Local Experts Comment On Royal Pregnancy

Hyperemesis gravidarum.

It sounds like a spell from "Harry Potter." Or maybe that just came to mind because the series is as British as the person suffering from this health condition--the Duchess of Cambridge, a.k.a. the former Kate Middleton. 

Now she'll be able to add a new title: Mom. Britain's royal palace announced the news that she and the husband Duke of Cambridge, also known as Prince William and, alternately, the eldest son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, are expecting, according to the New York Times. 

While the Brits are delighted, hyperemesis gravidarum is not so delightful.

"It means they have constant vomiting," said Lizzy Peters, a pediatric nurse-practitioner, breastfeeding consultant and owner of the " shop in Niles.

"They don't have any pain, they they just can't tolerate eating or drinking," explained, adding that hospitals typically would keep a pregnant woman with this condition on intravenous fluids to ward off dehydration. They would also feed her ice chips in small quantities she might be able to tolerate.

Peters mostly sees expecting mothers in later stages of their pregnancy or, more typically, after they have delivered and are trying to breastfeed. If the duchess decides to breastfeed and needs any help getting the royal pipsqueak to latch on, or if she should need various breastfeeding products, Peters' shop can definitely help her.

The royal couple will now get all the fun of picking out baby stuff and decorating a nursery. That's something Arlene Elmgren, a clerk at Kustom Kribs in Park Ridge, sees often.

At this early stage of pregnancy, couples often start browsing, she said.

"If they're having a first baby, they start checking out the baby equipment, not wanting to purchase yet, but wanting to know what's available," she said.

"They're looking at strollers, diaper bags, high chairs, carriers and cribs. When they get into our store and see all the things that are out there for babies, they kind of go 'wow.'"

A hot item for new moms is the Bella Band, a stretchy band which fastens to the waistband of jeans so expecting moms can stay in their regular jeans longer, she said. No telling whether the duchess will go for it, though.

Even though she sees expecting moms all the time, Elmgren is excited for the royals.

"I think it's fantastic," she said. "There hasn't been a baby born in that family in a long time."

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