Dealing with excessive vomiting in early pregnancy

I need your help. I am 2 months pregnant and I have been vomiting excessively. I can’t retain any fluids or feeds. What should I do please?
Nausea and vomiting is very common in early pregnancy. For some, it is the initial indication of an unplanned pregnancy. It’s usually caused by rising levels of a particular hormone produced in early pregnancy. Luckily, the hormone levels tend to taper off as the pregnancy advances. For the majority, the nausea and vomiting tends to resolve by the end of the first 3 months.

The most important thing is to try and maintain a certain level of hydration and feeding. Simple remedies can be tried first. Spreading out small and frequent feeds throughout the day adds up to a good amount capable of sustaining early pregnancy requirements. Remember to balance what you ingest, aiming to get adequate amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and other micro-nutrients. Fluids are particularly important, as dangerous levels of dehydration can quickly set in on a background of nausea and vomiting. You should still continue taking the recommended pregnancy supplements.

Some women will require medication to reduce the nausea and stop vomiting. There are many oral medications available in the market and deemed safe for use in pregnancy. It’s best though to check with your obstetrician or midwife before self-medicating with any tablets. The principle is to start treatment with mild medications, and graduate to more potent medications as may be necessary.

For some, simple measures will not stop the nausea and vomiting. The situation becomes more dire if nothing is being tolerated, with dehydration setting in pretty quickly. In such cases, admission to hospital becomes necessary. Intravenous fluids are often necessary to correct the dehydration, in conjunction with inject-able medications to stop the vomiting. It is not unusual to stay in the hospital for a few days prior to being able to tolerate oral feeds and fluids.

Some tests become necessary once admitted into hospital with severe vomiting and dehydration. Such tests will determine whether additional supplements will be required in conjunction with the re hydration fluids. You will also require an early pregnancy scan. Women with twins experience more nausea and vomiting, while some rare cases of abnormal pregnancies may present with disproportionate nausea and vomiting. If an abnormal pregnancy gets diagnosed, specific treatment is usually required.

Don’t sit around with severe nausea and vomiting in the hope that things will settle down spontaneously. You are simply predisposing yourself to further risks. Make your way to the nearest maternity unit where help is readily available. Once stabilized, and the pregnancy advances further, you will be able to get back to enjoying your culinary delights.