When news broke of Kate Middleton’s pregnancy last week, the Duchess of Cambridge wasn’t exactly out celebrating. Middleton was quickly admitted to a central London hospital with hyperemesis gravidarum, otherwise known as severe morning sickness. Fortunately for the duchess (or, rather, future moms-to-be who suffer the same fate), research is being conducted on an existing drug that seems to also be effective at treating morning sickness, according to a study in the journal Early Human Development.
The drug gabapentin, an anti-seizure and anti-pain medication, has been shown to relieve nausea and vomiting in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. In a small 2010 study, researchers tested the drug’s effectiveness in seven pregnant women with severe symptoms. The participants saw an average of 80 percent reduction in nausea and 94 percent reduction in vomiting after two weeks. “The drug showed remarkable effects in women who were very sick with this condition and were let down by other treatments,” says lead study author Thomas Guttuso, M.D., assistant professor at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
Unfortunately, additional research and placebo studies need to be done on the medication before OB/GYNs will feel comfortable prescribing it to pregnant women. In the meantime, try these doctor-approved remedies for fighting off brutal morning sickness.
Take a supplement
Along with your recommended prenatal vitamins, Guttuso suggests vitamin B6 for relief from nausea and vomiting. Most women should take 10-25mg three times a day, he says. But make sure to run any new supplements by your doctor before you begin taking them.
Drink tons of fluids
If you’re getting sick often, make sure to amp up your water intake. Replenishing fluids is even more important than keeping food down, says Peter Bernstein, M.D., maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Montefiore Medical Center. “If you get dehydrated, you’ll feel a lot worse,” he says.
Overhaul your eating schedule
Instead of chowing down at your regular mealtimes, snack on several lighter dishes during the day. “Usually having bland, small meals throughout the day will help women tolerate morning sickness much better,” says Guttuso. Try a whole wheat bagel with butter, or apple slices and toast.
Plump up your pillows
Staying in bed might seem like a cure-all, but the wrong position can send you right back to the bathroom. “Lying flat can aggravate indigestion and make things worse,” says Bernstein, and getting up out of bed too quickly can also trigger nausea. Use extra pillows to prop yourself up so that both your head and shoulders are raised. “Keep a little something next to the bed, like crackers,” says Bernstein, “So that even before you bring your head off the pillow, you have something in your stomach to settle it.”
Limit risky foods
Those pregnancy cravings might be telling you to order extra jalapenos, but don’t give in. Certain foods, like anything spicy or acidic, can upset your stomach and make morning sickness worse, says Bernstein. That means holding off on the burritos, tomato sauce, and orange juice for a while.
Keep mints in your bag
Peppermint has been found to help settle your stomach, says Bernstein. Plus, the strong aroma can mask any unpleasant smells that might set you off. Stash some mints in your purse for emergencies—like when you’re passing a seafood market and feel a wave of nausea coming on.
Image: Stockbyte/Thinkstock
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