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Up to 80 percent of all pregnancies will be affected by some degree of nausea and vomiting. Although this can happen at any time during the day, the mornings tend to be especially troublesome for most pregnant women. Although the exact cause is not known for sure, most likely it is related to the rising levels of hormones associated with the pregnancy.
The condition is usually temporary ending close to the 16th week (4th month) of pregnancy, although some unfortunate souls must endure for much longer. Fortunately, the majority of women who experience this condition are affected only mildly. Even so, up to one-half of employed women feel that their work is adversely affected, and 25% will actually require time off from work. One out of twenty women are affected so severely that they experience weight loss, dehydration, and electrolyte disturbances to such a degree that hospitalization may be required. This severe condition is referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum. If it persists, your doctor may want to run tests on your gallbladder, thyroid, pancreas, stomach or liver. But please do not let this disturb you, because treatment is available.

For women experiencing only mild symptoms it is recommended that you eat several small meals per day, instead of the usual three big meals. Also avoid fatty, or fried foods, and avoid smells that can sometimes trigger the nausea. It is a good idea to carry saltines or graham crackers in your purse. Munch on these during the day to prevent your stomach from becoming totally empty, which could also increase the nausea. If these measures do not work then your doctor can prescribe some anti-nausea medications, but these usually cause drowsiness and should only be used under close physician supervision.

Treatment of most cases of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy revolve around education and support. In some cases, all that is needed is reassurance that the baby is ok. In other situations women should modify their diets, to avoid foods that make nausea worse. One example of this is milk. Pregnant patients often hear from family and friends "drink all the milk that you can." Actually, while milk is fine, it can sometimes trigger nausea. Pregnant patients really need calcium, which they can get from a pill or other foods. If you tolerate milk, then continue drinking it. If not, then ask your doctor or midwife about other sources of calcium.

Sometimes pregnant women get relief from eating many small meals throughout the day, rather than the standard breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Forcing yourself to eat in order to provide nutrition to the baby will usually make things worse. The baby will "steal" nutrition from you in order to grow. It's usually more important to get calories than nutrition when there is a lot of nausea and vomiting, so it's generally better to eat anything that you like and can tolerate, and not concentrate so much on eating the "right" foods. Later, when you have adjusted to being pregnant and the morning sickness is gone, you can concentrate on eating a more balanced diet. Similarly, if you just can't tolerate prenatal vitamins, it may be better to skip them until you have less nausea. (However, always try to continue taking enough folic acid. If necessary, this important vitamin, which prevents certain birth defects, can be given as a small prescription pill). As always, check with your doctor or midwife.

There are also "alternative" therapies which are currently being discussed in the media. These include acupressure, vitamin B6, and hypnosis. The acupressure therapy involves putting pressure on the "Neiguan" point which is located about three inches below the wrist. This can be done manually four times a day, for 5-10 minutes at a time, or through the use of special wrist bands which are also popular for sea-sickness. One good aspect of this technique is that there is no risk involved for the fetus.

Do not begin any herbal remedy before consulting your obstetrician. Herbal supplements are under close scrutiny, and new research studies are published concerning their effectiveness and potential negative effects. The use of vitamin B6 is controversial, but it does appear that a short course does improve symptoms in some women. Another interesting herbal remedy is ginger. Ginger does appear to relieve nausea in some people, however there is a theoretic possibility that it could affect certain steroids in the fetal brain, it is not recommend for use during pregnancy.

Although many women will experience some degree of nausea and vomiting with their pregnancies, the vast majority of these cases are mild and temporary. For those women experiencing severe symptoms, your physician can provide therapy.