Vomiting during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the female body undergoes a variety of hormonal and physical changes. Especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, morning vomiting is very common. The reasons for this are not completely clear.

It is assumed that there is a multifactorial process in which the muscle tension in the stomach sphincter is reduced. On the other hand, increased olfactory sensitivity and elevated levels of the hormone hCG probably also play a role. Contrary to earlier assumptions, however, morning vomiting is not an unfavorable prognosis factor for the course of pregnancy.

Thus, studies have not found a correlation between vomiting and miscarriage rates. Vomiting can occur up to 5 times a day. In these cases, however, an intestinal infection must also be considered, since such a frequent number (called hyperemesis gravidarum) exceeds the normal level after all.

For pregnant women it is also important to eat a sufficient caloric and electrolyte-rich diet. Finally, not only the own body but also that of the child must be sufficiently supplied. During pregnancy, however, any intake of antiemetics (“anti-breaking agents”) should be clarified in advance with the treating physician, since many medications have an embryotoxic effect and their intake is therefore contraindicated. In fact, very few drugs are even approved for use during pregnancy! You can read more information about this here: Medicines against vomiting

Vomiting in combination with fever

In almost all cases of food poisoning, besides nausea and vomiting, fever also occurs. Especially in the case of salmonella poisoning, fever is to be expected in addition to abdominal cramps and chills. Fever is always an attempt by the body to kill off the pathogens through increased temperatures.

A few degrees difference is often enough. In itself, fever is therefore a helpful means of getting rid of an infection and should not be artificially lowered if possible. Only when critical temperatures above 40 degrees are reached, or other factors make fever appear unfavorable, should antipyretic agents be used.

Classical antipyretic agents are aspirin or ibuprofen. However, fever is the body’s natural way to get rid of its pathogens. An artificial reduction to 37 degrees should therefore always be well considered.