Nausea During Pregnancy

How Do You Define Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy?

Vomiting: The discharge of the contents of the stomach and upper small intestine through the mouth after contraction of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles.

Emesis: It is the single word for nausea and vomiting. It is a reflex event. The nausea and vomiting seen during pregnancy is called Hyperemesis Gravidarum .

Is It Seen In All Pregnant Women?

Nausea and vomiting occur in 85% of all pregnancies. The persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy cause weight loss and dehydration, which is the loss of fluid.

What Causes Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy?

The “Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone”, a sensory area in a special area of the brain with a chemoreceptor structure, can be considered a nausea and vomiting center. When this area is exposed to various drugs or hormonal changes such as those in pregnancy, nausea and vomiting occur. In other words, the hormonal changes in pregnancy trigger the mechanisms that initiate this condition.

Who is it more common in?

It is more common in early pregnancy, first pregnancies, those with high body weight, and in industrial societies. It is most common in the 6th-16th weeks of pregnancy.

Could Nausea and Vomiting Have a Psychological Cause?

Yes, this disease can be triggered in some psychological and social situations:

• Intense desire to have children
• Fear of motherhood and birth
• Excitable, labile personality
• Nausea and vomiting complaints are more common in pregnant women who are in danger of losing their jobs or have family problems.

What Kind of Changes Occur in the Bodies of Pregnant Women Who Suffer from Nausea and Vomiting?

Depending on the severity of the disease, three important changes occur.

1. Dehydration (Loss of water)
2. Consumption of reserve energy stores
3. Disturbance of electrolyte metabolism

These changes are the basic elements that determine the severity of the condition and the management of the treatment.

What is done in treatment?

Our recommendations for mild cases are;

• Eating little and often
• A diet rich in carbohydrates and low in fat
• Getting up 1-2 hours later in the morning
• It will be to avoid foul-smelling environments and foods. If this is not enough, anti-nausea medications can be added by the doctor.

In severe cases;

The patient is admitted to the hospital for the treatment of dehydration and salt deficiency. Serums containing glucose are given to relieve hunger. Vitamins B1, B6 and C are added to these fluids. Treatment is continued until the patient’s fluid electrolyte balance and blood sugar levels are brought under control. Patients are generally discharged after a 1-2 day period.

In which month does nausea stop during pregnancy? What should be done if it does not stop?

The reason why early pregnancy is considered the most unpleasant period throughout pregnancy is the nausea and vomiting complaint. The increase in beta HCG hormone activates the vomiting center in the brain. Nausea, which usually starts after the 6th week, is often accompanied by sensitivity to smells, loss of appetite and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting, which mostly occur in the morning, end in the 12th-14th weeks if there is no other underlying disease. A very small number of pregnant women experience very excessive vomiting. This condition is called “hyperemesis gravidarum”, which means extreme nausea of pregnancy.

A significant portion of pregnant women who complain of vomiting describe it as occurring once or twice a day, and more often in the morning. Some say that nausea and vomiting are so severe that they cannot even drink water. Since the picture is so wide, the types of tests and treatments performed also vary. Mild cases are usually followed up on an outpatient basis without medication. Some suggestions are made and if followed, they are usually beneficial;

• When you wake up in the morning, snack on a cracker or two and do not get out of bed immediately, as sudden movements trigger nausea.
• Change your eating habits. Try to eat little and often.
• Drink plenty of fluids, but drink water between meals, not during meals. Overdistension of the stomach increases nausea.
• Avoid spicy and oily foods. Fizzy drinks can cause extreme tension.
• Keep dry foods such as saltine crackers, rusks, and crackers with you.
• Unless you vomit excessively, do not worry that something will happen to your baby if you cannot eat well. Your baby will not be affected by this situation.
• In case of weakness, dehydration due to excessive vomiting, or weight loss, consult your physician.

If the pregnant woman vomits a lot, there will be fluid and electrolyte loss. In the urine test, there will be an increase in ketone substances that indicate fluid deficit in the body. Therefore, the pregnant woman should be hospitalized and the lost fluid and electrolytes should be replaced. The condition usually improves in 1-2 days with intravenous serum and medications. Vitamin B combinations are used in treatment and vitamin B6 is also beneficial during the outpatient follow-up period.

In cases that are resistant to treatment, there may be another underlying cause. In addition to multiple pregnancies and molar pregnancies, many special conditions independent of pregnancy, such as liver and bile duct disorders, pancreatic diseases, gastrointestinal obstructions and thyroid gland problems, should be investigated. These conditions are rare and can cause severe vomiting. They can be diagnosed and treated during pregnancy.