ABSTRACT
Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy affect approximately 50% to 70% of all pregnant women. Although most cases of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy resolve spontaneously and are not associated with compromised nutritional status, a small percentage of cases progress to hyperemesis gravidarum (severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy). Hyperemesis gravidarum is a serious disorder that can lead to weight loss, dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, and occasionally death if improperly treated or left untreated. The article summarizes recent research on hyperemesis gravidarum, focusing on the definition, etiology, epidemiology, and current treatment of symptoms.
Subject(s)
Hyperemesis Gravidarum/diagnosis , Hyperemesis Gravidarum/therapy , Maternal-Child Nursing/methods , Adult , Female , Humans , Hyperemesis Gravidarum/epidemiology , Hyperemesis Gravidarum/etiology , Hyperemesis Gravidarum/metabolism , PregnancyABSTRACT
True stress incontinence due to a weakened pelvic floor is one of the most frequently cited urologic complaints of multiparous women past age 40. One treatment modality currently used to treat stress incontinence is exercising the pubococcygeus muscle. Combining biofeedback therapy with a vaginal probe (perineometer) helps patients identify the muscle, provides immediate feedback and assists the nurse and patient in assessing problem resolution. This article describes an intervention program using biofeedback, and measured Kegel's exercises on a small number of women with symptoms of stress incontinence. The lessening of symptoms became a major factor in continued compliance with the exercise program.
