Caring for women with nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: New approaches

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) is a frequently occurring but often debilitating condition. The more severe form, hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) results in increased health care use and a reduced quality of life for sufferers. Management is inconsistent and results in multiple admissions and poor experience of the health care system. Women feel isolated, depressed and lonely and are often treated unsympathetically. Assessment of the severity of symptoms alongside alternative approaches which take into account the interaction between social, psychological and biological events should be considered. A combination of traditional and alternative remedies may be of benefit while ongoing information, advice, social, psychological and emotional support results in increased knowledge, reassurance and confidence which hopefully empowers and encourages women to carry out hearth promoting activities. This can be carried out in person or via telephone which is an economical and convenient option. Ultimately this should result in improved care and quality of life for sufferers.