Up to 90% of expectant mothers endure nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) [1]. However, sometimes the vomiting is so severe and constant that you can’t keep any food or liquid down. This type of vomiting may be a cause for caution.
How can I tell if my vomiting is normal?
Typically, NVP occurs once or twice a day [2], and it shouldn’t make you feel terribly sick. Consult a doctor if you experience any of the following [2]:
your body immediately rejects any food or liquid (even water)
you urinate very little, and your urine is dark (a sign of dehydration)
you feel weak and dizzy and need to lie down often
your pulse is faster than normal
you’ve lost weight
A loss of 5% of your body weight (for example, losing 7lb. when your regular weight is 140lb.) is a reason for concern that calls for a consultation with your doctor and maybe a trip to the hospital [1].
If it’s not pregnancy-related vomiting, what else could it be?
Food poisoning, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, appendicitis, hyperthyroidism, diabetic ketoacidosis, and other diseases of the digestive or endocrine system can happen at any time, including during pregnancy. These conditions require treatment whether or not you are pregnant. Take immediate action (call an ambulance or go to the ER) if you have any of the following [3]:
vomiting with bile
vomiting with fever or migraine
vomiting accompanied by high blood pressure
vomiting with loss of consciousness
How dangerous is severe vomiting during pregnancy (hyperemesis gravidarum)?
It can lead to dehydration and the loss of essential nutrients. In addition, it can adversely affect your health, and your baby depends on the nutrients you ingest to develop normally and healthfully [1].
How long can NVP last?
In a typical pregnancy, nausea should end after 12-16 weeks. Sometimes, it can last up to the 20th week [1]. Severe vomiting and nausea can last until the third trimester and, in 5% of cases, even until birth. But the peak incidence usually occurs at 8-12 weeks [4].
Why do some expectant mothers develop hyperemesis gravidarum while others don’t even experience nausea?
Recent studies have shown there is a "morning sickness hormone" called GDF15, produced by the placenta. The higher the level of the hormone in the mother's blood, the stronger the nausea and vomiting become, and vice versa [5].
The risk of severe vomiting is higher if you are expecting twins or triplets. Even the gender of the child can have an impact; mothers expecting girls may be more likely to experience morning sickness. If you had severe nausea and vomiting during a previous pregnancy, it is likely to happen again in subsequent pregnancies. Migraine is also a risk factor for severe vomiting [2].
Can my NVP affect the baby?
If you stay hydrated and replace fluids and nutrients diligently, your baby will get what they need and will not suffer any ill effects. A little-known fact is that statistics show that pregnant women who experience NVP are less likely to have a miscarriage [6].
