ABSTRACT
Vomiting and nausea are caused by physiological changes during pregnancy, and are nearly the most common symptoms of early pregnancy, second only to amenorrhoea. It affects up to 50–90 per cent of pregnant women. Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a severe form of vomiting in pregnancy and effects one per cent of pregnant women. The features of HG include intractable vomiting associated with weight loss of more than five per cent of pre-pregnancy weight, ptyalism and associated spitting, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, ketosis, and the need for admission to hospital. Gastroenteritis and food poisoning are common causes of vomiting in pregnancy. The onset of vomiting is abrupt and related to the ingestion of food. Pre-existing allergies to food products, such as eggs or nuts, can cause intractable vomiting after inadvertent ingestion. Gallstones may be commonly associated with pregnancy, and can cause both hyperacidity and vomiting.
