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Hormonal and psychological factors in nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 January 2019

Guus W.F. Dekkers Open the ORCID record for Guus W.F. Dekkers [Opens in a new window] ,
Maarten A.C. Broeren ,
Sophie E.M. Truijens ,
Willem J. Kop  and
Victor J.M. Pop
Guus W.F. Dekkers
Affiliation:
Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
Maarten A.C. Broeren
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, Máxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
Sophie E.M. Truijens
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Máxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
Willem J. Kop
Affiliation:
Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
Victor J.M. Pop*
Affiliation:
Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
*
Author for correspondence: Victor J.M. Pop, E-mail: V.J.M.Pop@uvt.nl
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Abstract

Background

The aetiology of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) is multifactorial, but the relative contribution of biological and psychological determinants is insufficiently understood. We examined the association of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), thyroid hormones (thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroxin) and psychological factors with NVP.

Methods

Blood chemistry and psychological measures were obtained in 1682 pregnant women participating in the Holistic Approach to Pregnancy and the first Postpartum Year (HAPPY) study between 12 and 14 weeks of gestation. The presence of NVP was measured using the Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis scale. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Depression Scale. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the independent role of hCG, thyroid hormones and depression as related to NVP, adjusting for age, body mass index, education, parity, smoking status, unplanned pregnancy and history of depression.

Results

Elevated levels of NVP were observed in 318 (18.9%) participants. High hCG levels [odds ratio (OR) = 1.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.11–1.95], elevated depressive symptoms in the first trimester (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.15–2.43) and a history of depression (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.11–2.11) were independently related to high NVP. Multiparity (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.12–1.92) and younger age (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.87–0.94) were also associated with high NVP, whereas (sub)clinical hyperthyroidism was not related to high NVP.

Conclusions

The current study is the first to demonstrate that a combination of hCG hormone and psychological factors are independently related to nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy.

Keywords

DepressionhCGnauseaNVPpregnancythyroid function
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 50 , Issue 2 , January 2020 , pp. 229 - 236
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019

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