Treatments for Vomiting in Pregnancy

Vomiting during pregnancy is unavoidable for most women. Morning sickness is an expected part of pregnancy. Some women even welcome it, because vomiting is a sign that the pregnancy is progressing properly. However, morning sickness is never enjoyable. For those with a mild case, it can be inconvenient and annoying. For those with a serious case, it can be dangerous for mother and child. Regardless of the severity of morning sickness, all women want ways to treat their vomiting during pregnancy.

  1. Home Remedies

    • Peppermint can soothe an upset stomach and prevent vomiting during pregnancy. Keep peppermint-flavored gum and peppermint candies in your pocket. When the queasiness sets in, pop a mint or gum. It will help settle your stomach and reduce the urge to vomit.

      Ginger also helps settle a queasy pregnant tummy. Drink ginger ale first thing in the morning to help settle your stomach. Also, there is a brand of lollipop called the Preggie Pop that is made with ginger to help settle the stomach and take away the need to be sick. Preggie Pops are available at maternity specialty stores, baby stores and online.

      Take a supplement of Vitamin B6 each day to ward off morning sickness. Many women claim this vitamin is enough to calm their upset stomachs. Ask your doctor for a recommendation on a proper dose for you.

    Over-the-Counter Medications

    • Never take a medication for vomiting during pregnancy without talking to your doctor first. These treatments have worked for some women but taking medication of any kind during pregnancy always has risks. Make sure your doctor believes the benefit outweighs the risk.

      One-half of a sleeping pill with the active ingredient Diphenhydramine HCl--the active ingredient in Tylenol PM, Simply Sleep and Unisom--will help your whole body relax, including your upset stomach. Some women have great results with this choice for treating vomiting in pregnancy, but again, ask your doctor before attempting.

      The allergy medication Claritin has also been known to help. Only take the regular pill and ask your doctor before trying this. Many times, vomiting during pregnancy is triggered by too much saliva, which causes a gag reflex. Claritin will dry up your excess saliva and therefore stop your vomiting.

    Prescription Medications

    • Phenergan is commonly prescribed to women who have extreme morning sickness, called hyperemesis gravidarum. Phenergan stops signals to the brain that tell you to feel nauseous. Phenergan can be given as a pill, injection or suppository. The pill is hard to keep down if you are already vomiting uncontrollably, so shots are commonly used. The injection is painful and burns for about an hour afterward. It will make you very sleepy, so never drive after a Phenergan shot.

      Zofran is another medication your doctor can prescribe for extreme morning sickness. There is no generic form of Zofran so it is extremely expensive. However, it is considered very safe for pregnancy and very helpful in cases where the vomiting is affecting the woman's ability to function or if she is bordering on dehydration.

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