Pregnancy & Baby 

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What is morning sickness?

Fortunately, nausea of pregnancy is self-limiting, usually a problem only during the first trimester (until the time of the fourth missed period). If it extends well into the second trimester, if she is unable to hold food down at all or if she is losing weight, she should be evaluated. There are some rare complications of pregnancy which may cause severe nausea and vomiting.

Despite the fact that intermittent vomiting is a problem for the mother, most babies do well if she can hold down fluids and easily digestible foods. During her antenatal check ups, she should be checked for ketones in the urine. Ketones are fat-metabolism byproducts, which can be toxic to developing babies.

Foliate deficiency has been implicated in extreme nausea. Be sure she is getting 400 micrograms of folic acid per day.

If we know that this is the normal nausea of pregnancy, here are some tips:

1. Small, frequent meals, every two hours (even through the night, if you can do that)
2. Dry crackers before moving in the morning
3. Eat a high-carbohydrate diet: dry toast, honey, banana, baked potato, muesli and other whole-grain breakfast cereals, steamed rice, tofu
4. Sweet juices or flat soda in the morning
5. Avoid strong smells, fatty foods and spicy foods; some women cannot tolerate milk, eggs or meat
6. There is anecdotal evidence of acupressure to the wrists helping nausea
7. Vitamin B6, 50 milligrams by mouth twice a day
8. Do not use alcohol or tobacco, and limit coffee during the first trimester
9. Peppermint tea
10. Ginger tea; boil ginger root in water and strain, serve with honey
11. Lots of love and support and less stress.

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