Managing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
2 faculty at the University of California at San Francisco and the University of Utah reviewed the evidence and make recommendations for treatment.
Let’s focus on complementary options.
Herbals
- Ginger, chamomile, peppermint, and red raspberry leaf tea are most commonly recommended herbal treatments for “morning sickness.”
- Only ginger has research supporting it.
- Ginger at least 1 gram per day (in divided doses) reduces symptoms of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women with nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy.
- It’s not clear whether ginger is superior to pyridoxine (vitamin B6), but it’s at least equivalent.
Acupressure and acupuncture
- Evidence supporting acupressure or acupuncture to alleviate nausea and vomiting related to pregnancy is mixed.
Hypnosis, behavior modification, and psychotherapy
- These treatments have never been compared to placebo.
- It’s possible that in some women, vomiting becomes a conditioned or anticipatory response and would be amenable to hypnosis or other psychotherapeutic approaches.
12/1/09 21:31 JR