Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: associations with personal history of nausea and affected relatives

Abstract

Purpose To examine whether personal history of nausea or history of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) in relatives are risk factors for a woman to suffer from NVP. Further, to evaluate if these factors are associated with the severity of NVP. Methods Cohort study of 2411 pregnant women recruited from maternity health care clinics. The severity of NVP was categorized according to Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE) questionnaire into no/mild/moderate/severe NVP. History of nausea was assessed in connection with motion sickness, seasickness, migraine or other kinds of headache, after anesthesia, related to the use of contraceptives, and other kinds of nausea. History of NVP in relatives was categorized into first-degree (mother/sister) and second-degree relatives (more distant). Results In multivariable analysis including previous personal history of nausea, motion sickness (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.81-5.56, p < 0.0001) and nausea in migraine (OR 3.18, 95% CI 1.86-5.45, p < 0.0001) were associated with severe NVP. History of nausea in other kinds of headache was associated with moderate NVP (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.34-2.72, p = 0.001). Women with affected first-degree relatives had higher odds for moderate (OR 3.84, 95% CI 2.72-5.40) and severe (OR 3.19, 95% CI 1.92-5.28) NVP (p < 0.0001). All these results remained significant after adjusting for parity, body mass index, smoking, employment and age. Conclusion Women with personal history of nausea or family history of NVP have an increased susceptibility of NVP. This information is useful in pre-pregnancy counselling.

Prevalence of Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy and its Associated Factors at Three Teaching Hospitals in Ethiopia

“…Findings of this study is similar to a previous report of 74.5% from a similar study done in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) in 2013 [11]. It is however lower than an 88% prevalence reported in a recent study done in Finland [14].…”

Readmissions due to hyperemesis gravidarum: a nation-wide Finnish register study

“…We used nation-wide register data of outpatient visits and inpatient episodes of women admitted for HG, permitting admissions in different services to be merged. In Finland, primary health care is publicly funded and organized in health-care centers, including prenatal care units for pregnancy follow-up [ 48 ]. Virtually, all pregnant women attend routine pregnancy care organized by specialized maternity health-care nurses and midwives, with regular check-ups by physicians.…”

Association of Vertigo and Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy

“…[35][36][37] Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy affects approximately 75-80% of pregnant women. 10 Agampodi et al reported that 325 (69.7%) out of 466 pregnant women experienced nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. 19 There is a common ground between nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and vertigo that is a vestibular disorder.…”

“…The prevalence of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy ranges from 50% to 80%. 10,11 Symptoms range from mild nausea to excessive vomiting to a severe form of nauseavomiting called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) with electrolyte imbalances, dehydration and weight loss. Nausea and vomiting may cause discomfort in pregnant women in the mildest form but may become a serious threat to the lives of fetus and pregnant woman in the most severe form.…”

“…However, this issue has not been thoroughly covered in the literature. 10,11 Considering that hormonal factors are involved in both vertigo and nausea and vomiting, it seems logical to look for an association between these conditions. 12 Although its pathophysiology remains uncertain, as nausea and vomiting are important symptoms of vestibular…”