Knowledge | Managing morning sickness: An expert guide to nausea and vomiting during pregnancy
Before the joy of pregnancy has time to settle in, nausea, queasiness, and retching may arrive without warning.
For Deborah Wood, a mother of three from Evanston, Illinois, ‘morning sickness’ meant far more than mild discomfort in the morning. During her first pregnancy, she could barely tolerate any smell. Opening the refrigerator was like setting off a time bomb, and even mentioning her favorite food, tuna, could make her retch immediately. She carried plastic bags with her just in case.
This experience is common. Dr. Jennifer Niebyl, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Iowa College of Medicine, said about 90% of pregnant women experience nausea or vomiting of varying severity. Symptoms are most common in early pregnancy and usually improve around the fourth month, but for some women they persist throughout pregnancy.
Not just morning sickness, but an all-day challenge
‘We still do not know the exact cause of morning sickness,’ Dr. Niebyl said. ‘The most widely accepted explanation is that it is related to the rapid rise in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) during early pregnancy.’
Despite the name, morning sickness is not limited to the morning and can occur at any time of day. Some expectant mothers even feel that nausea reassures them that they are truly pregnant. ‘I was worried that having so few symptoms meant the pregnancy might not be secure, but now I feel reassured,’ joked Carla Laszlo, 29.
Dietary strategies: Avoid an empty stomach and try different options
‘There is no single solution that works for everyone,’ said Miriam Erick, a dietitian at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and author of the bestselling book No More Morning Sickness. ‘Responses vary between women and even between pregnancies.’
She recommends a record, try, and avoid approach:
Record which smells and foods trigger symptoms and avoid them when possible;
Try different combinations to find what eases your symptoms. Some women get through early pregnancy with crackers and ginger ale, while others prefer chips and lemonade;
Do not let your stomach become empty. Nausea is often worse on an empty stomach. Keep crackers by the bed and eat some before getting up in the morning;
Eat small, frequent meals and avoid becoming overly full;
Combine carbohydrates and protein for a longer-lasting effect, such as crackers with peanut butter or toast with cheese;
Avoid strongly flavored foods and gas-producing vegetables such as cabbage and onions;
Vitamin B6 supplementation at 25 milligrams three times daily has been shown to relieve morning sickness.
Ginger, vitamins, and even wristbands: A range of nonpharmacologic options
Ginger: Either 250-milligram ginger capsules or homemade ginger tea made by steeping 1/4 teaspoon of shredded ginger in hot water helps many pregnant women;
Vitamin B6: Dr. Niebyl’s research found that this water-soluble vitamin significantly helps moderate to severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy;
Acupressure wristbands: Similar to motion-sickness bands, these press specific points on the wrist, and some women report that they help.
During her third pregnancy, Deborah Wood used wristbands and avoided morning sickness. ‘It was the only pregnancy when I did not have morning sickness. I’m not sure whether the bands worked or it was a placebo effect, but I would rather believe they helped.’
Do not endure severe symptoms without help: 1% require medical care
Most nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is benign, but 1% of pregnant women develop hyperemesis gravidarum. Severe cases can cause inability to eat, dehydration, and weight loss and may require hospitalization, intravenous fluids, or even parenteral nutrition.
‘If you cannot eat for 24 consecutive hours or are losing weight, you must see a physician,’ Dr. Niebyl emphasized. Erick also warned that many women delay care because they try to be strong or avoid causing trouble. ‘They read that it is normal, but by then they are severely dehydrated and cannot even get dressed.’
Kim Clifford of Western Springs, Illinois, was hospitalized at 10 weeks of pregnancy after losing 15 pounds and required a feeding tube for the next three months. ‘I truly wanted to cry. I could not eat or drink anything.’ She ultimately delivered a healthy 8-pound, 8-ounce boy named Patrick. ‘Looking back now, it was all worth it.’
Conclusion: Morning sickness is difficult, but you are not alone
Every pregnancy is unique. Morning sickness is common, but it is not necessarily mild. Understanding and accepting it while actively finding suitable ways to manage it is the first step through this part of pregnancy.
Knowledge | Managing morning sickness: An expert guide to nausea and vomiting during pregnancy
Knowledge | Managing morning sickness: An expert guide to nausea and vomiting during pregnancy
Before the joy of pregnancy has time to settle in, nausea, queasiness, and retching may arrive without warning.
For Deborah Wood, a mother of three from Evanston, Illinois, ‘morning sickness’ meant far more than mild discomfort in the morning. During her first pregnancy, she could barely tolerate any smell. Opening the refrigerator was like setting off a time bomb, and even mentioning her favorite food, tuna, could make her retch immediately. She carried plastic bags with her just in case.
This experience is common. Dr. Jennifer Niebyl, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Iowa College of Medicine, said about 90% of pregnant women experience nausea or vomiting of varying severity. Symptoms are most common in early pregnancy and usually improve around the fourth month, but for some women they persist throughout pregnancy.
Not just morning sickness, but an all-day challenge
‘We still do not know the exact cause of morning sickness,’ Dr. Niebyl said. ‘The most widely accepted explanation is that it is related to the rapid rise in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) during early pregnancy.’
Despite the name, morning sickness is not limited to the morning and can occur at any time of day. Some expectant mothers even feel that nausea reassures them that they are truly pregnant. ‘I was worried that having so few symptoms meant the pregnancy might not be secure, but now I feel reassured,’ joked Carla Laszlo, 29.
Dietary strategies: Avoid an empty stomach and try different options
‘There is no single solution that works for everyone,’ said Miriam Erick, a dietitian at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and author of the bestselling book No More Morning Sickness. ‘Responses vary between women and even between pregnancies.’
She recommends a record, try, and avoid approach:
Record which smells and foods trigger symptoms and avoid them when possible;
Try different combinations to find what eases your symptoms. Some women get through early pregnancy with crackers and ginger ale, while others prefer chips and lemonade;
Do not let your stomach become empty. Nausea is often worse on an empty stomach. Keep crackers by the bed and eat some before getting up in the morning;
Eat small, frequent meals and avoid becoming overly full;
Combine carbohydrates and protein for a longer-lasting effect, such as crackers with peanut butter or toast with cheese;
Avoid strongly flavored foods and gas-producing vegetables such as cabbage and onions;
Vitamin B6 supplementation at 25 milligrams three times daily has been shown to relieve morning sickness.
Ginger, vitamins, and even wristbands: A range of nonpharmacologic options
Ginger: Either 250-milligram ginger capsules or homemade ginger tea made by steeping 1/4 teaspoon of shredded ginger in hot water helps many pregnant women;
Vitamin B6: Dr. Niebyl’s research found that this water-soluble vitamin significantly helps moderate to severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy;
Acupressure wristbands: Similar to motion-sickness bands, these press specific points on the wrist, and some women report that they help.
During her third pregnancy, Deborah Wood used wristbands and avoided morning sickness. ‘It was the only pregnancy when I did not have morning sickness. I’m not sure whether the bands worked or it was a placebo effect, but I would rather believe they helped.’
Do not endure severe symptoms without help: 1% require medical care
Most nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is benign, but 1% of pregnant women develop hyperemesis gravidarum. Severe cases can cause inability to eat, dehydration, and weight loss and may require hospitalization, intravenous fluids, or even parenteral nutrition.
‘If you cannot eat for 24 consecutive hours or are losing weight, you must see a physician,’ Dr. Niebyl emphasized. Erick also warned that many women delay care because they try to be strong or avoid causing trouble. ‘They read that it is normal, but by then they are severely dehydrated and cannot even get dressed.’
Kim Clifford of Western Springs, Illinois, was hospitalized at 10 weeks of pregnancy after losing 15 pounds and required a feeding tube for the next three months. ‘I truly wanted to cry. I could not eat or drink anything.’ She ultimately delivered a healthy 8-pound, 8-ounce boy named Patrick. ‘Looking back now, it was all worth it.’
Conclusion: Morning sickness is difficult, but you are not alone
Every pregnancy is unique. Morning sickness is common, but it is not necessarily mild. Understanding and accepting it while actively finding suitable ways to manage it is the first step through this part of pregnancy.
Source:
Collected online