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Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy
Introduction
More than one half of pregnant women experience some degree of nausea and vomiting. Research shows that 8 out of 10 women with nausea and vomiting in pregnancy are unable to do their normal activities and it interferes with their family, social and work life. It might seem as though you will never feel well again, but most women begin to feel better around 16 weeks (four months). This pamphlet will answer some of your questions, give you some tips on what you can do to help yourself and where you can find more information.If This is Morning Sickness, Why Does it Last All Day?
No one knows what causes nausea and vomiting in pregnancy or why it can last all day. For some, the symptoms may be mild and have a minimal affect on a woman's life. For others, the symptoms are so severe that she may need to be admitted to hospital. If nausea and vomiting cannot be controlled at home, additional treatment is available to avoid weight loss and dehydration.Is There a Cure?
Although there is no cure, it will not last forever. You may have heard that morning sickness passes by 12 weeks (3 months), and this is true for most women. Unfortunately, the rest will experience symptoms for a longer time and, for a very few, it goes on for the whole pregnancy. One reassuring thought is that although this is extremely unpleasant for you, nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is associated with a healthy baby."It's No Big Deal, Everybody Has Morning Sickness-Can't You Cope?"
You may feel that nausea is taking over your life. Health care providers are becoming more aware of what you are going through. Not being able to do the things you normally do and taking medication while pregnant can lead to feelings of guilt. Often you may feel sad and isolated from the rest of the world even when you want to be alone to rest. Nobody seems to understand the impact that nausea and vomiting has on your life, yet everybody has an opinion and lots of advice. It is all right to feel uncertain about the pregnancy and to expect those around you to understand and help you to cope during this difficult time. It is important for you to know that you are not alone in these experiences.