Home remedies for nausea during pregnancy

Pregnancy nausea can happen at any time of day and may be worsened by an empty stomach, strong smells, tiredness or heat. Vomiting can make it harder to drink and eat enough. Nausea itself does not explain every episode of feeling sick: stomach infections, food poisoning, acid reflux, gastritis or gallstones can also cause nausea, especially when there is diarrhoea, fever, significant abdominal pain or symptoms after meals.

Keep plain crackers, toast or another tolerated snack beside the bed and eat a little before getting up. Choose small portions every few hours rather than large meals; include foods with protein when they are tolerable. Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink, and try cold fluids if their smell is easier. Rest, ventilate the kitchen, and avoid smells or foods that trigger symptoms. Ginger products may help some people, but discuss supplements and any medicine with your maternity clinician before using them.

Contact a clinician promptly if vomiting prevents you from keeping fluids down, your urine becomes very dark or scant, you feel faint, or you are losing weight. Seek urgent help for severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit, confusion, or signs of dehydration. A clinician can check you and recommend pregnancy-appropriate treatment; do not assume persistent vomiting is something you must simply endure.

Ask which anti-sickness treatments are suitable for your stage of pregnancy, how to maintain fluids when vomiting continues, and whether another condition should be considered if pain, fever or diarrhoea is present.