Assessing the psychological impact of hyperemesis gravidarum
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The psychological impact of hyperemesis gravidarum; a two point longitudinal, case-control evaluation of psychological symptoms, infant bonding and patient satisfaction
IRAS ID
151003
Contact name
Nicola Mitchell-Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Most pregnant women suffer with some symptoms of nausea and vomiting, often referred to as 'morning sickness'. A small percentage of women will develop much more severe and persistent symptoms, a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. This results in dehyrdation, weight loss and vitamin deficiencies. Woman may be required to spend long periods in hospital for treatment. Hyperemesis has been found to have a negative impact on mental health. Women with the condition are thought to be more prone to anxiety and depression and these symptoms can persist even after the symptoms have resolved in later pregnancy.
This study aims to assess mental health symptoms in women with hyperemesis and also look at whether it has any impact on how they bond with their babies and their experience/satisfaction relating to how they are treated in hospital. The study will directly compare 3 groups of women; a group with hyperemesis gravidarum, a group admitted to hospital in early pregnancy for other complications such as pain or bleeding and a group of women not admitted to hospital (control group). They will be asked to provide information on 2 occasions; at around 12 weeks of pregnancy and at 6 weeks following the delivery of their baby.
The women in the study will provide information using 4 different questionnaires. One will assess mental health symptoms (anxiety and depression), one will assess how they have bonded with their babies (done at 6 weeks postnatal) and the other 2 will be about their experience of hospital care during admission (for the hyperemesis group and other early pregnancy complications group).REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/2270
Date of REC Opinion
4 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion