Pre-emptive Treatment of Severe Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) affects up to 80% of pregnant women, persists throughout pregnancy in 20% of women. 1%-3% of pregnant women experience the extreme form called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), described as intractable vomiting associated with weight loss of more than 5% of pre-pregnancy weight, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances which may lead to hospitalization. Treatment involves administration of antiemetics once NVP occurs. Although there is wide evidence of fetal safety of several antiemetic medications, women and health professionals are often reluctant to use antiemetics due to a heightened misperception of teratogenic risk. Diclectin® is a prescription drug in Canada specifically indicated for treatment of NVP. Our preliminary research has shown Diclectin® to be effective for pre-emptive treatment for NVP symptoms in women who experienced severe NVP/HG in their previous pregnancy. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of Diclectin as a pre-emptive treatment for NVP and HG in a randomized controlled trial. In the Pre-emptive Treatment Group, as soon as a patient becomes aware of the present pregnancy, and before the NVP starts, she will take an initial Diclectin® dose, followed by standard dosing to match symptoms once NVP develops. In the Standard Treatment Group women will take Diclectin® only at appearance of symptoms. A natural history control group will also be included. This study will determine whether pre-emptive use of Diclectin will reduce the incidence of severe forms of this syndrome/HG.

Inclusion criteria

• Pregnancy of less than 9 weeks gestation with no symptoms of NVP
• Not pregnant
• Include all women with severe NVP/HG in a previous pregnancy regardless of outcome
• Severe NVP/HG in a previous pregnancy verbally confirmed by the initial recruitment intake questionnaire or previous pregnancy history of NVP/HG section (duration, severity, treatments, and hospitalisation)
• Verbally agree to participate in the study and send back rhe informed consent form
• Sufficient French or English language skills to understand the questionnaire and assessment material
• Women who agree to take Diclectin®
• Women can enrol with a consecutive pregnancy, if the study is still ongoing

Exclusion criteria

• Women who refuse to participate in the study or to send back the signed consent form
• Women with insufficient French or English language skills to understand the questionnaire and assessment material
• Women their first pregnancy and those who havn't suffered severe NVP/HG in previous pregnancy
• Gestational age beyond 9w+0d weeks of pregnancy
• Pregnant women who already suffer symptoms of NVP
• Pregnant women with known hypersensitivities to Diclectin®
• Women who do not agree to take Diclectin®
• Women who suffer symptoms of pyelonephritis, thyrotoxicosis, gestational trophoblastic neoplasia
• Pregnant women less than 18 years of age