Relief for Morning Sickness: New Study Shows Nothing is Reliable

Posted on Apr 3, 2012 | Blog Posts, Morning Sickness Remedies Category | | Print This Article
 

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Morning sickness is a fact of life for nearly 80% of women in the first trimester of pregnancy. Most of the time, morning sickness doesn’t cause any real harm. In fact, it’s been shown to have a number of benefits. Still, it can leave you feeling miserable and willing to reach for any relief offered.

Over the years, doctors have recommended many different ways of dealing with morning sickness. Some of them turned out to be dangerous. Thalidomide, which was often prescribed for morning sickness in the 1950s, has been linked to significant birth defects.

Some of the treatments women have tried which have not been shown to have negative effects include:

  • Ginger
  • Acupuncture
  • Acupressure
  • Vitamin B6
  • Sugar solutions

Some women swear by one morning sickness treatment or another. Most doctors agree that you can use any of these treatments if they are offering you relief. Doctors agree that you should focus on keeping yourself hydrated by slowly drinking water throughout the day and that you should avoid foods or smells that trigger morning sickness when you can.

A recent study conducted by the nursing department of Dublin City University in Ireland failed to show that any of these methods consistently relieves morning sickness. At best, relief methods which were tested had inconsistent results. Some relief measures, such as acupuncture and acupressure, didn’t seem to offer any relief at all in the tests.

This isn’t to say that women shouldn’t try any of these methods. Many women claim that they receive relief and none of the treatments listed above are known to be harmful. Consult your doctor, of course. Beyond that, if it helps you feel better, go ahead and take Vitamin B6, ginger, or whichever morning sickness treatment seems to be helping.

Maybe someday we’ll have a safe and effective treatment for morning sickness. Until then, keep your saltines handy and remind yourself that morning sickness will go away on its own in a couple of months. If your morning sickness becomes severe, consult your doctor. Severe morning sickness could be a sign of a more serious problem.

What have you tried for morning sickness relief? How has it worked for you?




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