Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy

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#acupressure #acupuncture-therapy #adrenal-cortex-hormones #antiemetics #female

Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy

Festin et al., 2014 | BMJ Clin Evid | Systematic Review

Citation

Festin Mario. Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. BMJ Clin Evid. 2014-Mar-19;2014

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: More than half of pregnant women suffer from nausea and vomiting, which typically begins by the fourth week and disappears by the 16th week of pregnancy. The cause of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is unknown, but may be due to the rise in human chorionic gonadotrophin concentration. In 1 in 200 women, the condition progresses to hyperemesis gravidarum, which is characterised by prolonged and severe nausea and vomiting, dehydration, and weight loss. METHODS AND OUTCOMES: We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of treatment for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy? What are the effects of treatments for hyperemesis gravidarum? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to September 2013 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically; please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). RESULTS: We found 32 studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions. CONCLUSIONS: In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: acupressure; acupuncture; corticosteroids; ginger; metoclopramide; ondansetron; prochlorperazine; promethazine; and pyridoxine (vitamin B6).

Key Findings

We found 32 studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population pregnant women
Sample Size 32
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Acupressure
  • Acupuncture Therapy
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Antiemetics
  • Female
  • Zingiber officinale
  • Humans
  • Nausea
  • Pregnancy
  • Pyridoxine
  • Vomiting

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-b6

Provenance

  • PMID: 24646807
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: PMC3959188
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09