Pregnancy
Nausea & morning sickness in pregnancy
Nausea and vomiting affect up to 80% of pregnancies, typically peaking weeks 6-12. Severe cases (hyperemesis gravidarum) require medical management. For ordinary morning sickness, ginger has the strongest evidence of any intervention.
Key points
- ✓Ginger up to 1 g/day is both effective and safe — multiple pregnancy RCTs
- ✓B6 (10-25 mg) with or without doxylamine is first-line in US obstetrics
- ✓Smaller, more frequent meals; avoid empty stomach
- ✓Crackers bedside before rising
- ✓Acupressure wristbands (Sea-Bands) have trial evidence — worth trying
Supportive herbs
Lifestyle & diet
Cool not hot meals, avoid triggering smells, lemon/ginger aromatics, hydrate between meals rather than with them, B6-rich foods (banana, chickpeas, potato).
When to see a clinician
Unable to keep fluids down >12 hours, weight loss, dark urine, dizziness, or vomiting blood — this may be hyperemesis gravidarum requiring IV fluids and antiemetic medication.