Does vomiting affect the baby?
Average rating:
Not usually. The baby gets nourishment from your body's reserves even though you may not eat well when you are vomiting. The effort of retching and vomiting does not harm your baby. The only time your baby may be affected is if you become very ill with dehydration which is not treated.
What are the treatments?
- No treatment is needed in most cases as the symptoms are often mild.
- Eating small but frequent meals may help. Foods high in carbohydrate are best, such as bread, crackers, etc. Some people say that sickness is made worse by not eating anything at all. If you eat some food regularly, it may help to ease symptoms. Eating a plain (or ginger) biscuit about 20 minutes before getting up is said by some women to help.
- Triggers. Some women find that a 'trigger' can set off the sickness. For example, a smell or an emotional stress. If possible, avoid anything that may trigger your symptoms.
- Have lots to drink to avoid dehydration (low body fluid). Drinking little and often rather than large amounts may help to prevent vomiting. Try to aim to drink at least two litres a day. Water is probably the best drink if you are feeling sickly.
- An anti-sickness medicine may be advised if symptoms are severe, or do not settle. It is generally best to avoid medicines when you are pregnant (including herbal remedies as the contents are often uncertain). However, some medicines have been used for a number of years and are thought to be safe. For example, many women have used promethazine or cyclizine and there is no evidence that they harm a developing baby. Always see a doctor before taking an anti-sickness medicine when you are pregnant.
- Hospital care is needed to give fluids by a 'drip' in small number of women who become quite ill and dehydrated (low in body fluid).
Other causes of vomiting
Remember, not all vomiting may be due to the pregnancy - you can still get other illnesses. For example, the following are not usual symptoms of vomiting of pregnancy: diarrhoea, blood in vomit, jaundice (yellow skin), high temperature (fever), and stomach pains. See a doctor if these symptoms occur, or if the vomiting is severe and you suspect that you are becoming dehydrated.
© EMIS and PIP 2005 Updated: June 2005 PRODIGY Validated
Average rating:
rachel yates, about 1 year
i am having my first baby and im not two sure what to do im scared im only 19 and me and my parter are very happy. but i am not getting morning sickness but i do feel sick but im not being sick thowhat do i do thank you
Report this comment