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For some women, nausea and vomiting become so severe that a hospital stay is required. Symptoms may last throughout the entire pregnancy. These women often lose weight, become dehydrated and continue to vomit, producing bile or blood. This condition is dangerous for both mother and baby. In hospital, the nausea and vomiting are treated with IV (intravenous) therapy, drug treatment and a gradual return to eating.
If nausea occurred in a previous pregnancy, it is more likely to happen again. To prevent problems early on, be at your best before becoming pregnant. Eat a healthy diet, stay physically active, get enough sleep and reduce stress. If severe nausea does occur, get medical help quickly before it becomes a problem.
Heavy demands at work and home may make it difficult to deal with nausea. If you can, consider timing pregnancy for when you can have help around the house and less work stress. If possible, avoid night shifts and long hours. It is not unusual to need a week or two of sick leave to deal with morning sickness.
As smells often trigger nausea, stay away from strong odours. Even normal aromas from cooking may be bothersome. Preparing and freezing meals in advance may help. Alternatively, another member of the household could take over cooking duties for a while.
Typically, a pregnant woman needs more sleep in the first three months of pregnancy. Ten to 12 hours out of 24 is considered quite normal. If you get less sleep than that demanded by your body, you are more likely to feel nauseous.
In a first pregnancy, it is often possible to go to bed very early since there are no other children needing care. With later pregnancies, a mother will often force herself to keep going. She will provide nutritious meals for her family, read a bedtime story, and get the children bathed and settled into bed before allowing herself to retire for the night. If she is sick the next day, she has not done herself, her family or her new baby any favours. Go to bed when you are tired, even if it means leaving normal household chores undone.
No specific diet exists to help with morning sickness. The right answer is foods that appeal the most. These are often items from the bread group of Canada’s Food Guide and fresh fruit and vegetables. Breads, crackers, cereals, granola mixes, noodle soups and pastas may calm your stomach. Heavy protein meals like steak and roast beef often cause problems. Do not worry if the full Canada’s Food Guide recommendations for pregnancy cannot be handled in early pregnancy. Instead, eat those foods that sit well (see sidebar).
Nausea may be worse if your stomach is empty. Eating small amounts regularly may allow your stomach to settle a bit. Keep dry cereal or a plate of crackers by your bedside. Eat them at bedtime, during night trips to the bathroom, and before getting up in the morning. It may help keep nausea away.
The same is true for liquids. As you must keep up your fluid levels, take small sips of fluid throughout the day. Avoid caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea and cola.
Even before pregnancy starts, begin taking a prenatal vitamin containing folic acid. This helps you to get the essential vitamins and nutrients. Unfortunately, vitamin pills can add to nausea and vomiting. If this is true for you, stop taking them until the nausea settles. It is more important to eat well.
The only medication approved by Health Canada for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is Diclectin™. Since it starts to work six to eight hours after it is taken, it cannot immediately treat nausea. Rather, it stops it from happening. This medication must be taken at least twice a day, and then adjusted to help cover times when nausea occurs.
If the nausea disappears while using Diclectin™, discontinue it slowly and only on the advice of your doctor.
Many women are afraid to take any drug while pregnant. Many studies have been done on this medication and there is no evidence that harmful effects are experienced by the babies. Studies also confirm that it is a safe and effective way to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
One of the compounds used in Diclectin™ is Vitamin B6. Some women try this vitamin before taking the prescription medication and find it helpful, especially when nausea is related to broken sleep. Discuss this use with your doctor.
Should a woman require hospitalization and, more intensive treatment such as IV to control the severe nausea and vomiting, a switch to pills should occur once some control has been achieved.
Sea-Bands, often used to prevent sea or motion sickness, are a pair of elastic bands with a small button embedded in each one. They are worn on the wrist in such a way that pressure from the button is placed on a very specific point on the inside of the wrist. This applies the theory of acupressure and seems effective for some women.
Powdered ginger root has also been studied and found to be of some benefit. Although ginger is a naturally occurring substance, we still do not know what effect large amounts of ginger would have on the baby.
There are many folkloric and other remedies for controlling nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. It is best to talk with your pregnancy care provider before trying something you would not normally use.
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy are common and sometimes severe. They can have a great impact on a woman’s day-to-day abilities. Many ways exist to lessen or eliminate nausea. There is no reason to feel guilty about treating these symptoms. In fact, keeping nausea under control will safeguard the health of both baby and mother.
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