Nausea & Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is very common. Between 50-90% of pregnant women will experience some amount of nausea and/or vomiting in pregnancy. This usually resolves spontaneously and is limited to the first trimester. About 1% of women will experience severe symptoms that result in weight loss and electrolyte abnormalities – this condition is called hyperemesis gravidarum.

Modifying your dietary habits may help you manage your symptoms. Eating smaller, more frequent meals may help. In general eating whenever and whatever appeals to you during this time is okay.

Ginger, accupuncture, and accupressure may be helpful, but studies evaluating their efficacy and safety are limited.

Diclectin is a treatment that includes doxylamine and vitamin B6. This has been well studied and is safe and effective in pregnancy. It is the most common treatment used to control nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Gravol is also safe and effective in pregnancy.

If the above are not sufficiently controlling your symptoms, there are a number of stronger anti-nausea medications that can be used under the supervision of a physician. In very severe cases, admission to hospital may be necessary.