How to relieve nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

Morning sickness is a common pregnancy symptom where a woman experiences nausea and vomiting. Changes in appetite and aversions to certain foods can also occur. Morning sickness predominantly happens in the first trimester; however, some women may suffer with it throughout their pregnancy. 

A small percentage of pregnant women have a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum which is a severe form of morning sickness where they are constantly vomiting and nauseous which can be accompanied by weight loss, dizziness and dehydration.  If you have morning sickness symptoms you should consult with your primary care or OB/GYN doctor to rule out any more serious conditions.

Learn what causes morning sickness and common triggers that can set off nausea and vomiting. Discover how acupuncture for morning sickness helps relieve symptoms and our dietary and lifestyle tips for preventing morning sickness naturally. 

What causes morning sickness?

Despite being called morning sickness, it can occur at any time during the day or night. Some women really struggle in the first trimester as they find eating difficult and their morning sickness symptoms negatively impacts their lives. 

The main cause of morning sickness is thought to be the sudden increase in hormones during the first trimester. hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is the primary pregnancy hormone which is produced by the placenta when an embryo implants in the uterus. It is responsible for maintaining the pregnancy by stimulating the production of progesterone. The surge in hCG, as well as estrogen and thyroid hormones, can trigger nausea and vomiting. 

An imbalance of blood sugar levels can also cause morning sickness. Hormonal changes can alter how the body regulates and metabolizes glucose, often reducing the amount of glucose available which causes hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Going too long in between meals or snacks can bring on nausea due to the drop in blood sugars; the female body has to work incredibly hard during pregnancy and therefore uses extra energy supplies. 

Stress, multiple pregnancies (having twins or triplets) and over-exertion or fatigue can bring on and worsen morning sickness. 

Certain foods and drinks (such as fatty or spicy foods, caffeine, strong-tasting vegetables, meat, fish, dairy and eggs), odors and heat can also trigger morning sickness.

Does acupuncture help morning sickness?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, morning sickness is considered an energetic imbalance between the Liver and the Stomach/Spleen organ system (not the physical organs), causing gastrointestinal disturbances.

Acupuncture is a very effective modality for treating and preventing morning sickness. In one study carried out, pregnant women (up to fourteen weeks) who received weekly acupuncture treatment over a four-week period reported less nausea and dry retching compared to the women who didn’t receive treatment.

Acupuncture can help reduce nausea and vomiting by:

• Increasing the secretion of endorphins and ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) from the pituitary gland which inhibits the chemoreceptor trigger zone and vomiting center; these are the areas of the brain that are responsible for nausea and vomiting. 

• Acting on the upper gastrointestinal tract to decrease stomach acid secretion as increased stomach acid can lead to nausea, bloating and heartburn. The hormonal changes that occur in pregnancy can relax the muscles of the esophagus and slow down stomach emptying which can push stomach acid up towards the esophagus.

• Reducing stress and promoting relaxation by stimulating the production of hormones to enhance feelings of wellbeing. Acupuncture also initiates the relaxation response by triggering the parasympathetic nervous system to kick in; this is what slows down the body and helps it adapt to stress.

How long does it take for acupuncture to work for morning sickness?

Acupuncture may work relatively quickly for morning sickness for some people. We recommend coming in once to twice per week during the first trimester. This will of course be dependent on the severity and occurrence of your morning sickness, your personal constitution, medical history and how quickly your body responds to the acupuncture treatment. Your acupuncturist will advise you on this during your first consultation.

Dietary and lifestyle tips for morning sickness

Dietary and lifestyle factors play a big role during pregnancy and can significantly impact how you feel and what symptoms you experience. 

Here are some tips which may help reduce your nausea and vomiting:

• Eat frequently, either small meals or snacks, to help maintain your blood sugar levels. Nausea can increase when you get hungry. Keep some nuts, fruit or a homemade granola bar handy in your bag and by your bedside table. 

• Avoid coffee and stimulants such as tea or cola as they can exacerbate symptoms. 

• Stay hydrated by drinking filtered water and herbal teas, especially if you have been vomiting lots. You may need to increase your intake of electrolytes to maintain water balance in the body. 

• Ginger has been used for centuries to treat morning sickness, especially in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It contains compounds which promote an anti-nausea effect and increase gastric tone and motility to aid digestion. Ginger can be taken as a tea, liquid tincture, capsule or tablet. Consult with a licensed acupuncturist or board-certified herbalist to ensure you are prescribed the correct dose of herbs for your needs.

Prevent morning sickness naturally

Morning sickness can be a distressing symptom during pregnancy, making women lose their appetite and feel awful. Hormonal changes, low blood sugar levels and stress can trigger symptoms so eating little and often, and avoiding trigger foods and caffeine is a must. Using acupuncture can bring the body back into balance, promote relaxation and stimulate the release of hormones which block the signals to the vomiting center in the brain. Using ginger can also be effective in reducing nausea and vomiting. Speak to our pregnancy acupuncturist today to help you manage your morning sickness naturally.

Over to you

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References

1. “Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy”

2. “Current concept of Spleen-Stomach theory and Spleen deficiency syndrome in TCM”

3. “Dysbiosis, Spleen Qi, Phlegm, and Complex Difficulties”

4. “Acupuncture to treat nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial”

5. “Acupuncture for nausea: how does it work?”

6. “Acupuncture for nausea: how does it work?”

7. “Treatment of heartburn and acid reflux associated with nausea and vomiting during pregnancy”

8. “Effect of acupuncture treatment on the immune function impairment found in anxious women”

9. “Acupuncture Effect and Central Autonomic Regulation”

10. “The Effectiveness of Ginger in the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting during Pregnancy and Chemotherapy”