About NVP
How Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy Affect Daily Life
NVP affects the majority of pregnant women1
- Up to 85% of women experience at least one symptom of NVP during their pregnancy.1
- Week 9 of pregnancy is when symptoms typically peak, with symptoms ceasing for 90% of women by week 16.1, 2
NVP can have a broad impact on quality of life3
In a 2012 U.S. online National Consumer Survey in pregnant women (n=621), various impacts of NVP (affecting >65% of respondents) on domestic and social life were reported.
71% Responsibilities – taking care of household chores (n=441)
68% Family life – enjoying activities with family and friends (n=422)
67% Social life – willingness or motivation to be socially active (n=416)
66% Relationships – intimacy with partner (n=410)
66% Productivity – concentrating on tasks (n=410)
Impact on maternal health
Maternal complications are varied and depend on the severity of symptoms; complications are more likely in women with severe NVP. 4,5
More common complications include:
* Weight loss
* Dehydration
* Fatigue
* Electrolyte imbalance
* Difficulty managing conditions that require medication
* Nutritional and vitamin deficiencies
* Abnormal liver function tests
* Oesophagitis, gastritis
Impact on fetal health
Mild to moderate NVP typically does not harm the fetus if the woman is able to keep some foods down and remain hydrated.6
Severe NVP that is untreated or poorly managed can pose risks to the baby through maternal malnutrition and dehydration.5
Risks to the fetus include: 5
* Low birthweight
* Small for gestational age
* Preterm birth
What causes NVP?
The main mechanism of NVP is now thought to be hypersensitivity to the vomiting hormone, growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), which is produced by the fetus.4,7
GDF15 activates the vomiting centre of the brain, and higher circulating levels have been found in pregnant women who:7
• Were hospitalised with HG
• Were taking antiemetics
• Had second trimester vomiting
Diagnosis of NVP
NVP can be diagnosed when onset is in the first trimester and other causes of symptoms have been excluded. Onset after 11 weeks usually suggest an alternative cause of symptoms.5
Consider using a validated questionnaire to assess the severity of symptoms: 4
• Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE; right) or
• Hyperemesis Level Prediction (HELP) scores.
Assessing mental health as well as physical health is important.4
Online survey of pregnant women in the US (n=621) conducted in 2012. Respondents were at least 16 weeks pregnant or had given birth within the past 6 months, had experienced nausea and/or vomiting during their current or recent pregnancy, and had received routine prenatal care. In all cases, the impact of NVP was significantly more prevalent in women with moderate/severe NVP than those with mild NVP (P<0.05).3
Abbreviations: NVP, Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy; GDF-15, Growth Differentiation Factor-15 ; HG, Hyperemesis Gravidarum; PUQE, Pregnancy-Unique Qualification of Emesis; HELP, Hyperemesis Level Prediction Scores.
References: 1. Whitehead, S.A., et al. J Obstet and Gynaecol. 1992; 12(6):364-369. 2. Gadsby, R., et al. Br J Gen Prac. 1993;43:245-248. 3. Clark, S., et al. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2013;68:S1-S10. 4. Nelson-Piercy C, et al. The management of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum (Green-top guidelines no. 69). BJOG 2024;131:e1–e30. 5. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Nausea/vomiting in pregnancy. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/nausea-vomitingin-pregnancy/ (accessed July 2025). 6. Nana M, et al. Hyperemesis gravidarum is associated with increased rates of termination of pregnancy and suicidal ideation: results from a survey completed by >5000 participants. AJOG 2021;224:629–631. 7. Fejzo, M et al. GDF15 linked to maternal risk of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Nature 2023; DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06921-9.
