The latter is the most commonly accepted theory. HCG is needed to sustain the pregnancy until the placenta is sufficiently developed. Elevated levels of HCG are found in the urine and blood of all women during early pregnancy, and the levels usually decline after about 12 weeks' gestation. This corresponds to the usual duration of morning sickness. In HG, the HCG levels are often higher and may extend beyond the first trimester.
Symptoms exacerbate the disease.
Regardless of etiology, the patient with morning sickness is miserable, and the patient with HG is both miserable and seriously ill. Treatment options Conservative management is only effective for the patient with morning sickness. If her disease progresses to HG, it is because conservative management has failed. A description of conservative management is included here to show the continuum of increasingly complex interventions that these patients require. The initial phase of treatment for morning sickness consists of the conservative management of dietary and lifestyle adjustments.