Morning Sickness in Second Trimester Pregnancy More Risky Against Complications

Jakarta, Pregnant women who experience severe morning sickness is known to have a higher risk of complications of pregnancy. The risk is also increased if morning sickness persisted until the second trimester of pregnancy.

A study showed that women who continue to experience morning sickness until the second trimester of pregnancy, 2 times more likely to develop developpreeclampsia and 1.4 times more likely to have babies with low birth weight. The second trimester of pregnancy is defined as a gestational age between 12 to 21 weeks.
The study was conducted by scientists in Sweden against pregnant women who were hospitalized because of severe morning sickness, called hyperemesis gravidarum.
Hyperemesis gravidarum made international news last month when Kate Middleton, the British royal law hospitalized for 4 days in the hospital because of the condition. Last week, British media reported that Middleton undergoing hypnotherapy to overcome hyperemesis gravidarum.
Morning sickness can lead to severe malnutrition and dehydration in pregnant women and has previously been linked to premature birth. Most pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy and usually will subside after the pregnancy reaches 10 to 16 weeks.
"If morning sickness is still lasting more than 16 to 21 weeks, you should be alert and immediately seek medical help," said Marie Bolin, head of research from Uppsala University's Department of Women's and Children's Health.
Severe morning sickness thought to be caused by high levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is made by the placenta and are produced mainly during the first trimester of pregnancy. HCG levels were higher during the second trimester may indicate an abnormal formation of the placenta.
The study published in the journal BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology on January 30 yesterday, as reported by FoxNews, Thursday (01/31/2013).
Sources: http://health.detik.com/read/2013/02/01/073138/2158231/1299/