Severe vomiting during pregnancy
Nausea, vomiting and dizziness are common for the first three months of pregnancy. But, for some this turns severe. They cannot eat, vomit excessively and their regular life gets disrupted. Instead of gaining weight they can lose it down to five per cent. This is a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).
What are the reasons?
The level of hormones rise in the blood during pregnancy. The rise of one such hormone, Beta hCG, causes excessive vomiting. Many attribute the ailment to the lack of vitamin B1, B6 and protein. Psychological complications also contribute to this.
This problem is more frequent during the first pregnancy. It can be genetic too. Severe vomiting is also common in cases of twins and molar pregnancy.
Take notice:
Almost all women vomit more or less during pregnancy. But a hyperemesis gravidarum patient gradually gets bed-ridden. Her eyes become sunken, lips dry, frequency of urine declines. The patient will lose weight significantly. Constipation along with a fall of blood sugar and rise in pulse rate are common. In some cases, jaundice may occur too.
Vomiting that is common during pregnancy differs from this and should be taken seriously.
Common vomiting should decrease after the first trimester. But, vomiting that continues for over 20 weeks is a bad symptom.
What to do:
Intravenous saline and anti-vomiting medicine may be required if the pernicious vomiting causes acute lack of electrolytes. With the vomiting diminished, dried items like toast, cookies, puffed rice should be eaten. Gradually, normal foods are to be introduced. Eat smaller amounts of food instead of taking all at a time. Drink plenty of water. Protein-rich food, meals rich with vitamins B1, B6, vegetables, beans, beets, and bananas should be eaten. As psychological reasons contribute to the condition, the problem can be addressed by taking the patient to a different atmosphere.
*Shameema Akhter is an obstetrician and gynecologist at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Medical University