2024-01-04 07:00:20
Nausea is frequently associated with the first months of pregnancy and is sometimes even capable of spoiling the start of pregnancy. Until then, the precise causes of this nausea remained mysterious. Researchers have just published in the famous scientific journal Nature their discovery on the origin of pregnancy nausea. Explanations.
Pregnancy nausea and hyperemesis gravidarum
Nausea and vomiting are in many women one of the first signs of early pregnancy. This particular nausea often begins from the first month of pregnancy and tends to lessen from the second trimester of pregnancy. Most often, this nausea, although unpleasant, remains benign and is harmless to the mother and fetus.
However, in approximately 4% of pregnant women, this nausea presents itself as a severe form, called hyperemesis gravidarum. Nausea is then associated with severe and repeated vomiting, which can harm the health of the mother and child. In fact, the pregnant woman is no longer able to eat and hydrate normally, or even begins to lose weight and become dehydrated. Medical treatment is necessary, sometimes with hospitalization. In any case, if nausea or vomiting becomes difficult to manage, you should consult a healthcare professional. Anti-nausea medications (antiemetics) should not be used without the advice of a healthcare professional.
Read also – Daily use of disinfectants during pregnancy might promote allergies in children
What causes pregnancy nausea?
Where does this pregnancy nausea come from, most often benign, but very unpleasant on a daily basis? Until then, the causes remained unknown. The specialists mentioned several risk factors:
A family history of nausea during pregnancy; A history of nausea, or even hyperemesis gravidarum, during a previous pregnancy; The presence of bacteria in the stomach, Helicobacter pylori, responsible for peptic ulcer; A low Body Mass Index (BMI) at the start of pregnancy; Hormonal variations.
However, studies have shown no link between these different factors and the frequency or intensity of nausea and vomiting. The specialists opted for a multifactorial origin nausea during pregnancy.
Read also – Pregnancy, from some nausea and vomiting to hyperemesis gravidarum
A fetal hormone triggers nausea
But a recent study has turned this vision upside down. Researchers have just discovered the role of a hormone produced by the fetus, l’hormone GDF-15. This hormone acts in the maternal brain and is directly involved in the development of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. The production of this hormone and the mother’s sensitivity to the hormone might explain the occurrence of hyperemesis gravidarum. The more the level of the hormone increases in the blood, the more vomiting is present.
Even if the precise mechanisms of the hormone’s action remain to be clarified, it seems that mother’s sensitivity to the GDF-15 hormone varies among women depending on exposure to the hormone before pregnancy. Depending on the woman, variable levels of this hormone are present in the blood circulation outside of pregnancy. Women with low levels may be more sensitive to GDF-15 produced by the fetus than women with high levels. This discovery might make it possible to develop new targeted treatments once morest nausea during pregnancy and in particular once morest hyperemesis gravidarum.
In the meantime, faced with pregnancy nausea, a few simple measures can help pregnant women:
Split meals; Limit fatty, salty or spicy foods; Stay well hydrated by regularly drinking small amounts of water; Sleep with your head elevated (add a pillow); Have a biscuit on the bedside table so you can eat something before getting up. Read also – Proper use of medications during pregnancy
Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy
Sources
– GDF15 linked to maternal risk of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. www.nature.com. Consulté le 2 janvier 2024.
– Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. www.ameli.fr. Accessed January 2, 2024.
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