sickness

What can I do to help relieve sickness and vomiting?

In most cases, as the symptoms are often mild, no specific treatment is needed. However, there are certain things that you may like to try to help relieve your symptoms. They include the following:

• Eating small but frequent meals may help. Foods high in carbohydrate are best, such as bread, crackers, etc. Some people say that sickness is made worse by not eating anything at all. If you eat some food regularly, it may help to ease symptoms. Eating a plain (or ginger) biscuit about 20 minutes before getting up is said by some women to help. Cold meals may be better if nausea is associated with food smells.
• Ginger. Some studies have shown that taking ginger tablets or syrup may be effective for relieving nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. However, care should be taken, as the quality of ginger products varies and they are not closely regulated in the UK. Before you take a ginger product, you should discuss this with a pharmacist or your GP.
• Avoiding triggers. Some women find that a trigger can set off the sickness. For example, a smell or emotional stress. If possible, avoid anything that may trigger your symptoms.
• Having lots to drink to avoid low body fluid (dehydration) may help. Drinking little and often rather than large amounts may help to prevent vomiting. Try to aim to drink at least two litres a day. Water is probably the best drink if you are feeling sick. Cold and sweet drinks can sometimes make symptoms worse in some people.
• Rest. Make sure that you have plenty of rest and sleep in early pregnancy. Being tired is thought to make nausea and vomiting during pregnancy worse.
• Acupressure. Some studies have shown that P6 (wrist) acupressure may be effective for relieving nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Acupressure is the application of pressure only and does not need needles.