Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) is the most common medical condition of pregnancy affecting up to 80% of all pregnant women to some degree.

Dietary strategies to help with NVP:

Keep solids and liquids separate. Mixing can cause the stomach to feel fuller and may cause gas, bloating and acid reflux.
Eat small portions every 1-2 hours.
Include a small amount of protein with each meal and snack.
There are liquid supplements, puddings and protein bars on the market to replace the lack of essential maternal nutrients.
Eat whatever you can tolerate while you are nauseous. Fetuses generally receive the nutrition they require – sometimes to the detriment of the mother

Fluids:

Consume at least 2 litres of fluids daily in small amounts taken frequently.
Colder fluids, including ice chips and popsicles appear to be easier to tolerate and can decrease the metallic taste in the mouth.
Consider commercial sports drinks to maintain electrolyte balance.

Antacids:

Heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux, gas or bloating can make NVP worse. It is important to treat these symptoms with antacids containing calcium carbonate.

Medication:

Diclectin is a safe medication in pregnancy and can help with NVP. It has been available for over 30 years in Canada and prescribed to more than 33 million pregnant women.
Gravol may also be used in pregnancy at a dose of 50-100mg every 4-6 hours by mouth or rectum up to 200mg/ day in total If vomiting frequently, take gravol 30-45 min before taking Diclectin.
Ginger tablets or chews: up to 250mg, 4 times/day, or 500mg, 2 times/day.
The new non-drowsy Gravol with ginger contains 500mg of ginger per tablet. Therefore you may take up to 2/day. The package will say that it is not safe in pregnancy and that is because it is recommended in doses of 3000mg of ginger and that is too much in pregnancy. Note: if you have the 2 tablets in a 24hour period, do not have any other ginger products that day (ie ginger tea or chews)
Vitamin B6 is also safe in pregnancy and can be used to help with NVP. It is safe up to 200mg/day. Note that Diclectin contains 10mg of B6 per pill and the amount in your prenatal vitamin is 1.9mg in maternal and 10mg in Pregvit.
Anti-nausea bands can also be an option as well as acupuncture by an experienced practitioner.

For more information, call toll-free Motherisk NVP Helpline at 1-800-436-8477 Monday to Friday 9am-5pm EST or online at www.motherisk.org

For further information, please visit:

References

PIPC website