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DESCRIPTION
Nausea during pregnancy. This usually occurs in the morning, but may occur at any time.
FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Mild to severe nausea with or without vomiting usually during the first 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy, but may continue throughout pregnancy.
CAUSES
Major hormonal changes that take place to permit normal growth of the fetus. Progesterone and other hormones cause involuntary muscles to relax, probably slowing movement of food through the stomach and intestines. They may also affect the vomiting center in the brain.
Hyperemesis and Hyperthyroid: There may be a link between hyperemesis and hyperthyroidism.. This link is well established but little known (A publication on the subject in Br. J. Obstet.Gynaecol. in ~1984/85.). It may be worthwhile to check thyroid function tests if hyperemesis is persistent. The abnormal thyroid function may be the cause or the result of the hyperemesis, but treatment of thyroid dysfunction may help the nausea. It is always a good idea to look for a goiter if this is a concern. It can be so embarrassing to do the TFT's, get them back abnormal, testing and examination can be done by a endocrinologist.
RISK
Unknown.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Do not let your stomach get empty; eat something every 2 hours if necessary.
EXPECTED OUTCOME
Morning sickness usually stops after the first 3 to 4 months of pregnancy.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition of pregnancy characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss and electrolyte disturbance (rare). This occurs in approximately 1 in 200 pregnancies. It can result in dehydration, acidosis, malnutrition, and substantial weight loss. Possible causes of abnormal vomiting include bile duct disease, drug toxicity, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disorders, vitamin deficiencies (mainly a lack of vitamin B6), and the production of high levels of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin. This may occur due to the presence of cysts in the uterus or multiple pregnancy.
TREATMENT
GENERAL MEASURES
Try to identify the particular odors or foods that are most upsetting and avoid them.
Keep rooms well ventilated to prevent accumulation of cooking odors or cigarette smoke.
Don't smoke cigarettes, and ask family and friends not to smoke while you are experiencing morning sickness.
Keep a positive attitude. If you have conflicts that you cannot resolve, ask for help from family, friends or professional counselors.
Keep a daily record of your weight.
MEDICATION
Medicine is usually not necessary for this disorder. Don't take any medications during pregnancy without medical advice from your midwife or health care provider. A trial of vitamin B-6 may be recommended, which appears safe at the present.
Most allopathic anti-nausea medicines contain antihistamines, which have been shown to cause birth defects in animals. The following herbal and "old wives" preventions and remedies have no harmful side effects. If the morning sickness persists beyond the third month of pregnancy, seek the assistance of a wise woman, midwife, herbalist or other holistic practitioner.
Vitamin K and B-6 Shots may be helpful for a pregnant that feels very sick and dehydrated from vomiting. These injections are given once a week and may remedy the problem or at least lessen the problem so she doesn't have to be hooked up to an IV.
BENEDECTIN & UNISOM
Note: Never take any medication or supplement without consulting with your midwife or health care provider. These recommendations are from other midwives and their clients.
Each capsule contains 25 mg Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), 5 mg Unisom (the OTC sleeping medication that is not Benadryl) and 1/4 mg folic acid. Unisom is the new name for Benedectin minus the B-6 that was in Bendectin. Benedectin was removed from the market in the early 1970's due to teratogenic concerns. Allegedly there was never any proof that Bendectin caused any problems at all. It was voluntarily taken off the market by the drug company because it became too expensive to insure for liability due to a few law suits. As a result of all the accusations about Bendectin, it is now the best studied agent for treatment of nausea, and lots of good research to show it may be quite safe. The problem is the bad publicity. Bendectin was taken off the market not because IT was teratogenic. It was taken off the market because of Thalidomide, and the awful limb deformities caused by that anti-nausea medication. The studies done on all the components of Bendectin and none of them, individually or together, were ever found to cause an identifiable defect. The pharmaceutical company simply didn't want to be the target of any more lawsuits, and so stopped making it. The recommended dosage for this medication was B-6 50 mg tabs, 1 tab orally three or four times daily in combination with Bendectin 25 mg, 1 tab orally three or four times daily.
NOTE - Avoid confusing Unisom Tablets with Unisom SleepGels, which contains different medication.
Vitamin B-6 is effective therapy for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study by Sahakian V, Rouse D, Sipes S, Rose N, Niebyl J Obstet Gynecol 1991 Jul;78(1):33-6). Try vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) on its own first, 25 mg 3-4 times daily, not to exceed 100 mg a day. If the pregnant woman doesn't feel better after two days of this, keep giving the above dose of B-6 and add the antihistamine found in Unisom - 12.5 mg of doxylamine 3-4 times a day. (Note that the active ingredient in Unisom is actually diphenhydramine, not doxylamine. The doxylamine might make her sleepy, since it is an antihistamine, but not as sleepy as taking Unisom).
Vitamin B6 Shots and Unisom: The B-6 (called pyridoxine) is give IM by injection and the Unisom is given 1/2 to 1 tablet two times daily. You can continue to use ginger root or yellow dock herbal supplements along with the medication.
Oral Vitamin B6 and Unisom: Oral vitamin B-6 is taken in the morning and the Unisom is taken at night. It helps to take away the nausea, helping you to cope with the day and you get a good night's sleep from the Unisom.
Unisom (doxylamine) and vitamin B6 for morning sickness - from University Health Services of Eastern Carolina
Oral suspension of Unisom & B-6: An oral suspension of 10 mg doxylamine (Unisom) and 10 mg pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6) in 5 ml of a peppermint syrup. If someone really can't handle mint, a different flavor may be used, but the mint may add to the efficacy of the suspension. This can be taken up orally 4 times daily if needed but the sleepiness from the doxylamine may be a limiting factor. Some women with persistent nausea may have to continue to use this throughout their pregnancy.
Persistent nausea that starts after about 24 weeks (or that recurs around then after ending around 12-13 weeks) is often due to reflux, and is better treated with famotidine or ranitidine (Pepcid, Zantac). Also, don't forget that some persistent nausea and vomiting may be due to H. Pylori. It may be worthwhile to have this checked by your health care provider.
Pyridox Plus: Each capsule contains 25 mg Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), 5 mg Unisom (the OTC sleeping medication that is not benedryl) and 1/4 mg folic acid. It is taken one capsule mid-morning, one mid-afternoon, and two at bedtime. The folic acid addition can make it reimbursable by Medicaid if it submitted by your pharmacist or health care provider. The woman need to eat small meals every 1-1/2 hours, whether or not she throws them up. And not too much. A handful of pretzels with a little bite of cheese, etc. It is recommended that they sip either a caffeinated drink or tea with caffeine, hot or cold, all day.
If these measures do not work, Vitamin B-6 injections may need to be given (by prescription). The pregnant woman or her husband can be trained to give the injections by giving them a prescription of a multidose vial of vitamin B-6, along with alcohol swabs, 3 cc syringes, and strict instructions on how to handle the dirty needles. The used syringes can be stored in a large peanut butter jar and brought back to the midwife or health care provider for final disposal. The first week they get 100 mg, every day. It is suggested to be given at bedtime with 25 mg Phenergan added. The second week, they go to 150 mg, three times during the week. The third week, they go to 100-150 mg, depending on how they are doing, twice a week. The woman stays at this level until she feels better. You know when you are feeling better when your husband has to chase you down to give you the injection and he can't catch you because you feel good. Some women need this all the way through their pregnancy.
For those worried about toxicity, research showed that more than 500 mg/day was the toxic level, whether it was given orally or by IM injection, or IV. (In early studies women got 1500 mg IV). There are no reports of teratogenic effects, but anyone, fetuses or grownups, can start having neural system problems, tremors, etc. when on sustained doses over 500 mg/day. None of the 100 patients who stayed at 150 mg or below, even every day, had any problems.
CORTICOSTEROIDS (PREDNISONE) THERAPY
One Mother's Story and Suggestions for Corticosteroids for Intractable Hyperemesis: I have had three pregnancies. During my first and third pregnancies, I developed hyperemesis gravidarum prior to the end of my sixth week of pregnancy. During the fourth week of my second pregnancy, I was hospitalized for a small bowel obstruction (a result of Crohn's Disease) and given intravenous corticosteroids (solu-medrol). After my release from the hospital, I continued to take oral corticosteroids (prednisone, 60 mg/day) for the duration of my second pregnancy. Interestingly, I never developed hyperemesis gravidarum during my second pregnancy.
While suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum during my third pregnancy, I repeatedly asked my obstetrician whether the corticosteroids had somehow prevented me from developing hyperemesis during my second pregnancy - an idea which she readily discarded. I have since learned that the successful use of steroids to treat intractable hyperemesis gravidarum has been reported in several medical journals. See, for example:"Hyperemesis Gravidarum," Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology,"
Goodwin T. (1998) 41(3):597-605
Management of Hyperemesis Gravidarum Using Steroid Therapy
Quarterly Journal of Medicine, Taylor R. (1996) 89:2, 103-107
Steroid Therapy for the Treatment of Hyperemesis Gravidarum
British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, , and Nelson-Piercy C., de Swiet M. (1994) 101:1013-5.
Corticosteroid use should be reserved for those patients who fail to respond to more conventional treatment. During my third pregnancy, I was given every anti-emetic known to man, including Zofran, and I was put on total parenteral nutrition via a centrally placed double-lumen groshong catheter (spelling?). Yet, I continued to vomit blood-streaked bile. Ultimately, my pregnancy was terminated. I believe that steroid use could have relieved my suffering and allowed me to continue the pregnancy. Thus, I strongly encourage you to research this issue and consider recommending steroids for the most severe cases, particularly when the mother is considering termination.
For more information, contact Linda.
(Information obtained from The Midwife Archives)
HERBAL & HOLISTIC RECOMMENDATIONS
PRECONCEPTION PREVENTION OF MORNING SICKNESS & HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM
Ultimate Cleanse, 2 part Internal Cleansing Program, Nature's Secret, Includes 2 Free CD's, 120 Tabs Each Part, 240 Tabs - The original complete internal body cleanser that helps you detoxify all five channels of elimination (bowel, kidney, lungs, skin and lymphatic system) as well as other organs, blood, cells and tissue with results you can feel in as little as 7 days. Ultimate Cleanse is 100% natural and contains the purest blend of herbs and fibers that gently sweep away wastes and toxins.
A Cleansing Diet Program for 3 months prior to conception is suggested to prevent hyperemesis gravidarum and morning sickness problems after conception. In our fast-paced world it can be difficult to find the time to prepare healthy meals. Unfortunately, our bodies pay a heavy toll for eating unhealthy "convenient" foods. To compound the problem, our bodies are also bombarded with chemicals and pollutants on a daily basis in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the places we work and live. Under this heavy barrage of toxins, the human body will eventually reach a point where it is no longer capable of flushing toxic elements on its own, and they will begin to accumulate. This accumulation of toxins leads to a state of poisoning commonly referred to as toxicity. Common symptoms of toxicity include headaches, fatigue, increased allergy symptoms, overall aches and pains (particularly joint pain), and digestive upset. These symptoms occur when the body has become so bogged down by toxins that it can no longer perform necessary functions effectively. Toxins are generally acquired in one of two ways: either through things we ingest (such as foods, drinks, drugs, etc.) or through external sources (such as the air we breath, radiation, environmental chemicals, etc.). In order to rid the body of toxins, one must go through a detoxification program. The most commonly known way to clean out the system (or detox) is by fasting (eliminating solid food) for a set period of time. However, fasting is severe and can cause problems for people who are not accustomed to the practice. A much gentler way to help the body eliminate toxins is by adhering to a cleansing diet.
A cleansing diet works in two ways: first, it helps detox the body by halting the intake of toxins, and second, it further helps detox by flushing out the toxins currently in the body. Before starting a cleansing diet it is important to understand the effects of the food you are putting into your body. Many foods that are commonly thought to be part of a good balanced diet can actually have just the opposite effect. During a cleansing diet you want to avoid any allergenic foods, meat (particularly organ meat), dairy products (milk is very mucus forming), refined sugars and flours, hydrogenated fats, fried foods, eggs, and drugs. Many of the meat, dairy, and poultry products available in supermarkets are the products of animals that have been treated with hormones to help them grow and produce faster and have been given food that is treated with chemical pesticides. Those hormones and pesticides that have been ingested by livestock are then ingested by you when you eat. Other unhealthy sources of calories like fried foods, saturated fats, and refined sugars and flours place an extra digestive burden on a body that is already stressed by toxicity. The more processed a food item is, the less nutritional value it has and the harder the body has to work to utilize it. In a healthy system the introduction of a toxic or irritating substance is handled in one of three basic ways: the body is able to neutralize the toxin completely, transform it into something less toxic, or eliminate it completely from the body. When a state of toxicity has been reached, the body may be incapable of doing any of the above. So it's vitally important to try and eliminate as many known toxins as possible. A cleansing diet is based on the general idea that when all sources of incoming toxins are eliminated, the body will be able to start to eliminate stored toxins.
During a cleansing diet you will want to consume mainly whole grains, vegetables (preferably organic), fruits (again, preferably organic), pasta, rice, beans, and herbs. The more natural the diet is, the better. Consuming vegetables in a state as close to nature as possible is the healthiest for your body. When vegetables are cooked, they loose most of their nutritional value. Lightly steaming is a very good way to cook vegetables and still retain their nutritional value. It is also important to eat all organic foods if possible during a cleansing diet. Non-organic produce can contain extremely high levels of pesticides and chemicals. If you are unable to find organic produce, wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them. Be sure to consume a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to ensure that you are getting enough of each of the eight essential amino acids. Soy products are an excellent source of vegetarian complete protein.
The second aspect of a cleansing diet is helping your body eliminate its toxin stores. The easiest way to accomplish this is by drinking water. Water is excellent at flushing out toxins and restoring health. You should drink at least a gallon of water a day (drink more if you are able). You can also drink natural herbal teas, natural lemonade (made without refined sugar), and other 100% juices. It is important to eliminate sugar sodas, diet sodas, coffee, and teas that contain caffeine. Exercise is also an excellent way to help the body rid itself of toxins. When you sweat, toxins are excreted directly through your skin via your sweat glands. Sitting in a sauna for limited amounts of time can also have the same effect.
The length of time a cleansing diet is maintained is based on individual needs. A cleansing diet is unlike other traditional "diets" because it can be maintained indefinitely and become a life style choice. It can also be used periodically to help give your body a boost when you feel it is needed.
The benefits of detoxifying your body are both short and long term. Immediately after detoxifying you might notice increased mental awareness, more energy, more comfortable digestion of foods, and better absorption of nutrients, as well as an overall feeling of good health. Long-term benefits can include a reduced risk of cancer, reduced risk of environmental illnesses, and reduction of chronic illnesses.
A cleansing diet should not be done during pregnancy or while lactating. Consult with your health care provider or midwife prior to starting any type of program or therapy, especially if you have health issues.
A Liver Cleanse including 20 grams vitamin C daily for a couple of weeks before getting pregnant may help prevent nausea during pregnancy.
Milk Thistle (standardized to 80 mg. silymarin) is taken consistently before pregnancy and during the first trimester will help the liver to gently detox and help hyperemesis to be avoided.
Colon & Liver Cleanser, Organic, 16 fl. oz. - CAC liquid is a colon and liver cleanser and detoxifier as well as a blood cleanser that serves to regulate the bowel movements so that the stool is so soft it breaks up into a cloud.
Complete Body Cleanse Kit, Life-Flo - The Complete Body Cleanse Kit not only supports the body's own detoxification mechanisms, but at the same time enhances them. This triple action system works on the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and the circulatory system, a place where a lot of heavy metals reside.
Ultimate Liver Cleanse, Nature's Secret, 60 Tabs - The liver is the target for nearly every toxin, chemical and contaminant that we contact during the course of our lives. Fortunately certain herbs have the remarkable ability to effectively cleanse and support the liver to rejuvenate its optimal functioning state. Ultimate Liver Cleanse combines many of these ingredients in a blend that will cleanse and support liver function. This product contains several herbs such as dandelion, milk thistle. etc. that all aid in the cleansing of the liver and restoring healthy liver function.
Liver Cleanse, (5) 2 day Liver Cleanses Plus 48 Day Supply of Liver Support Tea. - Liver Support Tea Food & dietary supplements traditionally used to help nutritionally support the normal cleansing of the liver of waste materials, including those resulting from the activity of gall stones. The use of these herbal supplements is a traditional use that is not intended to be prescribed for, treat or claim to cure any disease, including diseases involving gallstones. Do not take while pregnant and keep away from children.
Thisilyn, Milk Thistle Extract, Nature's Way, 175 mg, 100 VCaps - Nature's Way Thisilyn, Milk Thistle Extract, is especially recommended for those who drink, smoke, or are exposed to environmental pollutants.
Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum silymarin), Standardized Extract, Nature's Way, 175 mg, 60 VCaps - Milk thistle extract is a potent antioxidant which prevents harm from free radicals and lends nutritional support to the liver. Milk thistle seed extract contains silymarin, a unique type of flavonoid-like compound considered the active ingredient of milk thistle.
Internal Whole Body Cleanse Products & Information
PREVENTING MORNING SICKNESS
There is a strong connection between nausea in early pregnancy and low blood sugar. Maintain blood sugar levels by eating small meals frequently, preferably every few hours. See DIET section for further information.
Walking a mile a day will help to prevent chemical buildup of by-products resulting from increased hormonal activity of pregnancy. If these are allowed to build up in the body, morning sickness can occur.
Increase available iron and the vitamin B complex (vitamin B-1 and B-6 are most important) through diet or nutritional supplements. A vitamin B-6 deficiency may cause morning sickness. Supplements of 10-20 mg daily in your diet will completely relieve this nausea.
Eat unsalted crackers, dry toast, or matzo before getting out of bed.
Avoid spicy and greasy foods; even cooking greasy foods for someone else may nauseate you.
Pregnant women are very sensitive to smells. Surround yourself with healthy scented atmospheres. Some suggestions are Bergamot, Geranium, Lavender and Rose. To a bowl of hot water, add a few drops of one or more of these essential oils and let the aromatic vapors fill the atmosphere.
When getting up in the morning, get out of bed slowly avoiding any sudden movements.
Drink a cup of Anise or Fennel seed tea when you wake up in the morning.
Drink one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces of warm water when getting up in the morning.
REMEDIES FOR MORNING SICKNESS
Open the window or go outside to get some fresh air.
Drink a cup of Raspberry leaf, Catnip, or Dandelion tea or infusion each day. Sipping the infusion before getting up or sucking on ice cubes made from the infusion increases the strength of the remedy.
Drink a tea made from dried Peach tree leaves to help control morning sickness discomforts.
A bowl of boiling water with 4-6 drops of Spearmint oil added, placed on the floor by your bed overnight, will help keep the stomach calm. The aroma molecules will waft up and gently do their work as you sleep, and after using this method for three consecutive nights the morning sickness should be gone or reduced. Alternatively, put one drop on your pillow.
Sip Peppermint or Spearmint infusion first thing in the morning. This is a stimulating and effective anti-nausea remedy. This may be taken several times during the day to bring relief, if preferred.
Use Peppermint Essential Oil, either on brown sugar or in honey water. One drop of essential oil taken every hour until relief is obtained is usually adequate to bring relief. Peppermint oil may cause liver problems if taken internally. Peppermint leaf tea may be preferable to using essential oil for internal use. However, as aromatherapy, peppermint oil in water, then diffused in the air can be effective for treatment of morning sickness. It will also nullify the effects of any homeopathics you are taking, so be aware.
Apply a Lavender Essential Oil compress to the abdomen. Add two drops of essential oil to a bowl of warm water, soak a small towel in the liquid, wring it out, then apply to the abdomen. Place a larger towel over the top, then rest for 30 minutes or so.
GINGER ROOT FOR NAUSEA
Ginger root is a life saver for many. Take 2 capsules of ginger root 3 times per day. For ginger powder, take 1 gram of powder daily, in 4 divided doses. Use for short periods of time, and do not exceed 1 g. daily. No reported side effects. (pg. 116 Herbal Prescriptions for Better Health by Donald J. Brown, ND) The author cites a Danish study: Fischer-Rasmussen W, Kjaer SK, et al.: Ginger Treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 38:19-24, 1990.
For motion sickness, use ginger root for nausea. Start with 1000 to 1100 mg in the morning and then every 6-8 hrs as needed. Ginger root has been well studied and is more effective than Dramamine for treatment of motion sickness. Add Vitamin B-6, 100 mg twice daily. Works over 95% of the time.
We use ginger in many forms for relief of nausea. It can be in the form of ginger root capsules (desiccated ginger, such as used in cooking, tea made from freshly grated ginger, ginger ale (with real, rather than artificial ginger), ginger cookies, a product called Ginger Works which is ginger in some sort of thick, sweet syrup. There are actually controlled clinical trials which showed that ginger was more effective than Dramamine for motion sickness. The study involved spinning folk in those space simulators, and measuring the time until they vomited, demonstrating the superiority of ginger over Dramamine.
Two articles are in the literature.
1. Erick,M Vitamin B-6 and Ginger root in Morning Sickness J.Am. Dietetic Assn. 1995;95:416
2. Fischer-Rasmussen and Dahl Eur. J Obstet. Gynecol And Repro. Biol. 1991;38:19
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Try any one of these homeopathic remedies; Ipecac 30x, Nux vomica 6x, Cannabis 30x.
ELECTROLYTES
An electrolyte-balancing tea for nausea in pregnancy: 1/2 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 calcium tablet, powdered (not bone meal of dolomite)
Enough water to make one quart of fluid. Have the woman take spoonfuls at regular intervals.
If you have serious problems with morning sickness and you are becoming dehydrated, a hydrating enema is a treatment that was used before IVs and can be used in place of IV therapy. Any nourishing substance can be absorbed in the bowel. You may need to do a cleansing enema first to clean out the bowel before using a hydrating enema. Here are a few suggestions for a hydrating enema:
- Pedialyte, a commercially made electolyte solution given orally to sick kids can be used via a hydrating enema.
- A solution containing one tablespoon of sugar to one teaspoon salt dissolved in one quart of water.
- A weak red raspberry leaf tea with a little honey and a pinch of salt.
- Saline solution consisting of a heaped teaspoon of common salt in a pint of boiling water. Allow to cool to 100°F (which is near body temp and should feel warm but not hot). This should be given via an enema slowly into the rectum and repeated at intervals of three to four hours. This is a recommendation for shock and collapse due to hemorrhage or any other cause when the patient is in need of bodily fluid from severe loss.
Enemas need to be given warm and very slowly. It is surprising how well solutions are absorbed and tolerated using this method.
CHIROPRACTIC FOR NAUSEA
chiropractors say that they've often helped women with hyperemesis. They've also noticed a correlation between hyperemesis and TMJ problems, or a history of wearing braces.
ACUPRESSURE / ACUPUNCTURE FOR NAUSEA
Acupuncture May Ease Morning Sickness. If morning sickness has you on pins and needles, acupuncture may bring relief, a new Australian study suggests. The ancient Chinese art helped ease nausea and vomiting symptoms among nearly 600 women tested, reports BBC News Online. The women, all less than 14 weeks pregnant, received weekly 20-minute acupuncture sessions for four weeks. Most symptoms were gone by the second week, the Adelaide University researchers report in the American Journal Birth. (3/1/02)
Between 1 and 2% of pregnant women experience hyperemesis gravidarum, or severe morning sickness. A randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study found that stimulating acupuncture point PC6 helps ease nausea and vomiting. Thirty-three women (average age 28.4 years) were divided into two groups. Group A received deep needle insertion at the PC6 point on both forearms three times per day for 30 minutes. Group B received a form of placebo acupuncture, with a needle inserted superficially approximately four inches above the wrist on each arm. On days one and two of the eight-day study, each group received their treatments; after two more days of no treatment, the procedures were switched for each group. Each day, the women rated degree of nausea and recorded instances of vomiting. Those women given active acupuncture experienced a "significantly faster reduction of nausea" compared with those who received a placebo. This reduction was seen in both groups; identical results were seen in each group when the treatment was switched. The incidence of vomiting was also reduced in both groups, with a much greater reduction seen in those receiving active acupuncture. Daily vomiting had been reported by all 22 women at the study onset; by day three less than half of the women in the active group were still vomiting compared with 75% of those in the placebo group. - Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, October 2000;20(4):273-279.
A midwife recently had a client with severe hyperemesis, on home IV's with a PIC line, etc. She went to her local acupuncturist and reported immediate relief with the first puncture. It lasted about two days. The acupuncturist also gave her a lot of interesting dietary information. The return of the nausea was frustrating when the client was not able to pay for regular sessions, but the relief was dramatic.
The most common acupuncture point utilized for the quelling of nausea is located on the underside of the wrist, approximately three finger-breadths above where the wrist meets the bottom of the palm of the hand, and in line with the ring finger. Because of the simplicity of finding this point's location and the ease with which it can be accessed, pregnant women experiencing the nausea of "morning sickness" will often press their fingers into this point when a wave of nausea hits them.
Acupressure on the ear. Basically, the area is right on the outside edge of your ear - right across from the opening. Stick your finger in your ear and then slide it across to the outside edge. Many people notice a sore spot there when it is squeezed. If you feel a tender area, you've found the right place. Whenever you feel the nausea, just find the place and squeeze that area with a good amount of pressure and hold it for 30 seconds. If the nausea is still there, you can hold it for up to 2 minutes. Either ear can be used or alternate from ear to ear.
Sea Bands are the most effective remedy for morning sickness that is freely available. You will find them at travel agents, Walgreens & CVS Drug Stores, K-Mart & Walmart Stores, as well as some health food stores. www.sea-band.com
The ReliefBand® device is a watch-like device worn on the ventral side of the wrist. When activated, the device emits a low-level electrical current across two small electrodes on its underside. The ReliefBand® device is the first patented, commercially available Nausea-Vomiting device to reach the clinical marketplace. The ReliefBand® NST(TM) device is indicated for use in the treatment of nausea and vomiting (NV) due to chemotherapy, motion sickness, and pregnancy.
SUGGESTIONS FROM PREGNANT CLIENTS - THINGS THAT HELPED THEM WITH MORNING SICKNESS
Note: MoonDragon does not necessarily recommend the use of any of these suggestions. These are submitted by pregnant women trying to find remedies for their morning sickness problems. Always check with your midwife or health care provider before taking any medication, therapy, or supplement during pregnancy.
Royal jelly (made by the queen bee) helped nausea, possibly because of its high vitamin content.
Phenergan (Promethazine) Rectal Suppositories is a antihistamine for moderate to severe allergic reactions. It may help some women. Ask your health care provider about safety and dosage during pregnancy. These are contraindicated for use in children.
A herbal blend of linden and meadowsweet taken as a tea. If nausea and vomiting is still a problem, a hydration enema with warm water and plain Pedialyte may be necessary to supplement oral fluids.
Kids Superfood Powder, Chocolate Flavor, 200 g, Children's Supplement - The Superfood Children's Supplement has 33 fruits and vegetables with a healthy scoop of cocoa to bring a new and tasty way for kids to get the anti-oxidant power of 3 servings of fruits and vegetables in one glass.
Spirutein protein shake, available at health food stores. It comes in several appetizing flavors. Some health food stores have little sample packets, so you can decide which one you like the best. Consuming adequate protein is an effective way to help prevent/manage pregnancy nausea. You may have to force yourself to consume the protein because of your nausea, but it you follow it through, you may find yourself feeling better in a few days or so. You should do 2 shakes a day, if you can - morning and evening. You can mix the protein powder with milk, soy milk, rice dream, whatever you drink, plus you can blend it with all sorts of fruits, to make it a more palatable "smoothie". It is also helpful for people with low energy, and is great for late pregnancy when your uterus is heavy, and you can't get eat as much food. You can use other brands of protein. Shaklee is also good.
Spirulina Powder, 100% Natural, NOW Foods, 1 lb. - Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) rests atop the green superfood pantheon. This blue-green vegetable plankton has been a source of nutrition for humans since the Aztecs harvested it from Lake Texcoco in Mexico centuries ago. Spirulina very well may have been the first photosynthetic life form created by nature over 3.6 billion years ago. Algae such as Spirulina is believed to have produced the oxygen in our atmosphere that allowed the development of higher life forms, and it still contains the rich nutrient content that supports the diversity of life we have on Earth today. Spirulina contains the highest protein and beta-carotene levels of all green superfoods, and is also a rich source of GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid), a popular fatty acid with numerous health benefits. In addition it is the highest known vegetable source of B-12 and provides optimum levels of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, cell salts, amino acids and enzymes. NOW® Spirulina is 100% pure, Certified Organic, and cultivated/harvested in Hawaii, where ideal weather conditions allow for year-round growth and excellent nutritional content.
EcoTein Powder, Superfood Soy Protein, All Natural, Vegetarian, Natural Mixed Berry, NOW Foods, 16 ox. - EcoTein Superfood Soy Protein has raised the bar on what a premium Soy Protein supplement should be. NOW's team of certified nutritionist and expert product formulators went to exhaustive measures to develop a great-tasting Soy protein that mixes easily and delivers an exceptional nutritional profile. Each delicious serving of new EcoTein from NOW provides 14 grams of Soy Protein, along with over 40 perfectly-balanced supporting nutrients. Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 25 grams of soy protein a day may reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving of NOW EcoTein provides 14 grams of soy protein. Available in Natural Vanilla Flavor.
Some people say that nausea beyond mild nausea between weeks 4-12 is caused by a contracted blood volume. It is easy enough to try to remedy this by drinking lots of water (3 quarts - 12 glasses each day) and taking baths to keep the fluid out of the tissues.
Eating a peppermint pattie with the combination of peppermint, sugar and feel-good hormones was helpful.
Herbal teas to be sipped hot: spearmint, peppermint, raspberry, chamomile, and ginger. Rotating the teas can be helpful.
Chew food thoroughly.
Avoid large amounts of fluid with meals (drink 15 minutes before eating and all the fluid will be absorbed if it's over 95% water).
Avoid greasy, gassy or fatty foods (snack on high-carbo foods).
Chewing gum helps some women.
Moderate exercise improves GI tract function. Susun Weed recommends walking a mile a day to combat nausea.
Iron supplements can make some sick, if so consider nutritional iron.
Alive! Whole Food Energizer, Multi-Vitamin & Mineral, W/ Naturally Occurring Iron (No Iron Added), Nature's Way, 90 VCaps
MORNING SICKNESS PRODUCTS
OTHER REMEDIES FOR NAUSEA AND MORNING SICKNESS
ACTIVITY
No restrictions. Moderate exercise is encouraged and may help alleviate morning sickness.
DIET
Place small, quick energy snacks, such as soda or whole-grain crackers, whole wheat toast near your bed and eat some before arising.
Eat a small snack at bedtime and when you get up to go to the bathroom during the night.
Eat small, frequent meals and snacks on whole-grain crackers with nut butters (but not peanut butter) or cheese. Avoid large meals. Snacks should consist of high-protein foods with nut butters on apple wedges or celery; nuts; popcorn with nutritional yeast; brown rice with miso; bread & tahini; a quarter sandwich; cheese and crackers; milk; cottage cheese; yogurt sprinkled with granola; turkey or chicken slices. Avoid foods that are high in fat and salt and low in nutrition.
Do not go without food or drink because of the nausea. Sip on fluids throughout the day to keep hydrated.
Nutrients Supplement Suggested Dosage Comments L-Methionine 1,000 mg daily Effective in preventing nausea. Used to prevent toxemia in pregnancy. Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine) 50 mg every 4 hours A combination of nutrients that helps to prevent and alleviate nausea. Reduces the severity of morning sickness. Vitamin C and Vitamin K Follow directions on label. When taken together, can reduce the symptoms of morning sickness. Ginger As directed on label. Helps relieve nausea when taken in capsule or tea form Chamomile 50 mg every 4 hours The juice helps calm the stomach. magnesium 400 mg daily upon arising. Caution: Take this combination of Vitamin B-6 plus magnesium only as long as needed. Do not take it for longer than 6 weeks unless recommended by your midwife or health care provider.
Peppermint Stomach Soother Tea, Yogi Tea, Caffeine Free, Certified Organic, 16 Tea Bags
Organic Peppermint tea from Yogi Tea is the perfect way to lift your spirits and quiet your stomach; with a fresh flavor and aroma you'll want to enjoy everyday.
Vitamin C 1000 with Bioflavonoids, Nature's Way, 100% Natural, 1000 mg, 250 VCaps
Nature's Way Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids provides antioxidant protection for many of the body's important enzyme systems.
Vitamin C 500 with Rosehips, 100% Natural, 500 mg, 250 Caps
Vitamin C with Rose Hips is an antioxidant useful in treating infections, bruising, colds & flu, sinusitis, sore throats, blood clots, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, physical and mental stress, immune function, cholesterol levels, liver toxicity and assists in collagen formation.
Stomach Upset Formula Tincture, 100% Organic, 2 fl. oz.
Stomach Upset Formula is used as an all natural herbal remedy for an upset stomach and acidosis, digestive problems, halitosis, morning sickness,and motion sickness.
Nausea / Morning and Motion Sickness Tincture, 100% Organic, 2 fl. oz.
The Nausea / Morning & Motion Sickness Tincture is for upset stomach, nausea, and morning sickness; helps to soothe and calm the stomach.
Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine), Nature's Way, 100 mg, 100 Caps.
Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) is converted in the body to the main coenzyme responsible for amino acid and protein metabolism.
L-Methionine, 500 mg, Plus B-6, 10 mg, 100 Caps.
L-Methionine is an essential sulfur amino acid. The body cannot produce L-Methionine, which must be obtained from food or supplement sources.
Ginger Tea, 20 Tea Bags
Caffeine Free Ginger Tea is used in Chinese medicine to remove toxins, warm the stomach, maintain good health, especially in changing weather conditions, and to prevent seasickness.
Ginger Root Tincture, 100% Organic, 2 fl. oz.
Ginger Root helps to promote gastric secretions, thus aiding with food absorption and excellent for indigestion, flatulence, nausea (including travel sickness), and colic.
Kelp Seaweed (Norwegian) Tincture, 100% Organic, 2 fl. oz.
Due to overwhelming research results, Kelp has become an effective treatment for hyperthyroidism.
Ginger Peach Longevity Tea, Republic of Tea, Regular, 50 Tea Bags
Ginger Peach Longevity Tea is one of our best-selling teas with the sweet lushness of a fancy peach with spicy ginger. Voted "Outstanding Beverage" by the National Association of the Specialty Food Trade.
Motion Mate Formula with Ginger (Natural Motion Sickness Remedy), Nature's Way, 100 Caps
Motion Mate, a natural motion sickness remedy, formula is based on clinical studies that show ginger root is more effective against motion sickness than dimenhydrenate, but exhibits none of the negative side effects.
Progesterone Tincture, 100% Organic, 2 fl. oz.
Female Estrogen With Progestrone formula is used mainly to promote hormonal balance. It does not contain hormones, however.
Alfalfa Leaves, Nature's Way, 405 mg, 100 Caps
Nature's Way Alfalfa Leaves are organically grown by Trout Lake Farm, Washington, and Certified Organically Processed in accordance with Oregon Tilth standards and the California Organic Foods Act of 1990.
Prenatal Multi-Vitamin & Mineral, 100% Natural & Complete, Nature's Way, 180 Caps.
Nature's Way Prenatal Vitamin with Folic Acid is a women's complete vitamin formulated to support the health of the mother and child.
NOTIFY YOUR MIDWIFE OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF...
You have morning sickness that does not improve despite the above measures.
You vomit blood or material that resembles coffee grounds.
You lose more than 1 or 2 pounds.
HELPFUL LINKS ABOUT MORNING SICKNESS & HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM
Dodds L, Fell DB, Joseph KS, Allen VM, Butler B., Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Feb;107(2):285-92 - The results of this study suggest that the adverse infant outcomes associated with hyperemesis are a consequence of, and mostly limited to, women with poor maternal weight gain.
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