What Works For Morning Sickness?

Morning sickness is a misnomer for the nausea that many women feel in pregnancy, particularly in weeks 6-13.  It's misnamed because for many women it can be all-day sickness, although it tends to be worse when you haven't eaten in a while.

The short answer is that nothing is especially effective for everyone.  You have to try different things and see what works for you.  Some people swear by anti-sickness (bands).  Many find that if they nibble something (like some toast) before they get out of bed in the morning that alleviates it.  Fizzy drinks, copious quantities of chocolate, hypnosis, avoiding fruit and vegetables are the right recipes for some, but not for all.

The good news is that very rarely is morning sickness a threat to the embryo/fetus.  As long as the mother was well-nourished before pregnancy and can keep down a pre-natal vitamin with folic acid in it, the baby should be ok.  The main danger is if the mother becomes severely dehydrated; this can be lethal.  If a pregnant woman can't keep fluids down at all, she must seek medical treatment urgently.