Pregnancy is often described as a positive and exciting experience, but it can bring with it a range of challenges and health concerns.
Nausea and vomiting affects up to 90% of pregnant women and is one of the most common reasons for a hospital admission during pregnancy.
Almost 4% of these women experience Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), where symptoms are extreme and significantly impact physical and mental health, occasionally with tragic consequences. Symptoms include feeling persistently sick, being unable to keep food or drink down, severe dehydration, significant weight loss, extreme tiredness, and an increased risk of serious complications such as thromboembolism.
The effects of HG on wellbeing has historically been misunderstood by healthcare professionals with the condition often being trivialised, resulting in expectant mothers feeling isolated and dismissed. The impact of this can be devastating, with HG associated with increased rates of termination of pregnancy and suicidal ideation.
Treatment for HG includes mediations to control nausea and vomiting. However, research shows that doctors who are not pregnancy specialists do not always feel confident prescribing certain medications during pregnancy. This has led to variation in care provided to women experiencing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy seeing their GP for support to manage symptoms.
A group of maternity specialists, GPs, midwives, and other healthcare professionals in Sussex have been working together to develop new guidance and enable access to additional treatment options, empowering healthcare professionals to give the best care.
Clear and accessible guidelines, supported by education sessions, have been published to support healthcare professionals across a range of health settings to identify HG early on and ensure optimal management of symptoms. This will improve wellbeing and minimise the risk of further complications that can lead to hospital admissions and poor outcomes. A key aim of this work is to ensure pregnant women are listened to and advocated for to have the best chance of healthy pregnancies.
Sussex mum, Becky, shared her experience of HG:
When I found out I was pregnant I was over the moon, however two weeks later the nausea and vomiting kicked in. I went from being very happy to feeling miserable.
The worst part was that when I was awake the nausea and sickness were constant and I was never without my trusty plastic bag. I tried numerous anti-sickness medications which did not seem to make any difference until I tried Xonvea.
I went from not being able to keep anything down on most days and struggling to function to having some mild nausea in the morning. I had to keep taking Xonvea until I was 36 weeks pregnant and for me it was a lifesaver!
Consultant Obstetrician and Maternal Medicine Lead, Dr Sophia Stone, said:
Nausea and vomiting is experienced by many in pregnancy. In its severe form (hyperemesis gravidarum) it is not without significant consequences on mental and physical health of the pregnant person. It can also impact on family life and ability to perform well at work or with daily tasks.
Seeking help and starting anti-sickness medications early can prevent someone deteriorating and needing inpatient hospital care.
In Sussex we have introduced a new integrated community-hospital guideline which we hope will give pregnant persons, who are experiencing nausea and vomiting, access to safe anti-sickness medication. Working together with our GP and pharmacy colleagues, our aim is to ensure that all pregnant individuals with nausea and vomiting are offered the right advice and treatment that is safe in pregnancy. The treatment offered is recommended by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).
If you are struggling with nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, see your GP and get help for your symptoms.
link
