The cause is likely due to several factors that may differ for each woman. Some women may be more likely to vomit due to genetics. It is not your fault, and you cannot control whether or not you vomit or are nauseated when pregnant. Vomiting is almost always stimulated by a place in the brain known as the vomiting center. It may also be stimulated by changes in the stomach and intestines caused by pregnancy hormones. Emotional distress may worsen vomiting but is not the cause. Many causes of hyperemesis are related to the various hormonal changes of pregnancy to which you may be more sensitive. Some known causes include the following:
- Altered sense of taste
Sensitivity of the brain to motion
Food leaving the stomach more slowly
Increased sense of smell
Insufficient fluids or nutrition
Rapidly changing hormone levels during pregnancy
Stomach contents moving back up from the stomach
Physical and emotional stress of pregnancy on the body
Vitamin deficiencies