Pregnancy ailments: Remedies, avoidance strategies, and onset times
Morning sickness, a common condition during pregnancy, affects around 80% of pregnant individuals and is often one of the first signs of pregnancy. This condition, characterised by nausea, vomiting, or both, can be particularly challenging around the 10th week, a time when hCG levels peak and symptoms may intensify.
Fortunately, morning sickness can be managed effectively through a combination of home care strategies and, if necessary, medications. Here are some of the most effective approaches:
## Home Care Strategies
1. **Dietary Changes:** Eating small, frequent meals instead of three large meals can help keep your blood sugar stable. Mild-smelling, bland foods like crackers, toast, bananas, rice, and applesauce (BRAT diet) are recommended. Steer clear of spicy, greasy, or strong-smelling foods to avoid triggering nausea.
2. **Fluid Intake:** Staying hydrated is crucial. Drink plenty of water, and consider infusing it with lemon or cucumber for taste. Herbal teas like ginger, peppermint, or chamomile can help soothe nausea and keep you hydrated.
3. **Rest and Relaxation:** Prioritising rest and engaging in relaxing activities like meditation or deep breathing can help manage stress, which can exacerbate symptoms.
4. **Miscellaneous Remedies:** Ginger, used in tea, candy, or slices, can help alleviate nausea. Acupressure wristbands targeting the P6 pressure point can also provide relief. Avoid strong smells as they can trigger nausea.
## Medications and Supplements
1. **Vitamin B6:** Recommended in moderate doses (10-25 mg, three or four times daily), vitamin B6 can help reduce nausea.
2. **Doxylamine:** Often prescribed in combination with vitamin B6 for more severe cases, doxylamine can help alleviate symptoms when natural remedies are insufficient.
3. **Anti-Emetics:** Prescription medications used in severe cases where nutrition and health are at risk.
When to Seek Medical Help: If you experience severe symptoms such as inability to keep food or liquids down, signs of dehydration, or significant weight loss, it's important to seek medical help.
It's essential to remember that while ginger supplements may help reduce nausea symptoms during pregnancy, clinical evidence to support this is lacking. Diclegis, a brand-name medication containing doxylamine succinate and vitamin B6, has been approved for use during pregnancy and may help relieve nausea in some individuals. However, the efficacy of this drug is questioned by some studies.
The over-the-counter medication Unisom SleepTabs, containing B6 and doxylamine, may help treat morning sickness during the first trimester. However, it's always best to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new medication during pregnancy.
In severe cases of morning sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, hospitalisation and treatment with IV fluids may be necessary. Symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum include an inability to keep fluids down, dehydration, weight loss, alkalosis, hypokalemia, and may require hospitalisation and treatment with IV fluids.
In conclusion, morning sickness can be managed with self-care strategies such as rest, drinking fluids, eating small meals, and avoiding triggers. Some people may need medication to manage morning sickness symptoms. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new medication or treatment during pregnancy.
The home-care strategies that can help manage morning sickness include eating small, frequent meals and opting for mild, bland foods, staying hydrated by drinking water and herbal teas, and practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing. However, it's essential to note that while ginger supplements may provide some relief, the clinical evidence supporting this is limited. In severe cases of morning sickness, medical intervention may be necessary, such as hospitalization and treatment with IV fluids. Pfizer's Diclegis, a medication containing doxylamine succinate and vitamin B6, has been approved for use during pregnancy and might help relieve nausea in some individuals, though its effectiveness is debated by some studies.
