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If HG continued past mid-pregnancy, did you experience complications during delivery related to your poor health such as a strained ligaments/joints, pelvic floor damage, prolonged or weak pushing, fainting, low blood pressure, low pain tolerance, forceps/assisted delivery, broken bones, nerve damage, low amniotic fluid, fetal problems due to difficult delivery, etc.?

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Taking medications during pregnancy can be very upsetting for women as the general belief is that they will hurt their baby(ies). However, the stress and risks of chronic dehydration, malnutrition, metabolic and emotional stress, as well as reduced mobility will generally develop. These have been demonstrated to increase the risk of complications in mothers and possibly even in their child(ren). Conversely, most studies of medications commonly used for HG have not been found to significantly increase the risk of malformations in the baby.

It is important to not only decide on the correct medication, or combination as is most common, but also to make sure a medication is being tolerated and taken correctly for optimal effectiveness. If a mother cannot swallow a pill or vomits it back up before it dissolves, then oral medications need to be replaced with medications that can be given a different route until a mother is more stable. Some medications can be made into a different form, such as a cream or suppository, by a compounding pharmacy. Others are available as oral dissolvable tablets, patches, or rapidly dissolving films. Trying the most effective medications in different forms is important before trying different medications or deciding any or all meds do not work.

MEDICATION STRATEGIES Brochure

Keep in mind, the primary goal is to reduce nausea and vomiting so the mother can increase her intake and stay as mobile as possible. Risks and benefits must be considered in every case as each mother is unique.

Kimber MacGibbon, RN

  1. Changing medications abruptly or frequently is counterproductive; avoid changing them early in pregnancy if improvement is noted.
  2. Effectiveness changes with increased doses or frequency, changes in route or medication combinations.
  3. Scheduled dosing improves response so discuss taking on a strict schedule with your doctor.
  4. Metabolic imbalance impairs response to meds so make sure you have electrolytes and fluids.
  5. Side-effects are better prevented than managed, especially constipation.
  6. If you have a history of HG, plan and treat proactively, don't wait until you are very sick.
  7. Wean all meds slowly after a few weeks of stability with adequate eating and drinking.
  8. Medication may be needed until delivery and is better than frequents ups and downs.
  9. Women can offer valuable insight into their care and should discuss ideas with their doctor.
  10. HG is traumatic so it should be treated compassionately and women should contact the HER Foundation for support.


DISCLAIMER
:

This is general information and not intended to, and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, or a treatment plan for any individual. You should not use the information in place of consultation or advice of a healthcare provider. The author and the HER Foundation are not liable in any way for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or product you choose based on this information or any other HER Foundation resource.


RESOURCES:

Ondansetron in Pregnancy and Risk of Adverse Fetal Outcomes. N Engl J Med 2013; 368:814-823.
Risk factors, treatments, and outcomes associated with prolonged hyperemesis gravidarum. J Matern Fetal Neo Med. 2012 Jun;25(6):632-6.
Posttraumatic stress symptoms following pregnancy complicated by hyperemesis gravidarum. J Matern Fetal Neo Med. 2011 Nov;24(11):1307-11.
Symptoms and pregnancy outcomes associated with extreme weight loss among women with HG. J Women’s Health. 2009 Dec;18(12):1981-7.
For more information: www.HelpHER.org/HER-Research

 

Updated on: Sep. 15, 2022

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