For Healthcare Professionals Only

Nausea and Vomiting in
Pregnancy (NVP)

This page is intended for Irish Healthcare Professionals only

What is NVP?

NVP is a condition that can affect up to 80% of expectant mothers.⁴It can have a significant impact on the expectant mother’s family life, on the ability to perform usual daily activities, on social functioning, and on stress levels.^5,6

The most severe form of NVP is commonly known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) which can affect up to 3.6% of pregnant women.⁹

Evidence suggests that recognising and managing NVP early may prevent a more severe form from developing. This can also reduce the impact on women’s health and quality of life during pregnancy, as well as the financial impact on the health care system. ⁶

Cariban is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy in adults who do not respond to conservative management. (Limitations of use: The combination doxylamine/pyridoxine has not been studied in case of hyperemesis gravidarum)¹

When and why does NVP occur?⁹

When?

NVP typically starts between the 4^th & 7^th weeks of gestation, peaks in approximately the 9^th week and in the majority of patients will subside by week twenty.⁹

Why?

The exact cause is unknown. However, recently the major mechanism of NVP has been elucidated to be related to hypersensitivity to the vomiting hormone growth differentiation factor-15.⁹

When?

NVP typically starts between the 4^th & 7^th weeks of gestation, peaks in approximately the 9^th week and in the majority of patients will subside by week twenty.⁹
Why?

The exact cause is unknown. However, recently the major mechanism of NVP has been elucidated to be related to hypersensitivity to the vomiting hormone growth differentiation factor-15.⁹

How is NVP diagnosed, assessed and treated?

Diagnosing

NVP is diagnosed when onset is prior to 16 weeks of gestation and other causes of nausea and vomiting have been excluded.

The most severe form of NVP can be diagnosed when symptoms start in early pregnancy, nausea and/or vomiting are severe enough to cause an inability to eat and drink normally and strongly limits daily activities of living. Signs of dehydration are contributory to diagnosis.⁹

Assessing

An objective and validated scoring index of nausea and vomiting such as the Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE) tool can be used to classify the severity of NVP.⁹

Click here to learn more about the PUQE assessment tool.

Treating

For those who fail to respond to conservative management, Cariban is the first-line pharmacological treatment recommended for NVP according to Irish clinical guidelines.²

Nausea and Vomiting in
Pregnancy (NVP)

What is NVP?