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Nausea and vomiting are extremely common during early pregnancy and can happen at any time of day, not just in the morning. Symptoms often improve toward the end of the first trimester, although every pregnancy is different.
Fortunately, there are several things you can try at home. Start with the strategies and over-the-counter treatment below, and please let us know if your symptoms aren't improving or you're having difficulty staying hydrated.
Things That May Help
Things That May Help
Eat small amounts frequently. An empty stomach can make nausea worse.
Keep a bland snack by your bedside if mornings are difficult. Eating something before or shortly after getting up can help break the cycle of hunger → nausea → difficulty eating.
Sip fluids throughout the day. Cold, carbonated, or flavored drinks may be easier to tolerate than plain water.
Try ginger. Ginger tea, candies, chews, or other ginger-containing products can help some people.
Consider acupressure wristbands. There is some evidence that they may help reduce nausea, and they are safe to try.
Try taking your prenatal vitamin at bedtime. Prenatal vitamins can sometimes worsen nausea. A gummy prenatal may also be easier to tolerate. If you're still struggling, let us know and we can discuss temporarily switching to a simpler folic-acid-containing option.
Vitamin B6 and Unisom (doxylamine) can be used together to help control nausea. They work best when taken consistently rather than waiting until you feel sick. Think prevention: taking Unisom at bedtime can help reduce nausea the next day.
What If That's Not Enough?
What If That's Not Enough?
If these strategies and Vitamin B6 + Unisom aren't controlling your symptoms, please let us know. There are several prescription medications that can safely be used during pregnancy, and we can help determine which option may work best for you.
If you're having difficulty staying hydrated, IV fluid infusions may also be helpful. Some patients benefit from occasional or regularly scheduled infusions during pregnancy. IV nausea medication, such as Zofran, and electrolytes can also be given when appropriate.
Our office will need to place orders before your infusions can be scheduled, so please contact us if you think this would be helpful.
Scheduling Your Infusion
Scheduling Your Infusion
Once our office has placed your orders, call 704-384-7233 to schedule your infusion. Novant Health offers several ambulatory and hospital-based infusion locations throughout the Charlotte area.
When Should I Call?
When Should I Call?
Mild nausea and occasional vomiting are common during pregnancy and can usually be managed at home with the strategies above.
Please contact our office if:
You're having difficulty keeping fluids down or are vomiting frequently
You're urinating much less than usual, feeling very dizzy or faint, or having other signs of dehydration
Your symptoms are making it difficult to eat, drink, or get through your usual activities
You're losing weight
The treatments above aren't providing enough relief
Nausea and vomiting often begin before your first prenatal visit. You don't need to wait until that appointment to ask for help. Please let us know if your symptoms are becoming difficult to manage or you're struggling to stay hydrated.
For severe symptoms, including fainting, significant abdominal pain, vomiting blood, or being unable to keep any fluids down, please seek prompt medical evaluation rather than waiting for a MyChart response.
→ Bradford Clinic OB/GYN – Hawthorne
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