About this topic
Many women have some upset stomach or throwing up when pregnant. This is thought to be caused by an increase in hormones and is known as morning sickness. This sickness can occur at any time of day. Very bad morning sickness is hyperemesis gravidarum. With this condition, you may have very bad nausea and throwing up that lasts for a long time. You may not be able to take in enough food or fluids. You may have problems doing your daily activities. Hyperemesis gravidarum often starts during the first 3 months of pregnancy and can continue throughout the pregnancy. Doctors do not know exactly what causes this problem. ‚
Treatment includes rest, fluids, drugs and diet changes. Sometimes, you will need hospital care if you have lost a lot of weight. You may also need hospital care if you do not have enough fluids. Doctors want to make sure you and your baby are getting the nutrients you need. ‚
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what you need to do.
- Take supplements as directed by your doctor. Be sure to take all your drugs as directed. Do not take over-the-counter (OTC) or other drugs without asking your doctor first.
- Use a pressure-point wrist band or acupuncture as directed by your doctor. Pressure-points and acupuncture may help an upset stomach.
- Try to drink water or juices throughout the day to prevent fluid loss.
- Eat small meals or snacks often throughout the day. The small meals may help replace what you lose when throwing up. If possible, have someone else make meals for you.
- Get lots of rest. Take naps or lie down whenever you feel tired. Staying in bed for a few days can be helpful.
- When you wake up, stay in bed 15 minutes before getting up.
- If you have an upset stomach, try to stay in bed until your upset stomach is gone.
- Keep a record of the foods you eat. Write down the foods that bother your stomach. Try to avoid eating the foods that upset your stomach. Learn the triggers for your nausea and throwing up. Try to stay away from these triggers. Stay away from smells that make you sick to your stomach.
- Suck on a hard candy or mints to help control throwing up. The candy or mints may also help with the taste after throwing up.
- Open the windows in your room or house to let fresh air in. Turn the exhaust fan on when working inside the kitchen.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep your visits
- Your doctor will do tests and exams to monitor your babys health.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with upset stomach and throwing up
- Help with heartburn
- Give nutrients to you and your baby
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Eat small meals more often. Instead of eating 3 big meals, eat 5 to 6 small meals each day.
- Eat when you feel hungry. Hunger can sometimes cause an upset stomach.
- Stay away from spicy, fatty, and sugary foods. Spicy, fatty, and sugary foods may make your upset stomach worse.
- Eat bland foods that are easy on your stomach like toast, applesauce, rice, and bananas. Your doctor may give you a list of foods.
- Eat foods high in fiber like fruits and vegetables.
- Eat foods high in carbs and proteins like nuts, cheese, milk, crackers, and yogurt.
- Try ginger products like ginger tea, candy, and soda.
- Try foods that are cold like frozen fruit or yogurt.
- Have a light snack, crackers, or a sandwich before going to bed. Sit upright for 20 to 30 minutes before lying down to avoid heartburn.
- Keep crackers by your bed so they are there to eat before you get out of bed in the morning.
- Take vitamins as you have been told by your doctor.
- Avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee and chocolates.
What problems could happen?
- Fluid loss
- Weight loss
- Belly pain
- Poor nutrition
- Social or mental problems
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Talk to your doctor and tell about how bad you are feeling and you would like to have early treatment.
- Avoid getting too hungry or too full.
- Get lots of rest. Tiredness can make your upset stomach worse.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher or loose stools
- Signs of fluid loss such as dark-colored urine or no urine for more than 8 hours, dry mouth, cracked lips, dry skin, sunken eyes, lack of energy, feeling faint or passing out.
- Constant very bad belly pain
- Not able to keep down fluids or food
- Blood in your throw up
- You do not gain weight over a couple of weeks
- Vaginal bleeding
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
Get support with family and friends. You may feel angry, sad, or frightened about your condition. Ask your family and friends to help you with your feelings. ‚
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my upset stomach.
- I can tell you what I will do if I am not able to keep food or fluids down or have dark colored urine, dry mouth, or lack of energy.
Where can I learn more?
American Pregnancy Association ‚
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/hyperemesisgravidarum.html ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_center/your_pregnancy/hyperemesis_gravidarum.html# ‚
National Organization for Rare Disorders ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/1110/viewAbstract ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚