Morning Sickness – Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
Doctors look for symptoms like nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and signs of dehydration.
If they suspect hyperemesis gravidarum—a more severe form of morning sickness—they’ll check urine and blood for electrolyte issues, ketones, and other concerns that might signal significant fluid loss or nutritional imbalance.
A medical exam helps rule out other causes, like abdominal pain, tenderness, infection, or gastrointestinal issues, to ensure the symptoms are pregnancy-related and not something more serious.
Doctors may also ask about:
- How often you’re vomiting
- Whether you can keep food or liquids down
- Changes in body weight
- How the symptoms are affecting your daily life
In some cases, ultrasound might be done to check for multiple pregnancies (like twins) or molar pregnancy, which can both trigger more intense nausea
Treatment
Most people can start with vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) and doxylamine. These often help with mild nausea.
Ginger can also help if symptoms aren’t too bad. If things don’t improve, a doctor might suggest prescription antiemetics. Sometimes, doctors use corticosteroids for tougher cases.
People who have moderate or severe vomiting might need IV fluids to prevent dehydration and keep electrolytes balanced.
If someone keeps losing weight, they might need a feeding tube for nutrition, but that’s pretty rare.
Common Treatments Table:
| Treatment | Use/Notes |
|---|---|
| Pyridoxine (B-6) | First choice in most cases |
| Doxylamine | Often combined with B-6 |
| Antiemetics | For severe nausea |
| Fluids (IV) | For dehydration |
| Enteral nutrition | Rare, for ongoing weight loss |
| Corticosteroids | Sometimes tried in difficult cases |
Always check with your care provider before starting any new medicines or supplements.
Daily Habits and Simple Remedies
A lot of people find morning sickness easier to handle by changing up their daily routine. Choosing the right foods can make a difference.
| Helpful Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Bland Diet | Eat bananas, rice, applesauce, dry toast |
| Small, Frequent Meals | Snack throughout the day instead of big meals |
| Drink Fluids | Sip water, ginger tea, or ginger ale, 6–8 cups daily |
| Avoid Triggers | Stay clear of foods and smells that worsen nausea |
| Gentle Vitamins | Try chewable or take vitamins with a snack |
Foods that are high in protein and low in fat, like chicken or eggs, usually sit better than greasy, spicy, or fatty foods. Bland foods—think bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast—are gentle and can calm the stomach.
Some individuals say salty snacks or ginger (like ginger tea or candies) help settle queasiness.
Eating Pattern Tips:
- Try a small snack, like dry toast or crackers, before you get out of bed.
- Eat several small meals during the day instead of three big ones.
Don’t let your stomach get too empty or too full.
Hydration Matters:
- Staying hydrated can really help with nausea.
- Sip water, ginger ale, or ginger tea often.
- Aim for 6–8 cups of non-caffeinated fluids each day.
Reducing Triggers:
- Notice which smells or foods make you feel worse, and do your best to avoid them.
Vitamins and Supplements:
- If prenatal vitamins upset your stomach, take them with a snack or before bed.
- Chewable or gummy vitamins might be easier to handle.
- Talk to your healthcare provider if these tricks don’t help.
After Vomiting:
- Rinse your mouth with water and a bit of baking soda to protect your teeth from stomach acid.
Non-Traditional Remedies
Plenty of people try non-traditional remedies for morning sickness. A popular one is acupressure wristbands, which you can find at most pharmacies.
These bands press on a spot on the forearm, and some people say they feel better with them. Though, honestly, it doesn’t work for everyone.
| Remedy | Common Forms | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Ginger | Capsule, tea, candies | Nausea relief |
| Acupressure | Wristbands | Nausea relief |
| Acupuncture | Needles by trained expert | Nausea relief |
| Aromatherapy | Essential oils, inhalation | Nausea relief |
Acupuncture uses very thin needles in certain spots. Some folks swear by it for easing nausea, but results can be hit or miss.
Ginger is another classic—capsules, tea, candies, or ginger ale made with real ginger. Some studies back it up as a way to manage morning sickness.
Other things people try:
- Aromatherapy: Smelling essential oils like lemon or peppermint might help some people handle nausea.
Getting Ready for Your Prenatal Visit
Planning ahead helps you get more out of your prenatal appointment.
Here’s a quick checklist:
Write down all your symptoms—how often you feel sick, how much you vomit, and whether you can keep fluids down. Even mention symptoms that don’t seem related to pregnancy.
- List all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take. Include the name, dose, and how often you take them.
-
Prepare a set of questions for your healthcare provider. Here are a few ideas:
- Are these problems linked to early pregnancy?
- Do I need any tests to check my health?
- How long will these symptoms last?
- Will medicine help my symptoms in the first trimester?
- Is my baby at risk because of my symptoms?
- What foods or drinks are best for me now?
Bring a family member or friend if you can—they might help you remember details or just give you some support. Take a notepad and jot down the advice and next steps your provider gives.
How Your Provider Will Respond
When you show up for your appointment, your healthcare provider will probably ask you some pretty direct questions:
- How bad are your symptoms? Are you able to eat and drink like usual?
- What seems to set off your nausea or vomiting?
- Do these symptoms show up at certain times, or are they hanging around all day?
- Have you noticed any foods or activities that make things better—or worse?
Your provider might check you over with a physical exam. Sometimes, they’ll order tests to figure out if your symptoms match up with early pregnancy or if something else is going on.
