Related Items: Hyperemesis gravidarum, Nausea (Pregnancy)
Morning Sickness Information
Morning sickness is the common but poorly understood nausea that frequently accompanies
early pregnancy.
It is generally not serious, although it can be quite unpleasant. Hyperemesis gravidarum is
uncontrollable nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that results in severe dehydration and pH
imbalances in the blood. It is distinct from morning sickness with nausea and vomiting. The
former condition requires treatment by a healthcare professional and, sometimes,
hospitalization. Hyperemesis gravidarum can sometimes result from hyperthyroidism,1
liver disease, kidney infection, pancreatitis, intestinal obstruction, or other
causes—conditions that will not respond to any of the natural substances discussed in
this article.
What are the symptoms of morning sickness?
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, lightheadedness, and dizziness during the early
stages of pregnancy. Women with morning sickness may be particularly sensitive to certain
odors and foods. However, eating small amounts of a particular food may relieve their
symptoms.
Medical treatments for morning sickness
No over the counter drugs are FDA-approved for the treatment of morning sickness. However,
drugs such as dimenhydrinate
(Dramamine®), diphenhydramine
(Benadryl®), and meclizine (Bonine®)
have been used.
Prescription medications used include
prochlorperazine (Compazine®), ondansetron (Zofran®), meclizine (Antivert®), promethazine (Phenergan®), and metoclopramide (Reglan®).
Healthcare practitioners typically recommend that women with morning sickness drink plenty
of fluids and try to eat whatever they can, regardless of its nutritional value.
Dietary changes that may be helpful for morning sickness
Some doctors recommend that women with morning sickness eat dry crackers upon waking.
Drinking liquids and eating solid foods at separate times may be helpful as well.
In a Harvard University study, women with a high intake of saturated fat (found mainly in meat and
dairy) during the year prior to pregnancy had a much higher risk of severe morning
sickness than did women eating less saturated fat. An increase in saturated fat intake of 15
grams per day (the equivalent of a four-ounce cheeseburger or three cups of whole milk) was associated with a greater than threefold
increase in the risk of developing morning sickness.2
Nutritional supplements that may be helpful for morning sickness
In two double-blind trials, supplementation with vitamin B6 (10 or 25 mg three times per day)
significantly reduced the severity of morning sickness.3 4
Vitamin K and vitamin C, taken together, may provide relief of
symptoms for some women. In one study, 91% of women who took 5 mg of vitamin K and 25 mg of
vitamin C per day reported the complete disappearance of morning sickness within three
days.5 However, most doctors use higher amounts of vitamin C (500 to 1,000 mg per
day).
In a preliminary study done in the 1930s, eight women suffering from nausea and vomiting
during the first trimester (13 weeks) of
pregnancy received large amounts of oral
adrenal cortex extract. In most cases, vomiting stopped after three to four
days.6 In a follow-up study, women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy received
adrenal cortex extract, usually by injection at first, followed by oral administration. More
than 85% of the women were completely relieved of the problem or showed definite
improvement.7 Since no safety data exist for use during pregnancy, adrenal extract
should not be used in these situations unless supervised by a doctor.
Are there any side effects or interactions with Morning Sickness?
Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions.
Herbs that may be helpful for morning sickness
Ginger is well-known for alleviating nausea
and improving digestion. One gram of encapsulated ginger powder was used in one study to
reduce the severe nausea and vomiting associated with hyperemesis gravidarum.8 This
condition is potentially life-threatening and should only be treated by a qualified healthcare
professional.
Because ginger contains some compounds that cause chromosomal mutation in the test tube,
some doctors are concerned about the safety of using ginger during pregnancy. However, the available clinical research,
combined with the fact that ginger is widely used in the diets of many cultures, suggests that
prudent use of ginger for morning sickness is probably safe in amounts up to 1 gram per
day.9
Are there any side effects or interactions with Morning Sickness?
Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions.
Holistic approaches that may be helpful for morning sickness
A controlled trial found that acupuncture
significantly reduced symptoms in women with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of nausea
and vomiting of pregnancy that usually requires hospitalization.10 Treatment
consisted of acupuncture at a single point on the forearm three times daily for two
consecutive days. Acupressure (in which pressure, rather than needles, is used to stimulate
acupuncture points) has also been found in several preliminary trials to be mildly effective
in the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.11 12
13
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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational
purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in
vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article.
The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of
the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter
medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or
pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before
making any changes in prescribed medications.
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