Morning sickness is the most common symptom experienced by women during early pregnancy. The discomfort would be easily remedied in a person who wasn't pregnant, but in most cases the medications that would be used have restricted use in pregnancy or women are nervous about their use altogether. Natural remedies, in some cases, can provide a safer or more comfortable alternative, but first discuss their use in your pregnancy with your physician or midwife.
Cause
The causes of morning sickness during pregnancy have not been isolated, but hormonal fluctuations are definitely to blame. Morning sickness during pregnancy is also known as nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. It commonly begins during the sixth week of pregnancy and in some women triggers the trip to the doctor, where pregnancy is confirmed. It ends for about 80 percent of the population around the 12th week, notes the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. Morning sickness is also noted by the SOGC to be a misnomer, as the symptoms of nausea, vomiting and food aversion can occur at any time of the day.
Nutrition
There are many tips to help a woman keep food down and nausea at bay during pregnancy. The SOGC suggestions include eating a few crackers then waiting about 15 minutes before getting out of bed in the morning. Small meals throughout the day, spaced about two hours apart, can be helpful. Avoiding spicy, oily and fried foods may prevent stomach upset. Sniffing lemons and eating salty potato chips before a meal can also keep food down. The vitamin B6 is also a well-studied nutrient for reducing morning sickness. The Bastyr Center for Natural Health notes that women with moderate to severe morning sickness may benefit from an oral B6 supplement dose between 30 and 75 mg per day. The SOGC also notes that the only approved medication in Canada for morning sickness is a combination of B6 with an antihistamine.
Ginger
Ginger is traditionally used as a common flavoring agent in many Asian dishes and medicinally, as a tea in many other areas of the world. A 2001 Canadian Family Physician journal article noted that more than 50 percent of physicians recommended ginger to their patients for moderate nausea. The effect of ginger on nausea is thought to arise from its aromatic, carminative and absorbent qualities. Ginger has been studied in four-day trials at a dose of 250 mg four times per day and found to be more effective than placebo. The article states that there is no evidence to suggest that ginger can harm the baby, but no safety studies have ever been carried out to confirm this, so discuss its use with your physician.
Acupressure
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, meridians or channels exist beneath the surface of the skin that connect all of the body organs and disperse the energetic force, known as Qi. Acupuncture and acupressure can be applied at points along these channels to communicate with blockages in the channels and produce healing effects. A particular point, known as the Neiguan point--P6--is located on the wrist and appears to have an effect on nausea and vomiting. A 2001 Journal of Reproductive Medicine study found that pressure at this point stimulated its anti-nausea effects and worked better than placebo by significantly reducing morning sickness after 14 days.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a therapy that takes into account the mental, physical and emotional aspects of a person. It combines all of a person's likes, dislikes, triggers and nuances of their condition and personality to match their symptoms with a remedy from nature. Homeopathy uses extremely low doses of natural ingredients and is often a desired therapy during pregnancy, because of its low potential for side effects. Consult your physician before employing homeopathic techniques.
Dr. Rehana Khan, homeopathic physician and author of the article "Morning Sickness in Pregnancy" suggests a number of homeopathic remedies useful for the different ways women experience morning sickness. The remedy ipecacuanha is used when there is hypersalivation and nausea that is not improved by vomiting. Nux vomica, on the other hand, can be useful when a woman wakes every morning with nausea but feels much better after vomiting. Sepia, another common remedy, can be used in women where nausea is invoked at the sight of food. Arsenicum album can be used if drinking ice-cold water distresses the stomach and causes immediate vomiting. Finally, tabacum may help if a woman has persistent nausea, made worse by tobacco smoke, with an increased desire to spit often.
References
- Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada: Women's Health Information -- Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy
- Bastyr Center for Natural Health: Nutritional Supplements Reduce Morning Sickness
- Canadian Family Physician: Taking Ginger for Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Acupressure on Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy
- HPathy: Morning Sickness in Pregnancy
