Fletcher Allen, a Vermont university hospital and medical center, serves all of
Vermont and the northern New York region. Located in Burlington, Fletcher Allen is a regional, academic healthcare center and teaching hospital in alliance with the University of Vermont.
Morning Sickness
Pregnancy Nausea and Vomiting
Many women suffer from nausea and vomiting during the early part of their pregnancy. The term “morning sickness” came from the early morning vomiting that sometimes occurs, but it can happen at any time of the day or night. Usually it resolves by the 12th week of the pregnancy.
What Causes Morning Sickness?
This common complaint is caused by the increase in the hormonal levels of estrogen and progesterone. This rise in hormones combined with high levels of the pregnancy hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) increase the production of gastric juices while at the same time slowing down of the bowel. The result is nausea and often vomiting. Low blood sugar or feeling hungry can also be a trigger for the nausea and vomiting.
How can I Prevent or Alleviate Morning Sickness?
Here are some tried and true strategies that can help prevent or alleviate morning sickness. Try different ones or combinations until you find what works for you.
• Eat small frequent meals throughout the day to maintain your blood sugar and prevent an empty stomach.
• Eat meals and snacks that are high in protein. Click here for a list of ideas.
• Have a cracker or cereal at your bedside to nibble on before getting up.
• Eat something with protein in it prior to going to bed to help maintain your blood sugar at night.
• Drink soups or other liquids between meals rather than with a meal.
• Avoid spicy, heavily seasoned, or greasy, fried foods.
• Take your prenatal vitamin before going to bed or with food.
• Try sea sickness acupuncture bands (found in a pharmacy)
Ideas to Remedy Morning Sickness Are Listed Below:
• Eat high protein snacks and food when you feel a twinge of nausea – nuts, hummus, cheeses, yogurts, eggs, fish, meat, and beans. Combining protein with a whole grain carbohydrate will help keep your blood sugar levels steady and thus preventing dips that will bring on the nausea and vomiting.
• Suck on spearmint or peppermint drops, or drink mint tea.
• Candied ginger or ginger ale may help.
• Extra vitamin B6 - taking a 50mg supplement of B6 morning and night.
• Exercise moderately in fresh air each day.
• Get extra rest if you’re feeling more tired.
• Drink plenty of liquids any way you can - sip on water throughout the day, mix fruit juice with flavored seltzer water, make decaffeinated or herbal tea, eat low salt soups, eat high water content fruit (watermelon, citrus fruits).
The good news is, this usually passes within several weeks and you feel great by the second trimester!