Nausea or vomiting during pregnancy, often referred to as “morning sickness”, is a very common experience for people who are going through pregnancy. This often begins during the early stages of pregnancy – in the middle or end of the first trimester.
Morning sickness does not always live up to its name; it can occur at any time of day or night.
While morning sickness may last for just a few weeks for some, it can last several weeks or even months for others. Beth Fjeldheim, CNM, is a Certified Nurse Midwife at the Women’s Center at Clinton and explains some of the science behind the nausea associated with morning sickness and recommends some remedies and treatments that can help to lessen its effects.
The exact cause of morning sickness remains unknown, but researchers have made progress in recent years determining how some pregnant people are affected more than others.
A study published in the journal Nature suggests the increased presence of a hormone called GDF15 is linked to more severe nausea and vomiting. GDF15 is released by different areas of the body in response to stress; the receptors for GDF15 live in the part of the brain that controls nausea and vomiting. Researchers are working to determine more about this link and possibly lessen the effects of morning sickness in the future.
According to the American College of Gynecology, some people are more at risk for morning sickness if they are:
In rare cases, some people experience nausea and vomiting so severe that it leads to weight loss and dehydration. When someone loses 5 percent of their pre-pregnancy body weight and becomes dehydrated, it is diagnosed as hyperemesis gravidarum.
“If you are losing an alarming amount of weight and cannot maintain healthy nutrition or hydration, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible,” Fjeldheim said.
Unfortunately, there is not a one-size-fits-all treatment that will cure morning sickness symptoms completely. However, you can work with a healthcare provider to find different methods of lessening nausea and vomiting symptoms – with or without medication.
Rest as much as you can. Pregnancy can be tiring and is even more so when you have morning sickness. Go to bed early and allow yourself plenty of time to wake up in the morning.
If you’re feeling nauseous, stick to the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. The blander the food, the less upset you will likely feel. If these specific foods make you feel sick, change the type of foods you eat until you find something that works for you.
Keep small snacks nearby so you can avoid feeling too hungry – a feeling that can trigger nausea. This means having something with you by your bed in case you wake up at night or with you at work.
Drink water before meals to avoid getting too full. For some people, drinking while eating fills their stomach too quickly and leaves them feeling nauseous.
Ginger offers a soothing effect for many people’s stomachs. This can come in many different forms, including ginger ale or tea, ginger lollipops, ginger candies, and other items.
Acupressure bracelets such as Sea-Bands use the body’s pulse points to help fight nausea. These bracelets have been clinically tested and approved.
Vitamins such as prenatal vitamins or vitamin B6 are shown to reduce nausea and vomiting for some patients with morning sickness.
If non-pharmaceutical treatments are not helping to relieve morning sickness, providers might prescribe medications to help lessen the symptoms. Some of these might include antiemetic drugs such as:
Corticosteroids like Medrol or antihistamines like Dramamine and Antivert have been studied and shown to be effective at reducing morning sickness, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
“Before you start taking supplements or over-the-counter medications to help with morning sickness, check with your primary care provider or OBGYN to make sure it is safe for both you and your baby,” Fjeldheim said.
