Morning Sickness
Mr and Mrs Raju, reported to our clinic one fine morning with complaints of severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.
Mrs Raju, conceived with treatment ,was 2months pregnant with severe nausea and vomiting .She was complaining of severe weakness, not able to do daily chores and was severely depressed .
The couple was even thinking of discontinuing the pregnancy.
As the patient had history of infertility and conceived after treatment for long period, we counselled the couple not to take hasty decision.
We ordered few blood tests for Mrs Raju, which helped us to differentiate Nausea and Vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) and Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
NVP occurs in 80% of pregnant women. Also called as Morning Sickness . This can be treated on out patient basis where as Hyperemesis Gravidarum where the vomitings are too severe, the patient needs hospitalisation as there will be severe dehydration and the blood parameters will be altered.
With proper and thorough investigations, Mrs. Raju was found to have simple NVP as her blood parameters were normal. She was treated symptomatically with antiemetics and was advised
- Frequent small 2 hourly meal
- Avoid being on empty stomach for long periods
- Plenty of liquids
- Sour fluids in small amounts like lemonade with ginger between meals
- Minimal exercise like walking
- Avoid foods that irritate like spices, masalas etc.,
- Avoid cleaning of the tongue while brushing, early in the morning, which will cause gag reflex and initiate vomiting
Mrs. Raju followed the advises given, responded well and continued the pregnancy with very minimal discomfort and much of happiness.
Morning sickness is nausea and vomiting that occurs during pregnancy. Usually starts in the morning but can strike at any time of the day or night.
80% of pregnant women have morning sickness, especially during the first trimester. But some women have morning sickness throughout pregnancy.
Common symptoms of morning sickness include nausea and vomiting, often triggered by certain odors, spicy foods, heat, excess salivation or sometimes no triggers at all. Morning sickness is most common during the first trimester and the symptoms improve for most expectant mothers by the mid to late second trimester. This can be relieved by simple home remedies most of the times.
Rarely, morning sickness is so severe that it causes a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. The nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is so severe that it may cause severe dehydration or result in the loss of more than 5 percent of pre-pregnancy body weight. Hyperemesis gravidarum may require hospitalization and treatment with intravenous (IV) fluids and medications.
Mild nausea and vomiting of pregnancy typically won’t cause any complications to you or your baby.
If left untreated, severe nausea and vomiting can cause dehydration, an electrolyte imbalance, decreased urination and hospitalization.
Contact your doctor if:
The nausea or vomiting is severe
You pass only a small amount of urine or it’s dark in color
You can’t retain liquids and your tongue feels dry
You feel dizzy or faint when you stand up
Your heart beat increases
