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Health By Jenilee Matz, MPH Mar 11, 2021 • 6 min Nausea is a common symptom during early pregnancy, affecting up to 9 in 10 pregnant women. Though it's referred to as morning sickness, nausea can strike at any time during the day or night. Most of the time, nausea during pregnancy is harmless to unborn babies. Still, it can make you feel awful and negatively affect your quality of life. Learn how long this unpleasant symptom can last and how to make yourself more comfortable in the meantime. What causes nausea during pregnancy?The cause of nausea during pregnancy isn't fully understood. Some studies show that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the pregnancy hormone, may be to blame. The body starts making hCG soon after the fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining, and levels quickly increase over the next several weeks before they plateau and eventually taper off. Estrogen levels also increase during early pregnancy, and may play a role in causing nausea. Slowed movement of foods through the digestive tract and genetic factors may also contribute to morning sickness symptoms. When does nausea start in pregnancy?Nausea is often one of the first signs of pregnancy. Most often, it starts before nine weeks. For most women, nausea subsides by the end of the first trimester. However, in some cases, it can last for several more weeks or months. Rarely, women experience nausea into late pregnancy that doesn't go away until the baby is born. Symptoms to watch forSpecific morning sickness symptoms vary between women and between pregnancies. Some women may only feel sick after being triggered by a specific odor. Other women may be nauseated for a few hours each day and vomit from time to time. In severe cases, pregnant women experience constant nausea and regular vomiting. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have nausea during pregnancy. Even if your symptoms are mild, it's important for your provider to be aware so they can monitor you and suggest treatment, if needed. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you:
These can be signs of hyperemesis gravidarum, a rare but severe form of morning sickness. It can lead to problems, including weight loss and dehydration. Women with this condition need treatment to stop vomiting and replenish fluids. Managing nausea during pregnancyTreatment for nausea often starts with dietary and lifestyle changes. Try these tips to help prevent and ease nausea:
If home remedies don't bring you enough relief, talk to your healthcare provider. They may suggest taking pyridoxine (vitamin B6), doxylamine (Unisom) or both medicines together. These medications can relieve mild nausea during pregnancy. If your symptoms don't improve, your provider may recommend prescription anti-nausea medications. The bottom lineEven though you may feel miserable, know that bouts of nausea during pregnancy are normal. In fact, it may even be a sign of a healthy pregnancy. Some research suggests that women with morning sickness have a lower risk of miscarriage than women without symptoms. (Do not be concerned if you don't have nausea, though. Plenty of women have healthy pregnancies and never feel sick to their stomachs.) Nausea tends to improve after the first trimester and can often be managed with home remedies. If you have severe nausea and vomiting or if lifestyle changes don't improve your symptoms, see your healthcare provider. They may recommend medications that are OK to take during pregnancy. What can I take for nausea while pregnant over the counter?Meclizine (Antivert), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) all help relieve pregnancy-related nausea. A review of over 35 studies found these antihistamines to be safe. And, studies have found that they're better than placebo at treating nausea in pregnancy.
Can you buy something like Zofran over the counter?Ondansetron is a prescription medication, which means you can't get it over the counter. It must be prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Can you buy anti sickness tablets over the counter for pregnancy?You can get antihistamines over the counter, but only take these medicines if you are prescribed them by your GP. The most commonly prescribed medicines for pregnancy sickness are cyclizine or promethazine. Your doctor may offer you a slightly different drug, such as prochlorperazine.
What is the best anti sickness tablet in pregnancy?Prochlorperazine and metoclopramide can be tried if cyclizine has not worked. All three of these medications are considered to be safe in pregnancy. Ondansetron is another medication that may be prescribed for nausea and vomiting and can be taken by mouth or by injection.
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