Nausea & Vomiting in Preganancy

Nausea and vomiting affects approximately 45% - 88% percent of all pregnant women and is usually self-limiting. Nausea may occur with or without vomiting and although frequently referred to as “morning sickness,” can be experienced morning, noon, or night. This common discomfort occurs most often between weeks 5 and 12, but in some instances may persist until 14, 16, or 20 weeks of pregnancy. For most women, nausea and vomiting eases as the first trimester of pregnancy ends and the uterus becomes a more abdominal organ.

• Be open minded when trying these remedies…one day something might click that never worked before and vice versa.
• Be creative and let us know if anything not listed worked for you.
• Keep in mind that the symptoms of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy will resolve for most women with conservative treatment and the passage of time.
• You will need to communicate with those around you as to how you are feeling…supportive, considerate, and loving assistance from your partner, family, co-workers, and friends has been shown to be very effective in combating nausea and vomiting.

WARNING

Many plants and “herbs” contain drugs and drug-like chemicals. The safety of these substances in pregnancy is often unknown. A manufacturer or supplier may describe these as “natural,” but this is not a guarantee of their safety or effectiveness in pregnancy. Remember, herbal remedies are not regulated like medicine by the FDA.

1. Keep a diary of foods and activities that trigger your symptoms. It is very helpful to share this diary with your provider at your visits.
2. Get as much rest/sleep as possible.
3. Avoid stress.
4. Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
5. Increase your intake of iron and vitamin B complex (especially vitamin B6) by the foods you choose or by vitamin supplements. Avoid more than 100 mg vitamin B6 per day.
6. Walk a mile a day….this will help prevent the build up of chemical by-products of increased hormonal activity of pregnancy.
7. Get fresh air…open the window or go outside.
8. Avoid spicy, greasy, or high-fat foods until you are feeling better. Avoid cooking spicy or greasy foods for others….this may bring on the same symptoms.
9. Eat small, frequent meals or snacks every 1-2 hours regardless of hunger to maintain a consistent blood sugar level in your body…there is a strong correlation between nausea and low blood sugar in pregnancy. Do not allow your stomach to get too empty or too full.
10. Get out of bed slowly in the morning….avoid any sudden movements.
11. Drink a mixture of one teaspoon apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces of warm water first thing in the morning.
12. Drink a cup of anise or fennel seed tea when you wake up in the morning (these and other herbal teas can be purchased in most health food stores or some supermarkets).
13. Try drinking 1-2 cups of raspberry leaf tea a day. It is especially helpful to sip on this when you first wake up. This also makes excellent ice cubes which can be sucked on as needed.
14. Sip peppermint tea first thing in the morning (peppermint may aggravate heartburn/GERD).
15. Many women find relief with ginger products…ginger ale, ginger snaps, ginger tea. Ginger root tea is especially helpful if taken by tablespoon doses anytime nausea occurs.
16. Suck on hard candy any time of the day.
17. Get a massage.
18. Try hypnosis.
19. Try accupressure. One way of achieving this is by the use of Seabands which are available at most pharmacies (controlled trials have demonstrated more effect than placebo).
20. Try systemic relaxation techniques.
21. Use meditation or visual imagery.
22. Apply cold compresses to the forehead and throat.
23. Maintain adequate hydration by drinking at least 8-10 glasses of liquid a day, i.e. water, diluted juice, broth, etc.
24. Try eating plain, non-sweetened yogurt upon arising in the morning.
25. Eat a hard boiled egg upon rising.
26. Take fluids slowly between meals to avoid distending the stomach and possibly triggering vomiting.
27. Eat foods rich in potassium and magnesium.
28. Do not brush your teeth immediately after eating.
29. Try slowly sipping carbonated beverages, i.e. juice, water, soda.
30. Snack on high protein foods.
31. Eat crackers, dry cereal, toast, etc…when up in the bathroom at night and before arising in the morning.
32. Eat a high protein snack before going to bed at night…protein takes longer to digest.
33. Try taking alfalfa tablets.
34. Eat ½ a fresh orange before going to bed.
35. Try eating dry meals without any liquids.
36. Stop taking your prenatal vitamin until nausea and/or vomiting subsides.

• Approximately 10% of all pregnant women do not respond to holistic or conservative measures and may need medication due to the severity of their nausea and vomiting. 
• Excessive vomiting occurs in 1-2% of all pregnancies. This condition is also known medically as hyperemesis gravidarum and may require intravenous fluids and occasionally hospitalization