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Published on: 4/7/2025

What Does Vomiting Yellow Bitter Liquid Indicate During Pregnancy?

Vomiting yellow bitter liquid during pregnancy usually means your body is releasing bile, which is common when your stomach is empty. However, if it happens often or you feel very ill, it's important to talk with your healthcare provider.

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Explanation

During pregnancy, many women experience nausea and vomiting. When you vomit yellow, bitter liquid, it means you are likely throwing up bile. Bile is a yellowish digestive juice made in your liver and stored in your gallbladder. This can happen when your stomach is empty, which is common after you have been feeling nauseous or if you haven't eaten in a while. Mild vomiting of bile is often seen with morning sickness or even more severe nausea, known as hyperemesis gravidarum. While belly upset is normal during early pregnancy, if you are vomiting bile frequently, feeling very weak, or showing signs of dehydration (like not urinating much), it might mean you need extra care. In those cases, it's a good idea to reach out to your healthcare provider so they can check you and help you manage your symptoms. Remember, taking care of yourself is important for both you and your baby.

(References)

  • Sipiora ML, Murtaugh MA, Gregoire MB, Duffy VB. Bitter taste perception and severe vomiting in pregnancy. Physiol Behav. 2000 May;69(3):259-67. doi: 10.1016/s0031-9384(00)00223-7. PMID: 10869591.

  • Lee NM, Saha S. Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2011 Jun;40(2):309-34, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2011.03.009. PMID: 21601782; PMCID: PMC3676933.

  • Parker SE, Starr JR, Collett BR, Speltz ML, Werler MM. Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2014 Nov;28(6):527-35. doi: 10.1111/ppe.12151. Epub 2014 Oct 18. PMID: 25327160; PMCID: PMC4232991.

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