[Symptom assessment and management of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting]

Pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting are uncomfortable symptoms. These symptoms are consistent across cultures, may persist for extended periods of time during the early stage of pregnancy, and may adversely affect expectant mothers and their fetuses. Further, these symptoms may negatively impact mother and infant health and increase medical costs in the absence of effective diagnosis and symptom management. Relevant literature and research is integrated to propose subjective and objective approaches to assessing symptoms such as a index of nausea, vomiting and retching (INVR) and to develop a preliminary clinical management model that prioritizes using a non-pharmacological strategy to treat mild and moderate nausea and vomiting. Article recommendations provide a practical clinical care reference to help pregnant women successfully pass through this uncomfortable stage and achieve better quality-of-life and birth outcomes.