Psychosocial Effects of Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Systematic Literature Review
Abstract
Objective: Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a severe form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that can have significant physical consequences for the pregnant individual. However, studying affected patients often reveals an additional dimension of impact—specifically, the psychosocial effects on their quality of life.
Materials and methods: This literature review was conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Relevant articles were identified through a systematic search across three major databases on May 18, 2024: Google Scholar, Cochrane, and PubMed.
Results: 19 full-text articles met inclusion criteria. Across all studies, HG was consistently associated with poorer psychiatric health, strained social relationships, and broader psychosocial burdens.
Conclusion: This particular review highlights the importance of appropriately taking a psychosocial history with patients at obstetric appointments. In addition, it encourages the practicing physician to delve further into the psychosocial health of each of their patients during these visits. Lastly, this review provides definitive evidence from a number of sources that these patients are truly suffering and calls to action investigation into new treatments and treatment methodologies to provide benefits for these needy patients.
1. London V, Grube S, Sherer DM, Abulafia O. Hyperemesis gravidarum: a review of recent literature. Pharmacology. 2017;100(3-4):161-171.
2. Lowe SA, Steinweg KE. Review article: Management of hyperemesis gravidarum and nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Emerg Med Australas. 2022;34(1):9-15.
3. Merhavy CE, Dietz GI, Merhavy ZI. Helping providers better understand hyperemesis gravidarum. International Journal of Family Medicine & Healthcare. 2024;3(1).
4. MacGibbon KW. Hyperemesis gravidarum. J Infus Nurs. 2020;43(2):78-96.
5. Munch S. Chicken or the egg? The biological-psychological controversy surrounding hyperemesis gravidarum. Soc Sci Med. 2002;55(7):1267-1278.
6. Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG; PRISMA Group. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: the PRISMA statement. PLoS Med. 2009 Jul 21;6(7):e1000097.
7. Tremmel M, Gerdtham UG, Nilsson PM, Saha S. Economic burden of obesity: a systematic literature review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017;14(4):435.
8. Haddaway NR, Page MJ, Pritchard CC, McGuinness LA. PRISMA2020: an R package and Shiny app for producing PRISMA 2020-compliant flow diagrams, with interactivity for optimised digital transparency and Open Synthesis. Campbell Syst Rev. 2022 Jun 27;18(2):e1230.
9. Caporaso E, Oliver D, Rusher M. A pregnant woman with hyperemesis gravidarum admitted to the psychiatric ward. Psychiatr Ann. 2020;50(10):469-472.
10. Tian R, MacGibbon K, Martin B, Mullin P, Fejzo M. Analysis of pre- and post-pregnancy issues in women with hyperemesis gravidarum. Auton Neurosci. 2017;202:73-78.
11. Mitchell-Jones N, Lawson K, Bobdiwala S, Farren JA, Tobias A, Bourne T, et al. Association between hyperemesis gravidarum and psychological symptoms, psychosocial outcomes and infant bonding: a two-point prospective case-control multicentre survey study in an inner city setting. BMJ Open. 2020;10(10):e039715.
12. Nijsten K, van der Minnen LM, Dean C, Bais JMJ, Ris-Stalpers C, van Eekelen R, et al. Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms after hyperemesis gravidarum: a prospective cohort study. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2022;35(25):10055-10063.
13. Yang G, Hisada A, Yamamoto M, Kawanami A, Mori C, Sakurai K, et al. Effect of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy on mother-to-infant bonding and the mediation effect of postpartum depression: the Japan Environment and Children's Study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2023;23(1):704.
14. Mazzotta P, Stewart DE, Koren G, Magee LA. Factors associated with elective termination of pregnancy among Canadian and American women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2001;22(1):7-12.
15. Yuniastutiningsih H, Nafi'ati DL. Obstetric and psychological care for pregnant woman with hyperemesis gravidarum with moderate anxiety. Journal of Psychiatry Psychology and Behavioral Research. 2021;2(2):11-13.
16. Christodoulou-Smith J, Gold JI, Romero R, Goodwin TM, MacGibbon KW, Mullin PM, et al. Posttraumatic stress symptoms following pregnancy complicated by hyperemesis gravidarum. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2011;24(11):1307-1311.
17. Elgathafi A, Elharary F, Al Shawbaki M, Boubataina H. Prevalence and risk factors of anxiety and depression among cases of hyperemesis gravidarum. The Scientific Journal of University of Benghazi. 2023;36(1).
18. Mazzotta P, Stewart D, Atanackovic G, Koren G, Magee LA. Psychosocial morbidity among women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: prevalence and association with anti-emetic therapy. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2000;21(3):129-136.
19. El-Skaan RGA, Abdelrahman RM, Hassan AMA. Retrospective analysis of hyperemesis gravidarum and its psychological impact during hospital admission.
J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2023;73(Suppl 1):19-24.
20. Beck CT. Survivors' experiences of hyperemesis gravidarum. J Infus Nurs. 2023 Nov-Dec;46(6):338-346.
21. Beirne ER, Andrews LB, Murtagh LP, Browne S, Curran SB, O'Brien EC. The far-reaching burden of hyperemesis gravidarum: an exploration of women's experiences and perceptions of healthcare support. Women Health. 2023;63(7):485-494.
22. Poursharif B, Korst LM, Fejzo MS, MacGibbon
KW, Romero R, Goodwin TM. The psychosocial burden of hyperemesis gravidarum. J Perinatol. 2008;28(3):176-181.
23. Şafak Öztürk C, Kaya Odabaş R, Sökmen Y, Taşpınar A. The relationship between nausea-vomiting during pregnancy and attachment styles, marital adjustment, and ways of coping. J Sex Marital Ther. 2023;49(1):65-76.
24. Sharma V. Treatment of depression in a patient with intractable hyperemesis gravidarum. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2021;23(6):20cr02905.
25. Laitinen L, Nurmi M, Kulovuori N, Koivisto M, Ojala E, Rautava P, et al. Usability of Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis questionnaire in women hospitalised for hyperemesis gravidarum: a prospective cohort study. BMJ Open. 2022 May 11;12(5):e058364.
26. Doherty J, McHale H, Killeen SL, Curran S, Bennett M, Sheehy L, et al. Women's experiences of hyperemesis gravidarum and of attending a dedicated multidisciplinary hydration clinic. Women Birth. 2023 Nov;36(6):e661-e668.
27. Havnen GC, Truong MBT, Do MLH, Heitmann K, Holst L, Nordeng H. Women's perspectives on the management and consequences of hyperemesis gravidarum: a descriptive interview study. Scand
J Prim Health Care. 2019;37(1):30-40.
28. Simtion CA, Simtion KA, Merhavy ZI, Samways Guimarães AF, Aijaz A, Merhavy CE, et al. The impact of Mediterranean diet on colorectal cancer recurrence following chemotherapy treatment: a systematic review. World Nutrition. 2024;15(1):51-59.
2. Lowe SA, Steinweg KE. Review article: Management of hyperemesis gravidarum and nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Emerg Med Australas. 2022;34(1):9-15.
3. Merhavy CE, Dietz GI, Merhavy ZI. Helping providers better understand hyperemesis gravidarum. International Journal of Family Medicine & Healthcare. 2024;3(1).
4. MacGibbon KW. Hyperemesis gravidarum. J Infus Nurs. 2020;43(2):78-96.
5. Munch S. Chicken or the egg? The biological-psychological controversy surrounding hyperemesis gravidarum. Soc Sci Med. 2002;55(7):1267-1278.
6. Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG; PRISMA Group. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: the PRISMA statement. PLoS Med. 2009 Jul 21;6(7):e1000097.
7. Tremmel M, Gerdtham UG, Nilsson PM, Saha S. Economic burden of obesity: a systematic literature review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017;14(4):435.
8. Haddaway NR, Page MJ, Pritchard CC, McGuinness LA. PRISMA2020: an R package and Shiny app for producing PRISMA 2020-compliant flow diagrams, with interactivity for optimised digital transparency and Open Synthesis. Campbell Syst Rev. 2022 Jun 27;18(2):e1230.
9. Caporaso E, Oliver D, Rusher M. A pregnant woman with hyperemesis gravidarum admitted to the psychiatric ward. Psychiatr Ann. 2020;50(10):469-472.
10. Tian R, MacGibbon K, Martin B, Mullin P, Fejzo M. Analysis of pre- and post-pregnancy issues in women with hyperemesis gravidarum. Auton Neurosci. 2017;202:73-78.
11. Mitchell-Jones N, Lawson K, Bobdiwala S, Farren JA, Tobias A, Bourne T, et al. Association between hyperemesis gravidarum and psychological symptoms, psychosocial outcomes and infant bonding: a two-point prospective case-control multicentre survey study in an inner city setting. BMJ Open. 2020;10(10):e039715.
12. Nijsten K, van der Minnen LM, Dean C, Bais JMJ, Ris-Stalpers C, van Eekelen R, et al. Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms after hyperemesis gravidarum: a prospective cohort study. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2022;35(25):10055-10063.
13. Yang G, Hisada A, Yamamoto M, Kawanami A, Mori C, Sakurai K, et al. Effect of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy on mother-to-infant bonding and the mediation effect of postpartum depression: the Japan Environment and Children's Study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2023;23(1):704.
14. Mazzotta P, Stewart DE, Koren G, Magee LA. Factors associated with elective termination of pregnancy among Canadian and American women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2001;22(1):7-12.
15. Yuniastutiningsih H, Nafi'ati DL. Obstetric and psychological care for pregnant woman with hyperemesis gravidarum with moderate anxiety. Journal of Psychiatry Psychology and Behavioral Research. 2021;2(2):11-13.
16. Christodoulou-Smith J, Gold JI, Romero R, Goodwin TM, MacGibbon KW, Mullin PM, et al. Posttraumatic stress symptoms following pregnancy complicated by hyperemesis gravidarum. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2011;24(11):1307-1311.
17. Elgathafi A, Elharary F, Al Shawbaki M, Boubataina H. Prevalence and risk factors of anxiety and depression among cases of hyperemesis gravidarum. The Scientific Journal of University of Benghazi. 2023;36(1).
18. Mazzotta P, Stewart D, Atanackovic G, Koren G, Magee LA. Psychosocial morbidity among women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: prevalence and association with anti-emetic therapy. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2000;21(3):129-136.
19. El-Skaan RGA, Abdelrahman RM, Hassan AMA. Retrospective analysis of hyperemesis gravidarum and its psychological impact during hospital admission.
J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2023;73(Suppl 1):19-24.
20. Beck CT. Survivors' experiences of hyperemesis gravidarum. J Infus Nurs. 2023 Nov-Dec;46(6):338-346.
21. Beirne ER, Andrews LB, Murtagh LP, Browne S, Curran SB, O'Brien EC. The far-reaching burden of hyperemesis gravidarum: an exploration of women's experiences and perceptions of healthcare support. Women Health. 2023;63(7):485-494.
22. Poursharif B, Korst LM, Fejzo MS, MacGibbon
KW, Romero R, Goodwin TM. The psychosocial burden of hyperemesis gravidarum. J Perinatol. 2008;28(3):176-181.
23. Şafak Öztürk C, Kaya Odabaş R, Sökmen Y, Taşpınar A. The relationship between nausea-vomiting during pregnancy and attachment styles, marital adjustment, and ways of coping. J Sex Marital Ther. 2023;49(1):65-76.
24. Sharma V. Treatment of depression in a patient with intractable hyperemesis gravidarum. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2021;23(6):20cr02905.
25. Laitinen L, Nurmi M, Kulovuori N, Koivisto M, Ojala E, Rautava P, et al. Usability of Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis questionnaire in women hospitalised for hyperemesis gravidarum: a prospective cohort study. BMJ Open. 2022 May 11;12(5):e058364.
26. Doherty J, McHale H, Killeen SL, Curran S, Bennett M, Sheehy L, et al. Women's experiences of hyperemesis gravidarum and of attending a dedicated multidisciplinary hydration clinic. Women Birth. 2023 Nov;36(6):e661-e668.
27. Havnen GC, Truong MBT, Do MLH, Heitmann K, Holst L, Nordeng H. Women's perspectives on the management and consequences of hyperemesis gravidarum: a descriptive interview study. Scand
J Prim Health Care. 2019;37(1):30-40.
28. Simtion CA, Simtion KA, Merhavy ZI, Samways Guimarães AF, Aijaz A, Merhavy CE, et al. The impact of Mediterranean diet on colorectal cancer recurrence following chemotherapy treatment: a systematic review. World Nutrition. 2024;15(1):51-59.
| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 20, No 2 (June 2026) | |
| Section | Review Articles | |
| Keywords | ||
| Hyperemesis Gravidarum Nausea and Vomiting Pregnancy Patient Centered Outcomes | ||
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How to Cite
1.
Veenstra A, Lahti J, Shabani M, Varkey T. Psychosocial Effects of Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Systematic Literature Review. J Family Reprod Health. 2026;20(2):84-93.
