Morning sickness during the first trimester of pregnancy is miserable. Parents Ask expert Dr. Jason Rothbart offers solutions and tips for coping:

Q:  How Can I Treat My Nausea during pregnancy? Is there something I can take? Something I can eat or things I should avoid? Why do pregnant women feel so nauseaus in their first trimester? When is vomitting too much?

A:  Nausea in pregnancy can be severe and debilitating, even if there is no actual vomiting. There are very effective and strong medications that can be prescribed to treat nausea in pregnancy. In addition, there are excellent over the counter methods that are a great place to start. Vitamin B6 taken at the same time as Unisom (yes, the sleep aide) three times a day can be very powerful at treating nausea and vomiting. The motion sickness wrist bands work very well also, as does simple ginger. It is also important to avoid triggers that make the nausea worse. Even if you love cucumbers when you aren't pregnant, if just the sight of them sends you over the edge when you are, no need to push it. Stay away!

The easiest adjustment to make is to eat smaller meals more consistently throughout the day, and to really be always eating or drinking something. Larger meals can make a pregnant woman feel miserable. This nausea and vomiting in pregnancy typically has an onset in the first few weeks, peaks around 8-10 weeks, and tapers off after 12 weeks. This pattern coincides with the rise and falll of the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). HCG  is responsible for the nausea and vomiting and when it starts to decline, so too will the symptoms.

It's important to remember that the fetus is very well insulated in the uterus and that it really takes everything it needs from the mother, even if she is not able to eat that much. A woman would have to be so sick as to not eat anything for three weeks and to lose 15 pounds before a fetus was affected. This being said, its always be in good communication with your doctor/midwife so they can try to treat these symptoms well before they get to a severe state.

See Also:

-Is it Safe to Lift Heavy Objects During Pregnancy?

-What is Truth About Flying During Pregnancy?

-Can I Eat Sushi During Pregnancy?