Morning Sickness

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Treatment of nausea and
vomiting in pregnancy - PDF

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP), also referred to as "morning sickness," is very common. It afflicts up to 80% of pregnant women, to a greater or lesser extent.

Though usually limited to the first 7 to 12 weeks of pregnancy, approximately 20% of women experience NVP for a longer period of time. Some women may suffer from NVP until the end of the pregnancy.

For some, nausea and vomiting can have serious adverse effects. If severe enough, NVP can cause dehydration, with associated salt and vitamin imbalances. These and other effects can be harmful to the health of the woman and the well-being of her baby. The severity of NVP symptoms can also be related to factors such as a multiple pregnancy.

For these and other reasons, it is important to get the right information, care and treatment.

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy can also impact on personal relationships. That means that partners and family need information, too.

Care based on research

Motherisk researchers have interviewed thousands of women, gathering detailed accounts of their experience with NVP. Many have describe it as a time of acute suffering, worry and frustration.

This and other research have helped us understand the extent of the suffering, determine possible causes and deterrents, and establish recommendations on how to treat the condition.

We continue to collect information about the effects of NVP and its treatment, paying special attention to NVP's impact on the quality of women's lives.

• With a call to the NVP Helpline women can discuss optimal therapies.
• They can also help further Motherisk research by providing information about the effects of NVP on their health and daily lives.

Further Reading

• Treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy - an updated algorithm
  Adrienne Einarson, RN, Caroline Maltepe, Rada Boskovic, MD and Gideon Koren, MD FRCPC
• Preventing recurrence of severe morning sickness
  Gideon Koren, MD, FRCPC, Caroline Maltepe
• Ginger can reduce morning sickness in mothers-to-be - MedicalPost.com
• Managing women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: Canadian Consensus
  G. Klinger, MD; Gideon Koren MD, FRCPC
• Pharmacologic treatment of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy
  Paolo Mazzotta, MSC; Abhya Gupta, MD; Antonio Addis, PHARMD; Caroline Maltepe; Gideon Koren, MD, FRCPC; Laura Magee, MD, MSC, FRCPC