Home remedies for morning sickness

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Dr. Meera Garcia of North Atlanta OBGYN knows all about morning sickness.  She's been through it, twice.

"Well, first of all, morning sickness is a misnomer,” Garcia says. “Morning sickness can happen in the morning, it can happen in the afternoon. It can happen in the evening.  It can happen all day long. So, basically, it's nausea associated with pregnancy."

Doctors don't know exactly what causes it.

"We think it's hormonal,” says Garcia.  “We also think it has to do with the fact that when a woman is pregnant, the digestive system doesn't move through food and digestive products as quickly."

But Dr. Garcia says there are some things that may ease morning sickness.

"We try to keep hydrated, number one,” says Garcia.  “Eating small meals, eating bland meals.  Eating, basically, what they want to eat."

Sucking on a piece of hard candy can help generate saliva and speed up digestion, says Dr. Garcia.

"Ginger candies are great, lemon drops are wonderful,” she says.  “Jolly Ranchers."

Many women swear by ginger, perhaps the most tried-and-true home remedy for nausea and vomiting.

It can be found in supplements, or you can use raw ginger to brew your own tea.

Drugstore antihistamines, or allergy medications, can help.

Dr. Garcia says so can a combination of Vitamin B6 and doxylamine, the antihistamine/sedative found in over-the-counter sleep aid Unisom.

"So you have to take medicine that can cause drowsiness, which is doxylamine,” explains Garcia.  “But , then once you add it with the B-6, it really seems to control it.”

Or, there’s a prescription medication called Diclegis that combines both B6 and doxylamine.

"And, it's considered pregnancy “Category A,” says Garcia. “So it's very safe in pregnancy."

Garcia says some of her patients get some relief from an acupressure wristband, or a deep tissue massage.

Some women with moderate to severe nausea and vomiting may need to go to the doctor for IV-fluids to keep them hydrated and a prescription nausea medication.

If you’re suffering from mild symptoms, talk to your doctor, and hang in there.

Morning sickness, too, shall pass.

It just may take a while.