Interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Evidence-Based Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Nausea, retching, and vomiting are common in early pregnancy, significantly impacting women's physical, social, and psychological well-being.
• This review is an update of previous research on interventions for these symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of all interventions for nausea, vomiting, and retching in early pregnancy (up to 20 weeks' gestation).

Main Methods:

• Searched Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to April 2013.
• Included RCTs of interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy, excluding hyperemesis gravidarum and quasi-randomized/cross-over trials.
• Four reviewers assessed trial eligibility, risk of bias, and extracted data independently.

Main Results:

• Thirty-seven trials involving 5049 women were included, covering interventions like acupressure, ginger, vitamin B6, and antiemetics.
• Limited evidence exists for acupressure and ginger; acupuncture showed no significant benefit.
• Pharmacological agents and vitamin B6 had limited supporting evidence for mild to moderate symptoms; data on adverse outcomes were scarce.

Conclusions:

• High prevalence of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy necessitates clear guidance on effective, safe interventions.
• A lack of high-quality evidence currently exists to support any specific intervention.
• Further research with consistent methodologies and outcomes is crucial to inform clinical practice.