By Lia Sestric
lsestric@abcnews4.com
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) – After 19 months of marriage, Prince Williams and the Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their first child.
James Island resident Judy Bennett said she's been expecting to hear the news.
"I was not surprised. There's been pregnancy rumors for awhile," she said. "I'm happy for her. I think it's wonderful."
But with the announcement of Middleton's pregnancy came also the news of her hospitalization.
Medical University of South Carolina's Dr. Margaret Villers said Middleton suffers from a rare condition known as hyperemisis gravidarum. It is considered an extreme case of morning sickness that can easily cause dehydration.
"It's certainly a bad sign she was hospitalized so this may be something she has to deal with the next couple months," Villers said.
Gaining appropriate weight is essential for a healthy pregnancy but this condition could interrupt that.
"Women who have hyperemisis gravidarum usually lose weight persistently through first tri-semester of pregnancy. They cannot keep anything down or even liquids down," she said.
She also says there may be concern for Middleton because she is already so thin and cannot afford to lose anymore weight.
Villers said she sees a few patients a year who are diagnosed with the condition. Only two percent of the population nationally suffers from the condition.
The condition can also be an indicator of twins.
