Treatment
Treating HG symptoms early in pregnancy can make you less sick in the long run and can decrease recovery time. Because HG is caused by many factors that vary between women, it is difficult to find a treatment that works for everyone. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
Diet
Frequent small meals, bland or dry foods, high-protein choices.
Anti-nausea Medications
Reducing nausea, and thus allowing eating and drinking, will hasten recovery. Due to the risk of stating that a drug is safe for use during pregnancy, very few pharmaceutical manufacturers will say that their drugs are intended for a pregnancy condition like HG (examples: promethazine or prochlorperazine ). However, physicians often recommend that women with HG take certain anti-nausea medications, balancing the potential benefits and risks. Talk to your doctor about the right medications for you.
A common and safe remedy is to take supplemental vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that first-line treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy should start with pyridoxine with or without doxylamine. Pyridoxine has been found to be effective in significantly reducing severe vomiting.
IV Hydration and Anti-nausea Medications
In urgent visit situations, HG can be managed by giving the woman fluids and vitamins intravenously. This can sometimes be done without hospitalization. Very rarely, some women require IV fluids throughout the entire pregnancy.
Nutrition by Vein
If a woman is unable to tolerate food by mouth, she may need to receive nutrition by vein. This is called parenteral nutrition. A special kind of catheter is placed in a large vein and liquid nutrition is given. This can sometimes be done without hospitalization. Enteral feeding —supplying food through a feeding tube into the intestines—is another option (albeit unpopular).
Alternative Therapy
Acupressure may help to reduce nausea. Acupressure is when pressure is applied to acupuncture points.
Termination of Pregnancy
In extreme cases, induced abortion may be considered.
If you are diagnosed with HG, follow your doctor's instructions .
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.