Diary reports of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy can have a profound effect on the lives of some women. Symptoms have been reported across cultures and throughout recorded history, but interventions that consistently relieve symptoms have not been documented. As part of a larger study, strategies or situations that stimulate or relieve nausea and vomiting or retching were evaluated qualitatively. Participants (n = 124) who experienced nausea during pregnancy with or without vomiting/retching kept a diary for 7 days, recording any interventions or symptom relief measures that they used, evaluating the effectiveness of these measures, and recording activities or situations that exacerbated their symptoms. Data from the diaries were categorized using content analysis. Rest, particularly napping, was a measure that was universally employed to relieve symptoms. Participants reported that almost any type of sensory perception could stimulate symptoms. Sensory stimuli were often exaggerated or altered, with perceptions of odors being profoundly affected. Implications for nursing practice are discussed.