How To Avoid Nausea During Pregnancy

How To Avoid Nausea During Pregnancy

Nausea during pregnancy—especially in the first trimester—is very common and often referred to as morning sickness (though it can occur at any time of day). Here are evidence-based strategies to help reduce or avoid pregnancy-related nausea:

🌿 Natural Remedies

1. Eat Small, Frequent Meals

• Avoid an empty stomach—hunger can trigger nausea.
• Try bland, high-carb foods like crackers, toast, rice, or bananas.
• Keep crackers by your bed and eat a few before getting up in the morning.

2. Stay Hydrated

• Sip water, ginger tea, or electrolyte drinks throughout the day.
• Suck on ice chips or popsicles if drinking is difficult.

3. Ginger

• Ginger is safe and effective for pregnancy nausea.
• Try ginger tea, candies, capsules, or ginger ale (check for real ginger).

4. Vitamin B6

• Taking 10–25 mg of vitamin B6 three times daily has been shown to reduce nausea.
• Often recommended as a first-line treatment; ask your doctor before starting.

5. Acupressure or Sea-Bands

• Applying pressure to the P6 (Neiguan) point on the inner wrist can reduce symptoms.
• Sea-Bands (elastic wristbands) are a convenient and drug-free option.

🛌 Lifestyle Adjustments

6. Avoid Triggers

• Identify and steer clear of foods, smells, or sights that worsen your nausea.
• Common triggers include strong perfumes, fried or spicy foods, and stuffy rooms.

7. Eat Before Getting Up

• Rest for a few minutes before rising in the morning.
• Eat something small (like dry toast or crackers) while still in bed.

8. Don’t Lie Down Right After Eating

• Stay upright for at least 30–60 minutes after meals to prevent reflux.

💊 When Natural Remedies Aren’t Enough

If nausea is persistent or severe, consult your doctor. Medications considered safe in pregnancy include:

9. Vitamin B6 + Doxylamine

• Found in Unisom SleepTabs (doxylamine) and over-the-counter vitamin B6.
• Combined, they are a standard treatment for morning sickness.

10. Prescription Medications

• Diclegis (Rx form of doxylamine + B6)
• Ondansetron (Zofran) – commonly used but discuss risks/benefits with your doctor
• Metoclopramide or promethazine – sometimes used in more severe cases

🚨 When to Call Your Doctor

If you experience severe nausea and vomiting, dehydration, weight loss, or can’t keep any food or fluids down, you may have hyperemesis gravidarum, a more serious condition requiring medical treatment.