GP's view: Morning sickness

GP's view: Morning sickness

 

Pregnancy nausea, or morning sickness as it is known, occurs in most women, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. It can occur at any time of the day but tends to be worse when you are tired or hungry. There are numerous measures that have been suggested to help alleviate morning sickness. These include vitamin B6, ginger and ginger tea, acupuncture, eating dry bread or crackers before getting up, avoiding spicy or greasy food, sucking on a lemon or something sour, getting fresh air, avoiding strong odours and drinking plenty of fluids. Responses can be variable (indeed, recent studies have suggested that ginger and acupuncture are actually no more effective than a placebo and excessive use of ginger can cause further gastrointestinal upset). See what works best for you and if you do not experience relief, talk to your doctor. For more severe symptoms, your doctor can prescribe medication to relieve the nausea. Most women prefer not to take medication, however if the vomiting is severe and there is a risk of dehydration, electrolyte disturbance, significant weight loss or malnutrition, it may be necessary.
The most severe form of morning sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, occurs in 0.5 to two per cent of pregnancies. Women with this condition suffer dehydration, electrolyte disturbance and weight loss that is greater than five per cent of their total body weight and may need to be admitted to hospital for intravenous fluids, anti-nausea medication and monitoring. It is vital for the wellbeing of both mother and foetus that this type of severe nausea is managed promptly by experienced medical practitioners to avoid complications and serious risks to foetal development.
The good news is that, in most cases, morning sickness settles down by about the 12th to 16th week of pregnancy. In the majority of cases, morning sickness is simply a normal part of pregnancy caused by the hormonal changes and it will have no untoward effects on the baby. In fact, women may be comforted to learn that evidence suggests that those who experience morning sickness are actually less likely to have a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Read our fact sheet on pregnancy.
For a naturopath's thoughts on this topic, check out A naturopath's views on morning sickness by naturopathy expert Leah Hechtman

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