Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain
If you’re pregnant, you may know that the term “morning sickness” is a misnomer. Findings show that nausea and vomiting can occur at any time of the day. A recent and novel study found that while peak symptoms occur in the morning, almost as many women experienced symptoms in the late afternoon or at night as did in the morning.
As many as 90% of pregnant people experience some degree of nausea or vomiting. And for some, it is relatively mild, coming and going during the first trimester without much fuss. For others, it can be severe, life-changing, and traumatic.
The severe impacts of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy can be overwhelming. The most severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is called hyperemesis gravidarum and is reported to affect up to 3.6% of pregnant women. Women with hyperemesis gravidarum have severe and persistent symptoms that can make it difficult for them to eat and drink enough, leading to weight loss, dehydration, and nutritional deficiencies.
This condition can also have a big impact on a person’s emotional, mental, and physical health. Recent studies report high rates of pregnancy termination, as well as suicidal thoughts, among hyperemesis gravidarum sufferers. This is on top of the range of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with the condition.
The stigma women face when trying to receive care for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy can result in enduring hesitancy towards using medications during pregnancy, contributing to the ongoing stigma. As recently as the early 1900s, the root cause of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy was thought to be psychological.
