Tips to ease pregnancy's morning sickness

Susan Warhus, MD

Your question:
My wife is three months pregnant and she vomits a lot and is not able to eat at all. Is there any solution for this?

The expert answers:
Nausea and vomiting during the first trimester dare often called morning sickness. The truth is, it can occur at any time of the day. It is very common, occurring in about 70 percent of all pregnancies. Rising levels of pregnancy hormones cause these symptoms.

Typically, symptoms begin at around week six, peak at week 10, then subside by about week 14. Most cases of morning sickness are not harmful to you and will not hurt the fetus. Here are some ways to cope with the nausea and vomiting:

Drink or eat clear fluids such as frozen juice bars, Popsicles, Jell-O, or ice

Eat bland crackers, dry toast

Eat the BRATT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, tea

Eat five or six small meals each day

Drink liquids thirty to forty-five minutes after eating solid foods

Take prenatal vitamin with meal

Avoid bothersome smells and odors

Get plenty of fresh, cool air

Sit up or stand up slowly

Try over-the-counter medications: sea bands, vitamin B-6

Ask your doctor for Rx medications

Your symptoms will usually go away as your first trimester comes to a close. In rare cases, morning sickness can be persistent and severe, leading to weight loss and dehydration. Here are signals for alarm that require a phone call to your physician:

vomiting any fluid for more than one day

losing weight

urinating only a small amount that is dark in color

feeling excessive thirst

racing or pounding heart

feeling dizzy or faint

vomiting blood

In such cases, intravenous (IV) hydration in the hospital may be required. Sometimes, arrangements for IV home treatment with daily visits from a home health care nurse can be arranged.