Until the 16th week, mild to moderate nausea and vomiting are common in pregnant women. It is most severe in the early morning but can occur at any time of the day. There may be aversion to certain odors and foods, from hair spray and deodorant to the smell of onion and garlic. The cause is not clear. Rising hormone levels in the blood are one of the reasons. Psychological factors are also thought to play a role. Mild and moderate nausea and vomiting will not harm the baby. However, dehydration, i.e. dehydration of the body, must be prevented during this period.
It usually decreases and disappears until 14-16 weeks, but in some pregnant women it can last until later weeks. Some women even say that it continues throughout their entire pregnancy.
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of this condition characterized by significant weight loss, fluid loss, persistent nausea and a high number of vomits. It is seen in 3% of pregnancies. In this case, at least 5% of the pre-pregnancy weight has been lost and signs of fluid loss have started. In this case, vomiting must be stopped and fluid loss must be replaced. Sometimes hospitalization may be necessary.
Risk factors for more severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy include
– Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets)
– Nausea and vomiting in the previous pregnancy
– Severe nausea and vomiting in the mother’s or sister’s previous pregnancy
– History of motion sickness or migraine
– The sex of the fetus is female
Emesis (nausea and vomiting) or its more severe form hyperemesis gravidarum is a diagnosis of exclusion. In other words, the diagnosis is made after excluding other diseases that cause nausea and vomiting. Other diseases that can cause nausea and vomiting: Ulcers, food poisoning, gallbladder diseases, thyroid diseases. Other diseases may be suspected if nausea and vomiting are accompanied by any of the following;
– Onset of nausea and vomiting after 9 weeks
– Abdominal tenderness or pain
– Fever, headache
– Swelling in front of the neck (enlarged thyroid gland)
Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy usually does not adversely affect the baby. However, prolonged conditions accompanied by excessive fluid loss and significant weight loss may affect the birth weight of the baby, and the mother may have thyroid, liver and fluid balance problems.
Most doctors recommend treating and stabilizing the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy before it becomes too severe, because in advanced cases hyperemesis gravidarum can be more resistant and difficult to treat.
The following can be done to feel better when nausea and vomiting start during pregnancy:
– Taking multivitamin support
– Keeping dry foods such as crackers or toast next to the bed and eating one or two before getting up in the morning to avoid walking around on an empty stomach
– Drinking fluids frequently
– Avoiding offensive odors and foods
– Eating often and little by little, instead of 3 big meals
– Eating soft foods (bananas, applesauce, boiled rice)
– Consume foods and supplements made from real ginger (ginger tea, ginger capsules)
In the initial treatment of nausea and vomiting, in addition to diet and fluid support, vitamin B6 support (pyridoxine) and drugs that prevent and stop nausea can be used. In the treatment of nausea, you can use medicines that your doctor will give you that have not been found to be harmful to the baby.
If nausea and vomiting of pregnancy cannot be treated on an outpatient basis, if it is very severe, if fluid deficit and weight loss have developed, in other words, if hyperemesis gravidarum is established, hospitalization may be planned. In the hospital, fluid deficit is closed with intravenous serums and nausea and vomiting can be stopped with enthyemetic treatments. In very severe cases that do not respond to treatment, intravenous nutrition can be provided to maintain the nutrition of mother and baby.