Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) affects approximately 75% of pregnant women.
Typically begins between the fourth and eighth week after the last menstrual period and resolves in the second trimester.
Etiology remains unclear. There is some evidence that it is related to hormone levels of human chorionic gonadotropin and estrogen.
Hyperemesis gravidarum represents the most severe form of NVP. While there is lack of consensus of definition, most agree that clinical features include persistent vomiting, volume depletion, ketosis, electrolyte disturbances, and weight loss.
Initial therapy should be conservative. This may include nonpharmacologic treatments such as diet modification, emotional support, ginger, and acupressure.

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Definition

Epidemiology

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Citations

Key Articles

Goodwin TM. Hyperemesis gravidarum. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 1998 Sep;41(3):597-605.[Abstract]
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. ACOG practice bulletin no. 189: nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Jan;131(1):e15-30.[Abstract]
Matthews A, Haas DM, O'Mathúna DP, et al. Interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(9):CD007575.[Abstract][Full Text]
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). Green-top guideline No. 69: management of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum. Jun 2016 [internet publication].[Full Text]

Referenced Articles

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