Appendicitis can mimic vomiting in early pregnancy because the presenting symptoms overlap significantly, including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. During early pregnancy, the uterus is still small, and the typical signs of appendicitis, such as localized right lower quadrant pain, may be less obvious, leading to diagnostic confusion. Prompt recognition is crucial as delayed diagnosis increases the risk of appendix rupture and surgical complications. Therefore, careful evaluation of symptoms and timely imaging are essential to differentiate between normal pregnancy-related vomiting and appendicitis.

Reference: Williams Obstetrics, Cunningham et al., 25th Edition.