Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) are benign physiological conditions, commonly known as “morning sickness”. Approximately 70% of pregnant women experience NVP. Symptoms reach their peak in the 6th to 12th weeks of pregnancy. Standard clinical practice in managing morning sickness of moderate to mild severity should focus initially on natural and non-pharmacological interventions before drug therapies.
Dietary and lifestyle management strategies
Appropriate choices and eating patterns in relation to dietary needs form the basis of NVP management strategies intending to stabilise blood glucose and avoid gastric irritation.
- Split Meals – Small, frequent meals help avoid a completely empty stomach, which causes nausea, while also avoiding a distended stomach, which induces the gag reflex.
- Composition of diet – High protein foods, such as cheese or nuts, should be favoured over fatty or spicy food, as they would take the stomach longer to empty and create discomfort.
- Cracker method – Eating dry, bland crackers or toast first thing in the morning before getting out of bed can help stabilise blood sugar and absorb stomach acids.
- Hydration regime – Maintaining the average intake of 8 glasses of water per day helps avoid dehydration. The fluid should be taken between meals and not with food to reduce stomach distension.
Therapeutic Effectivity of Ginger
Ginger is among the most well-researched herbal remedies for managing nausea during pregnancy. Ginger tea significantly improves nausea symptoms. Ginger can be taken in various forms, like:
- Fresh ginger root infusions (Ginger tea)
- Standardised ginger capsules
- Natural ginger ale or crystallised ginger
Vitamin B6 Supplementation
Vitamin B6 acts as a co-factor in neurotransmission and amino acid metabolism. It is one of the most extensively used vitamins that effectivity improve NVP.
Vitamin B6 is one component in the only FDA-approved prescription medication used for morning sickness. Pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP) has been identified as the most biologically active form of B6 and a reliable marker of NVP resolution. The recommended dosage of vitamin B6 is safe for both maternal and fetal health.
Acupressure and Neuro-modulation
The non-invasive physical therapies based on Traditional Chinese Medicine have seen a clinical resurgence. The most commonly used method involves stimulation of point P6 (Neiguan) on the inner wrist.
Stimulating the targeted acupoints neuro-modulates the vagus nerve, which innervates the stomach and is responsible for motility of the gastrointestinal tract and gastric emptying.
Conclusion
Most patients will feel comfortable if they adhere to good dietary practices and explore botanical or physical therapies such as ginger and acupressure. However, in the case of Hyperemesis Gravidarum, the patient should receive prompt medical attention.
