Could pregnancy sickness be a good thing?

Published on: 07/11/2016

A recent study has suggested that women experiencing vomiting and nausea in early pregnancy may be at less risk of pregnancy loss.

The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, was part of the analysis from the Effects of Aspirin in Gestation and Reproduction trial. The trial involves women with one or two pregnancy losses, who are actively trying to conceive, receive either aspirin or a placebo. Daily urine samples, and diary recordings of nausea and vomiting were collected.

797 women with confirmed pregnancies were included, with 188 (23.6%) ending in a loss, at a median gestational age of 7 weeks. At two weeks gestation, 17.8% of women reported nausea without vomiting whilst 2.7% report nausea with vomiting. At eight weeks, the incidences grew to 57.3% reporting nausea alone, and 26.6% reporting nausea with vomiting.

Overall, the study found that nausea alone was linked to a 50% reduction in pregnancy loss risk, whilst nausea with vomiting was linked to a 75% reduction. The authors noted, that “Our study confirms prior research that nausea and vomiting appear to be more than a sign of still being pregnancy and instead may be associated with a lower risk for pregnancy loss.”

However, it was also noted that “Although such a designation may provide reassurance to some women, they should not be discouraged from seeking treatment for a condition that can have a considerable negative effect on their quality of life.”

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