Extreme nausea during pregnancy: what to do

Nausea and vomiting can occur during pregnancy, but severe symptoms can make it difficult to drink, eat, take medicines, or manage daily activities. Other causes remain possible, including gastroenteritis, food poisoning, gastritis, acid reflux, gallstones, hepatitis A, heat exhaustion, or low blood sugar. Abdominal pain, fever, diarrhoea, yellow skin, dizziness, or urinary changes may point to another problem and should be reported.

Take small sips often and try an oral rehydration drink if your maternity clinician recommends it. Eat small portions of plain foods when able; keeping a snack near the bed may help before standing. Avoid personal triggers such as strong smells, rest after eating, and keep a record of fluids, vomiting, urine, weight change, and medicines. Ask your maternity team about pregnancy-appropriate anti-sickness treatment rather than self-medicating.

Contact your maternity team promptly if you cannot keep fluids down, pass very little urine, feel faint, have a racing heartbeat, or are losing weight. Seek urgent help for severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit, confusion, fainting, high fever, yellow skin, or marked weakness. Assessment may include hydration, urine, blood tests, and treatment to control vomiting safely in pregnancy.

Ask which fluids, foods, and anti-sickness medicines are suitable for you, and when you should attend an assessment unit. Mention how many times you vomit, what stays down, urine changes, abdominal pain, fever, diabetes, recent food exposure, and every medicine or supplement.