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• Apr 29, 2011 - 12:55 PM
• Posted by Courtney McSpadden
• Category Pregnancy

Battling Morning Sickness

“Morning sickness” is the uncomfortable nausea and vomiting experienced by many pregnant women, especially in the first trimester. And unfortunately, as many women know, morning sickness can occur at any and all hours of the day. The good news is that typically women start to feel better in their 2nd trimester (starting around 12-14 weeks). (Note: If you continue to experience nausea and vomiting well into your 2^nd and 3^rd trimesters, contact your OB provider.)

Below, I’ve compiled a list of some of my tips for surviving the first of what I call, “The Joyful Discomforts” of pregnancy:

    •    Try to keep a small amount of food in your stomach at all times. Nausea is worse on an empty stomach. This may even mean keeping crackers at your bedside table to nibble on before you get out of bed in the morning. For many women, this will also mean eating small, frequent snacks rather than larger meals.
    •    Eat bland foods and stick with foods/drinks that sound good to you.
    •    Consume foods and liquids separately.
    •    Sip liquids slowly after an episode of vomiting. Drinking too fast can cause you to vomit again.
    •    Rehydrate with fluids like lemonade or ginger ale. Some women also find relief from smelling a lemon.
    •    Let your OB provider know if you are unable to stomach your prenatal vitamin. They may have an alternate brand to offer or recommend folic acid alone, as it is important to get the right amount of folic acid in your first trimester.
    •    Try wearing “Sea Bands” (the acupressure wrist bands sold at drugstores for motion sickness)
    •    Remember that it is not uncommon to not gain weight or even lose weight in the 1st trimester and early 2nd trimester. It generally does not mean that your baby is not getting sufficient nutrients, except in extreme circumstances. Discuss your weight with your OB provider if you have concerns.

Discuss your symptoms with your OB provider- they may want to prescribe you an anti-emetic (anti-vomiting drug) such as Zofran or Reglan to control your symptoms at home so you don’t become dehydrated if you are experiencing severe nausea and vomiting. If you’re severely dehydrated, call your OB provider, as they may want you to go to the hospital for IV rehydration. Stay well.

-Courtney McSpadden, RN, MSN, FNP

Tags: pregnancy, fetal development, health, nutrition

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