregnancy, the canceled appearances and hospital stays have many people turning to the internet to learn more about her condition. Commonly known as severe morning sickness, the affliction is known in the medical community as Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

The condition is believed to be caused by the pregnancy hormone, with symptoms usually strongest in the first 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy. Women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum experience nausea and vomiting so severe than many women lose weight and suffer dehydration. In the most severe cases, women can be hospitalized indefinitely or placed on permanent bed rest.

Experts say as uncommon as Hyperemesis Gravidarum is, it’s even more rare to get it twice in a row.

“Usually it’s more likely to happen in a first pregnancy but it can happen in a second pregnancy,” Dr. Amos Grunebaum, director of obstetrics at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, told TODAY on Monday.

While Kate Middleton has been sidelined by her severe morning sickness, the rest of the royal family is going on with their duties. Prince Harry welcomed competitors to the Invictus Games, and Prince William was on hand as well to applaud the disabled soldiers competing in the games.

[Image Via news.nationalpost.com]