Morning Sickness

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is hyperemesis gravidarum? " пїЅ Hyperemesis gravidarum is a condition that causes frequent vomiting (throwing up) in pregnant women. It is like morning sickness, except the symptoms are much more severe. пїЅ пїЅ

Morning sickness is the nausea and vomiting that many women have during pregnancy. Even though it is called "morning " пїЅ sickness, symptoms can happen any time of day. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum? " пїЅ Women with hyperemesis gravidarum vomit every day, often many times a day. Women can lose weight and get dehydrated because they are vomiting so much. пїЅ пїЅ

Symptoms of dehydration include: пїЅ пїЅ

Urinating less often than usual
Having dark yellow urine
Feeling dizzy when standing up
Weight loss

Symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum usually start during the first 2 to 3 months of pregnancy. Most women feel better by the middle of their pregnancy. But some women feel sick until late in the pregnancy. пїЅ пїЅ

How can I find out if I have hyperemesis gravidarum? " пїЅ Your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have hyperemesis gravidarum by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam. пїЅ пїЅ

Are there tests I should have? " пїЅ Maybe. Your doctor or nurse might do tests to see if the vomiting is hurting your body and to make sure another condition isnt causing your symptoms. These tests can include: пїЅ пїЅ

Blood tests
Urine tests
An ultrasound to check your baby

Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better? " пїЅ Yes. To feel better, you can try the following: пїЅ пїЅ

Eat as soon as you feel hungry, or even before you feel hungry.
Snack often and eat small meals. The best foods to eat are high in protein or carbohydrates, and low in fat. These include crackers, bread, pretzels, nuts, and low-fat yogurt.
Avoid foods that are spicy, greasy, or acidic (such as oranges).
Drink cold, clear beverages, such as sports drinks and ginger ale. Avoid coffee. Also, try to drink between meals, rather than with a meal.
Suck on popsicles or ginger-flavored lollipops.
Brush your teeth right after you eat.
Avoid lying down right after you eat.
Take your vitamins at bedtime with a snack, not in the morning
Avoid things in your environment that upset your stomach, such as stuffy rooms, strong smells, hot places, or loud noises.
Have someone make your meals for you.
Wear "acupressure " пїЅ bands on your wrists. These are special bands that can help with morning or motion sickness.

Should I see a doctor or nurse? " пїЅ If you are pregnant, see your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of the symptoms listed above. пїЅ пїЅ

How is hyperemesis gravidarum treated? " пїЅ Treatment depends on how severe your symptoms are. If you are dehydrated or have lost a lot of weight, you will probably need to be treated in the hospital with: пїЅ пїЅ

Fluids that go into your vein through a tube called an "IV " пїЅ
Medicines to help stop your nausea and vomiting

If this treatment doesn't work, your doctor can feed you through a tube that goes in your nose and down into your stomach or through a vein. пїЅ пїЅ

Can hyperemesis gravidarum be prevented? " пїЅ Doctors strongly recommend that all women who might get pregnant or who are pregnant take vitamins. The vitamin should contain at least 400 micrograms of folic acid. Taking vitamins before pregnancy and in early pregnancy might help prevent nausea and vomiting. пїЅ пїЅ

Will my baby be healthy? " пїЅ Babies born to women with hyperemesis gravidarumfor the entire pregnancy are a little more likely to be smaller than average. But otherwise, the condition doesn't seem to cause problems. Taking medicines for nausea and vomiting during the pregnancy should not affect the baby either. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 16988 Version 2.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ

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Morning Sickness

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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