Dealing with nausea and vomiting in pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of big changes in a woman’s body. As hormones shift and the body works to nourish the baby, a number of uncomfortable symptoms can arise. One of the most common is nausea and vomiting, commonly called morning sickness.

Fortunately, many women find some relief with some diet and lifestyle changes.

• Start taking a prenatal vitamin while trying to get pregnant. Your body may get used to taking it before you have to deal with morning sickness. Plus, some nutrients are important to have in the early stages of pregnancy.
• Take your prenatal multivitamin with food. Some nutrients, such as iron, can cause nausea if taken on an empty stomach.
• Eat dry toast or crackers in the morning before you get out of bed. This helps settle your stomach.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Dehydration isn’t good for you, and can lead to more nausea and fatigue. It may be helpful to drink fluids separately from eating foods.
• Avoid smells that bother you.
• Eat small, frequent meals instead of three large meals throughout the day.
• Use ginger. This spice has been used for hundreds of years to help with nausea. Ginger capsules or tea made with real ginger are good choices.
• Vitamin B6 and doxylamine. Vitamin B6 alone may help with nausea. It may be combined with doxylamine, which is found in some sleep aids. Be sure to check the label and ask your doctor before taking any medicines during pregnancy.
• Prescription drugs. Some drugs, known as antiemetics, prevent vomiting. Some are considered safe during pregnancy. You and your doctor can decide what is best.

Severe nausea & vomiting

In some women, nausea and vomiting can become severe, leading to lack of nutrition and dehydration. This is known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).

A woman with HG who cannot keep food or liquids down may need hospital care. Often, getting rehydrated with IV fluids and vitamins will help.

Most women get through morning sickness without serious complications. In most cases, nausea and vomiting that isn’t severe will not harm you or your baby. Controlling symptoms with safe and effective home remedies can make pregnancy much more enjoyable.