
- With Mayo Clinic certified nurse-midwife
Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.
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Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.
Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.
Mary Murry is a certified nurse-midwife in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Murry, a Cincinnati native, has been a nurse-midwife practitioner for more than 20 years and is an instructor at the College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic. She was a contributing reviewer and writer of the "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" book.
Her research interests include adult female survivors of sexual abuse, women's perception of pain in labor, and obesity in pregnancy.
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Pregnancy and you blog
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Aug. 23, 2008
Some tips to deal with pregnancy nausea and vomiting
By Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.
Before I ever got pregnant, I worried I would have pregnancies like my dear sister. I think she vomited from the time the sperm united with the egg until her placenta delivered. She never had relief, it just became more predictable. She got the vomiting and fast labor genes and I got the no nausea or vomiting and the slow labor gene.
According to the UpToDate database, some degree of nausea with or without vomiting occurs in 50 to 90 percent of all pregnancies. It begins at five to six weeks gestation, peaking at nine weeks, and usually getting better by 16 to 18 weeks. My sister was one of the 5 percent who continue with it until delivery.
Why do we get nauseated and vomit in pregnancy? Good question — with no definitive answer. There are no studies that can say what causes it. There are theories about hormonal changes and abnormal gastric motility as well as psychological factors.
What can we do about it? If you know that there is a trigger for the nausea, such as the smell of fried food, avoid that. No trips through a drive-through window. Other triggers can be stuffy rooms, perfume and heat. Brushing your teeth can bring it on. Sometimes the iron in your supplements can cause gastric irritation. You could stop your prenatal and take a standard multivitamin or just take your folic acid supplements until after you are feeling better. Eat before or as soon as you feel hungry. An empty stomach can aggravate nausea. Eat frequent high-carbohydrate, low-fat meals. Powdered ginger (1 to 1.5 grams in divided doses over 24 hours) has a positive effect. Some women find lemon-drop candies help.
If your nausea and vomiting are unstoppable, let your health provider know. There is a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum (too much vomiting while pregnant — have to love the fancy name) that can be serious. If you have persistent vomiting and have weight loss exceeding 5 percent of your pre-pregnancy weight, you could fall in this group. Seek help immediately.
I am sure many of you ladies have experienced this. Share with us the things you did to help get through this stage of pregnancy.
80 comments posted
February 11, 2012 11:28 a.m.
What a ridiculous article. "If you know that there is a trigger.... avoid that" and "some women find lemon-drop candies help". I've been in bed with a bucket since week 5, it's now week 8, and EVERYTHING's a trigger - including getting up and showering, toothpaste, juice, water and crackers. Someone has to come up with something more effective than lemon-drop candies, small meals and drinking lots of fluids or I am going to lose my job. As it is, I'm taking unpaid sick leave. I wish the Mayo clinic would take this matter a bit more seriously and give more helpful "tips". Or better yet, post a treatment protocol. Include some drugs that actually help and are safe in pregnancy. I'm in Canada and luckily we have Diclectin which has kept me from being hospitalized as while it does not entirely eliminate my nausea, at least I am not dehydrated from vomiting as I would be without this prescribed medication.
- No name given
January 8, 2012 10:47 p.m.
Ugh...16 weeks and no end in site for n/v since week 5. Sucks. Changed prenatal and now take folate and some b6... Living off Ginger ale, lemonade and smoothies (but they have to be really cold so I don't smell them...). Sigh... First pregnancy and we were thinking three...I shared w/ husband he can carry the next two :) surely Mayo Clinic can do that ;)
- Jenn
December 7, 2011 9:51 p.m.
I'm currently in my 13th week of pregnancy and carrying my first child. My nausea and vomiting was at its peak on weeks 9, 10 and 11. It was horrible, I was sick all day and literally bedridden. Any kind of food made me sick. I suspected that the prenatal was one of the trigger, so I stopped and its a relief to find out that it is safe to do that and just continue with folic acid until I feel better. By week 12, the morning sickness started to ease much to my relief but I still suffer from evening sickness. I tried to take prenatal again 4 days ago after lunch and I vomited within 20 minutes after, so I guess I'll wait another week before I try again. Really hope my sickness will ease off completely by week 16, like my doctor predicts. I find that small frequent meals help to control the nausea and avoid oily, fried food. Dry crackers and tea can also bring relief. Good luck to you ladies!
- Nuni
November 18, 2011 2:41 a.m.
I got nausea and vomiting after my 8th week until my 6th or 7th month, long time I know. Around my 6th month I figured I had to blow my nose as soon as I got out of bed and it actually helped with morning sickness... Who would have tought?! I started blowing my nose every morning, after my meals, and before going to bed. Hey if it helped me it, was a good strategy and it could help anyone else, I hope.
- Gabriela
October 30, 2011 11:29 a.m.
I am on baby number 5 and am just like a lot of you with horrible pregnancies. I am sick from morning to night, nausea and vomiting. I have been given zofran to help the only problem is trying to hold it down. I worked for a doctor who used the motion sickness bracelets and she said those work so thats my next try. Good luck all and I hope everyone feels better. Remember in the end it will all be worth it.
- Marie
October 30, 2011 10:57 a.m.
My wife barely eats and is nauseous all the time. Anything she does try to eat she ends up vomiting it up. I don't know what to do. We've tried everything from eating before she gets out of bed to sucking on fresh ginger(which makes her vomit). I'm out of ideas and her not eating is unhealthy.
- Mike
October 28, 2011 10:48 p.m.
I have had two wonderful pregnancies (and am blessed with two amazing children). Never had any issues with illness the first two times. Now I am pregnant with my third, and feeling more and more nauseous all the time. No vomiting, so I guess I should be grateful, but it's so hard to keep up with everything I do as wife, mom, and at work when my stomach feels so lousy all the time. I'm only about 7 or 8 weeks, and we're trying to wait a little longer before telling anyone. Since I can't complain to anyone else, I'm whining in a blog. I have a newfound empathy for all those moms who are sick with every pregnancy...
- No name given
September 1, 2011 7:23 p.m.
I can barely eat anything. Cold water gives like five seconds of relief. Especially in the morning or before bed Im so nauseated. This is my very first pregnancy, and its been hard Im very happy but so very sick! thank god im not actually puking.
- AAAshley
August 24, 2011 8:16 p.m.
I my "morning sickness" is the opposite. I'm great in the morning while in bed. It's when I get up and moving that things take a turn for the worse. As the day progresses I get sicker until I'm wretched in the evening. So far the only thing that's "helped" is laying down, snacking on multi-grain Cheerios, and flat root bear. It acts like a kind of motion sickness and stress. I think finding a food and drink - whatever works for you - is the key. I have also found that chewing gum (which I normally hate) gives some relief to the nasty mouth taste that can cause retching.
- Robin
August 11, 2011 10:10 a.m.
Hello ladies. I am pregnant with our 3rd child. I am about 8 weeks along and have been so unbareably sick. I was extremely sick with our other two as well. In and out of the hospital, PICC lines, Central lines, all types of nausea meds, but nothing seemed to help. It is miserable and not fair. I don't understand why some people get so stinkin sick during pregnancy and others just fly right through. I can only take Zofran because I am allergic to all the others. Nothing seems to help alleviate that nausea and vomiting feeling. I take my Zofran every 6 hours and by about hour 5, I am so sick again. I do not last every 6 hours. My symptoms seem worse first thing in the morning and right before bed. This is definitely our last child. I am ready to be normal and play with my kids. These pregnancies are definitely no fun and I feel for all of you! It doesn't last forever, even though it feels like it.
- Melissa
July 25, 2011 4:34 p.m.
Two years ago I was diagnosed with Hyperemisis. i vomited and had severe nausea during the entire nine months of by pregnancy. I was under a series of medications (reglan, zofran, phenergan) and on top of that I tried every over the counter vitamin that the doctors recommend to relieve nausea. But nothing really worked as far as giving me a true relief. It's discouraging to say that the most severe cases like mine won't be solved with either medications or wives tales' tricks, but you just have to try every one of them. One thing that my doctor told me and at that time didn't make much sense to me was that foods that contein fiber tends to sit in the stomach and slow down the digestion process, making it more nauseating. In other words, stay away from fiber! Also, intead of drinking water, drink something else with nutrients, salt and sugar, which goes down through the digestive system faster than h2o. The trips to the hospital to get iv used to be what "saved my life". So, keep some fluid down, and your mind in something else other than yourself so you can go through each day. Pregnancy doesn't last forever.
- Aline
July 21, 2011 10:14 p.m.
I am about 9 weeks now and for the last 3 weeks the nausea has been horrible. Im not eating well and the smell or even thought of certain foods make me gag.(Meats especially) I am not vomiting just always feel sick. I feel like this is putting pressure on my relationship because I am just miserable to be around!! My next appointment in Monday...there has to be something he can prescibe to help.. :(
- Jennifer
July 13, 2011 8:33 a.m.
i am pragnant its second month of pragnancy when i eat any thing even water also i do vomiting
- No name given
June 23, 2011 12:46 p.m.
Vincent, I would suggest that your wife call her health care provider. If she is having a hard time eating or keeping fluids down, she could become dehydrated.
- Mary @ Mayo
June 23, 2011 8:32 a.m.
My wife is about 6 weeks pregnant and she has nausea and vomiting throughout the day everyday and vomits an average of 3-5 times daily, it's so bad she has a really hard time eating and it's very difficult on her, we don't have any clue what to do
- Vincent
June 22, 2011 6:16 p.m.
Mary, All these gals are suffering needlessly. Are you aware that there is a national obstetrical homecare company that specializes in managing these complications in pregnancy? Alere offers continuous subcutaneous infusion of ondesetran via a small infusion pump. Alere's obstetrical nurses follow the patient on a daily basis to assess symptoms and adjust medication as necessary. Ongoing education regarding diet and nutrition is part of the program. RN's are available 24/7 and provide encouragement and support to patients. The infusion pump allows freedom of movement and the opportunity to resume normal daily living activities. Patients can ask their obstetricians to prescribe this service for them. Most docs won't object as there is no controversy relating to this therapy. Patients requiring more information can visit www.alere.com.
- Carol
April 25, 2011 3:00 p.m.
Jim, I wanted to clarify about ginger during pregnancy. The above recommendations about ginger for nausea are up to date. There is no research that concludes ginger in large amounts is safe in pregnancy. We base our information on the most up to date and accurate evidence. Here is a link to our current content http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/morning-sick
ness/DS01150/DSECTION=alternative-medicine I hope this helps clear things up. - Mary @ Mayo
April 24, 2011 11:43 a.m.
Interesting that only a few months ago the Mayo site had the below posted about use of Ginger during pregnancy. It's been copied all over the internet, but now removed from this site. Has the Mayo now decided that Ginger is safe? "Some authors suggest that pregnant women should not take ginger in amounts greater than found in food (or more than 1 gram dry weight per day). There are reports that ginger can increase discharge from the uterus in menstruating women, and possibly lead to abortion, mutations of the fetus, or increased risk of bleeding. However, other reports state that there is a lack of scientific evidence that ginger endangers pregnancy. Little scientific study is available in this area to support either perspective...there is controversy in this area."
- Jim
April 19, 2011 12:31 p.m.
This is my 3rd pregnancy, Both my other children made me vomit my whole pregnancy. Its terrible. This one I am at 6 weeks and have been throwing up basically nonstop for about a week now. I cant keep nothing down. What can I do about this? I dont want to continue to go another 7 and a half months and throwing up.
- Charity
January 17, 2011 7:11 p.m.
I am 12 weeks pregnant and have been struggling with nausea since week 6/7 and things have gotten progressively worse. It has gone from feeling nausea and vomiting 1-2x per day, which was tolerable, to no longer feeling nausea but vomiting 4-8x per day. It comes and goes in waves but when the vomiting waves come I can't stop to even drink a spoonfull of gingerale, gatorade or coke. Water is out of the question completely. It seems I can eat bread but once combined with liquid I vomit again. When my stomach is beyond the point of control I go to the ER, get an IV and it helps. I have tried Zofran (4 and 8mg), suppositories, and Unisom/B6 combination but it seems that when the dehydration gets bad the vomiting gets out of control. I quit going to work two weeks ago and have been just trying to get by and get better. Like many of you I am also at my wits end.
- Emily
November 24, 2010 1:24 p.m.
Drinking water was my toughest challenge and my OBG told me it’s very important to get at least 2L down per day. Prior to getting pregnant I would gulp down 8-10 glasses a day. Drinking anything when you're nauseated is a major challenge. I've found that sucking on ice chips though the day helps tremendously. It keeps your mouth cool and fresh and you slowly but surely get some hydration. ALSO - PERRIER!!! Perrier has been my lifesaver. I know this sounds gross, but the perrier, when sipped slowly, can help to make you burp a little. And for me, releasing any air pressure totally helped to relieve the nausea. I found the texture of the perrier easier to handle than just flat water. Just go really slow with it and sip at it throughout the day. It’s especially good about 15 minutes after your little meals because any indigestion or heartburn you are feeling will ease a little with the perrier (it makes you burp up that acidic gas that is making you queasy).
- No name given
November 24, 2010 1:22 p.m.
Honestly, as hard as it is - the best remedy is to eat small frequent meals... it’s really tough to get going with this, but I’m telling you it works. My nausea set in around week 6 - I'm at 8 weeks now. I'm still struggling but at least I'm coping now (a far better alternative to the feeling of “death” that was coming over me a couple of weeks ago). My husband gets up around 6am and makes me a toast with a little peanut butter on it. I fold it in half (to reduce the smell of the peanut butter and to make my challenge to eat it less daunting - it looks smaller folded in half) and get it down right away before my head is even off the pillow. Then typically I sleep for another hour or so. When I get up I go through my morning ritual of getting cleaned up and then eat again (1/2 bowl of cereal, some crackers, anything that seems even remotely appealing). I have found that eating a little something every 1.5 - 2 hours regardless of whether you're hungry or not really helps ward off the nausea. If you can avoid getting any of that “tummy gurggling” your system will probably be a little more stable. I’m literally eating like 8 little meals per day... oh - and I’m taking the prenatal with my last little meal about 1.5 hours before bed.
- No name given
October 30, 2010 4:41 a.m.
This is really informative. I been having trouble finding some morning sickness remedies that really works, and these one seems very promising.
- Grace
October 8, 2010 4:00 p.m.
Nausea during pregnancy is very problematic. There are a lot of natural remedies that will help to alleviate symptoms. Acupuncture is a safe way of alleviating the nausea that often occurs with pregnancy. Though there are points which are contraindicated, if they are avoided, then acupuncture can be very beneficial.
- Liz
August 27, 2010 5:57 p.m.
10 weeks pregnant and my worst nausea bouts were from about week 8-9. I was sick pretty constantly and had just one day where the toilet and I were really getting to know each other for over 6 hours! After that, I threw up about once a day for around a week. Now it's every few days. What has really helped me are the small, frequent meals during the day. I eat every time I feel hungry. And I drink a lot of fluids. Popsicles actually help calm the nausea to keep food down. Cheerios were my best friend for a good week as well. Also, taking prenatals at night did some good for me as well.
- Brit

80 comments posted