Great Morning Sickness Treatments
Posted on Jul 11, 2012 | Blog Posts, Morning Sickness Remedies Category | | Print This Article
Around 70 to 80 per cent of pregnant women suffer nausea and vomiting, which can occur day or night, according to GP Dr Roger Gadsby MBE, associate clinical professor at Warwick Medical School. ‘Symptoms often start at around six weeks from your first missed period and usually get better by 12 weeks,’ he says. The cause is not known.
The majority of women suffer mildly, and the symptoms disappear by the third month. But up to 30 per cent get severe nausea and vomiting, which may last until week 20. It’s very unpleasant but does not put the baby at risk.
However, about one per cent of women get very severe symptoms. If you can’t keep food or drink down, contact your GP or midwife immediately. You risk becoming dehydrated and may need to go to hospital for intravenous fluids. Plenty of rest is vital.
Many doctors are reluctant to prescribe any treatment because, more than 50 years ago, the anti-nausea drug thalidomide caused severe abnormalities in a number of babies.
However, safe and effective drug treatments are now available, principally antihistamines ne. The main side effect from these is drowsiness. There are stronger prescription treatments if those do not work, but there is less research evidence for them.
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) has also been shown to be safe and effective. Discuss with your doctor.
- Acupressure to the P6 point on the wrist could be beneficial, and has no side effects: try Sea-Bands or other types of acupressure bands.
- Ginger biscuits or ginger beer may help, but there has been concern from Scandinavian researchers about a theoretical risk of high doses of ginger tea or supplements in pregnancy. Talk to your doctor.
Try sucking Preggie Pops, frozen ice pops made from natural juices. Specially formulated to alleviate morning sickness by a former sufferer, they help dilute the build-up of saliva which can cause nausea.
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