Managing Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy with Pharmacological and Nonpharmacological Treatments

Abstract

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) affects approximately 80% of pregnant women; however, this condition is not always addressed, let alone treated appropriately. NVP can be physically debilitating and can also interfere with the socioeconomic aspects of a woman's life. Some women and healthcare providers are unaware of the various NVP treatments and means of management. Lack of treatment may result from misinformation or misperception regarding NVP treatments and its safety during pregnancy. However, several studies have shown that there are effective pharmacological options that do not cause adverse effects in the mother or her unborn baby. The potential consequences of untreated NVP include substantial maternal weight loss, dehydration, hospitalization, low birthweight and depression. The following review provides a detailed description of NVP and how it can adversely affect a woman's life, as well as evidence-based information on treatment strategies.