Korean J Perinatol.
2009 Jun;20(2):95-105.
Morning Sickness of Pregnancy
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea. kimyh@chonnam.ac.kr
Abstract
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Morning sickness is a common condition in early pregnancy, and it affects the health of both the pregnant woman and fetus. It can decrease the woman's quality of life and also contribute significantly to health care costs and time off work. In most women the condition is mild and self limiting, but a small percentage of women experience severe form being hyperemesis gravidarum. Once symptoms progress, treatment can become more difficult. So, the treatment in the early stages is important to prevent more serious complications, including hospitalization. Once pathologic causes have been ruled out, treatment is individualized. Initial treatment should be conservative and should involve dietary and lifestyle changes. But, severe or prolonged cases may need hospitalization and pharmacologic therapy.