Evaluation of frequency of nausea and vomiting as well as depression level in pregnant women.

Objective: To determine the frequency of nausea and vomiting in pregnant (NVP) women, review associated factors, and evaluate the depression level.

Materials And Methods: The study is a cross-sectional research conducted in pregnant women who applied to Sakarya Training and Research Hospital and Sakarya Maternity and Children Hospital between January 13, 2013 and March 23, 2013. The study group consisted of 606 pregnant women who were below 20 weeks gestation and agreed to take part in the study. The questionnaire form prepared in line with the study objective was completed by the pregnant women under supervision. The women who had a complaint of nausea and vomiting at least once a day during their pregnancy were deemed as "having a history of nausea and vomiting". Rhodes index was used to evaluate the severity of nausea and vomiting. Depression level was evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory. Chi-square test and Spearman's Correlation Analysis were used to analyze the data. Statistical significance value was accepted as p < 0.05.

Results: The age of pregnant women in the study group ranged from 17 to 39 years (mean age: 25.55 ± 4.95). The frequency of having nausea and vomiting in the pregnant women was determined to be 35.1% (n = 213). The frequency of having nausea and vomiting was determined to be higher in those with a nuclear family, working women, those with a poor family income, those who used any contraception method before the pregnancy, and those who had a history of nausea and vomiting in their previous pregnancy(ies) (p < 0.05 for each). The pregnant women with a history of nausea and vomiting reported that their complaints increased the most with the smell of food as well as perfume/cigarette/body odor. In the women with a history of nausea and vomiting, frequency of depression was significantly higher (p < 0.05). A positive relationship was found between the severity of nausea and vomiting and depression level (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Nausea and vomiting were determined to be a major health problem in pregnancy. Depression frequency was higher in those with a history of nausea and history. The severity of nausea and vomiting increased with higher depression levels. More detailed studies are required to determine the causes of NVP as well as the risk factors.