Prenatal vitamins are an important part of a pregnant woman's daily routine. However, for some women, prenatal vitamins can cause nausea or even bring on morning sickness. For others, however, they are a temporary answer to morning sickness, as women can still get necessary nutrients without having to keep an entire meal down.
Morning Sickness Features
Morning sickness is the type of nausea that affects many pregnant women during the first few months of pregnancy. For some, morning sickness is mild and simply a temporary bother. For others, however, morning sickness is severe enough to cause vomiting, and may persist for the duration of their pregnancy. It is impossible for a woman to know whether she will be one of the lucky or unlucky ones before she becomes pregnant, even if she has been pregnant before: Medline Plus reports that it affects every woman differently, even from one pregnancy to the next.
Benefits of Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins are not the answer to the morning sickness woes, but they can help. For women who are unable to tolerate certain foods, or for women who can only stomach small meals or crackers, prenatal vitamins are a source of important vitamins and minerals the developing baby needs. The Cleveland Clinic warns that prenatal vitamins do not replace healthy eating; they are simply a supplement. However, for women with morning sickness, they may be the only access to vital nutrients.
Keeping a Prenatal Vitamin Down
Women with severe morning sickness may have trouble keeping anything down, let alone a prenatal vitamin. For these women, some general morning sickness advice can help. Eating a few crackers before taking the vitamin, or taking it with a high carbohydrate meal may settle the stomach. Pregnant women can also try taking their vitamin with a little ginger ale. Some women may benefit from other morning sickness remedies when it is time to take their vitamin, such as using sea sickness bands and avoiding strong odors or stuffy rooms.
When Prenatal Vitamins Cause Nausea
Unfortunately, some women can barely stomach their prenatal vitamins during bouts of morning sickness. MedlinePlus advises women who are prone to morning sickness to take their prenatal vitamin at night, which can help reduce the chances of nausea. However, some prenatal vitamins are more likely to bring on episodes of nausea than others. The Cleveland Clinic suggests women who are having trouble taking their vitamins regularly talk to their doctor about making a switch: for some, a chewable or gummy version may be easier on the stomach.
Severe Morning Sickness
Most women get through the morning sickness stage without any significant problems. However, for some it can be severe enough to cause weight loss or dehydration. MedlinePlus reports that women with any of the following warning signs should contact their doctor right away: weight loss of more than two pounds, vomiting blood or the inability to keep any foods or beverages down. These symptoms can be a sign of a more serious condition.
