Morning sickness does not improve, despite trying home remedies.
You vomit blood or material that looks like coffee grounds. (Call IMMEDIATELY.)
You lose more than 2 pounds.
You vomit more than 3 times per day or you cannot keep food or liquid down.
Nausea and vomiting continue beyond your 4th month of pregnancy. This happens to some women and is usually normal, but have it checked out.
What to expect at your health care provider's office:
Your doctor will perform a physical examination, including a pelvic exam, and look for any signs of dehydration.
Your doctor may ask questions like the following:
Are you only nauseated or do you also vomit?
Does the nausea and vomiting occur every day?
Does it last throughout the day?
Can you keep down any food or fluid?
Have you been traveling?
Has your schedule been disrupted?
Are you emotionally stressed?
What foods have you been eating?
Do you smoke?
What have you done to try to feel better?
Do you know for sure that you are pregnant?
If not, is it possibly that you are pregnant? For example, do you menstruate and are you sexually active? Have you missed any birth control pills or not used your birth control method?
What other symptoms do you have -- headaches, abdominal pain, breast tenderness, dry mouth, excessive thirst, unintentional weight loss?
Urine analysis for ketones and severity of dehydration
Pregnancy tests
References:
Heinrichs L. Linking olfaction with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, recurrent abortion, hyperemesis gravidarum, and migraine headache. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2002; 186(5 Suppl Understanding): S215-S219.
Quinla JD. Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Am Fam Physician. 2003; 68(1): 121-128.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
.gif)
