Severe pregnancy-related nausea

Approximately 1% of pregnant women experience severe pregnancy-related nausea and may vomit several times a day, a condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum. With severe pregnancy-related nausea, you might feel extremely ill, often throughout the entire day. Some people vomit so frequently that they become severely dehydrated. When this happens, it can be difficult to get enough food and fluids. Some women even require hospitalisation and nutritional support through a drip.

The extreme nausea tends to pass

For most people, pregnancy-related nausea tends to improve around week 20. However, some feel nauseous throughout pregnancy. For some, the nausea can make pregnancy feel unbearable. If you feel very ill you should talk to your healthcare provider.

If you’re worried about feeling nauseous or vomiting, or if you’re losing weight, you should contact your healthcare provider. You can also contact the national healthcare information service (1177). They can help assess your symptoms and advise you on where to seek care.