The Importance of Knowing When to Call the Doctor during Pregnancy Nausea
Frequently, women suffer from morning sickness during their first trimester of pregnancy. In most instances this condition is not life threatening to either the mother or her unborn child. However, there are cases where the nausea and vomiting are severe enough to result in serious problems for both mother and child if left untreated. It is crucial to recognize those signs of pregnancy nausea when calling the doctor is vital.
Typically, morning sickness will begin between the fourth and sixth week of pregnancy. For the majority of women, the symptoms of nausea and vomiting will have eased up by the end of their first trimester of pregnancy. If your nausea is severe during this time or if it should continue beyond the first few months, it is important to inform your doctor about your symptoms. You should also contact your doctor immediately if at any time you have been unable to eat or drink during a 24-hour period of time.
While it is rare, there are cases when a woman suffers from extreme nausea and vomiting which prevent her from maintaining a healthy diet and proper fluid intake. This condition is known as hyperemesis gravidarum. Hyper means “over” and emesis is the term for vomiting; gravidarum refers to the “pregnant state”. This condition affects approximately one in every 300 women who are pregnant.
Due to the severity and frequency of the vomiting, if HG is left untreated the mother will become malnourished and dehydrated. Eventually, the mother’s lack of proper nutrition and sufficient fluids will also affect the health of her fetus. Pregnancy nausea when severe warrants a call to your doctor. If it reaches the point that vomiting is occurring more than 2-3 times per day, it is important to inform your health care provider.
Since dehydration can cause serious problems for both the mother and the child, it is important to recognize the symptoms of dehydration. Dehydration, which occurs when the body eliminates more fluids than are being replaced, often results in dizziness. This dizziness is caused by low blood pressure that has resulted from dehydration. Headaches are also often the result of dehydration. Some of the other symptoms that are experienced due to this severe lack of fluids are infrequent urination, a darkening in the color of urine being eliminated, dry skin, dry eyes or mouth, or a feeling of weakness or tiredness. As dehydration intensifies, you may experience confusion and a lack of mental acuity.
In all probability, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms as a result of vomiting, then you are already in the process of becoming dehydrated. It is crucial to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day; it is recommended that you drink 10 glasses of water daily. Dehydration if not given medical attention will become a serious problem. It can result in preterm labor as well as other complications. If you are unable to keep fluids down due to pregnancy nausea, it is necessary to inform your doctor immediately.
