Nausea%20-and-%20vomiting%20in%20pregnancy Patient Education
Lifestyle Modification
Diet
- Pregnant women should be instructed to eat small, frequent meals that are high in carbohydrates and low in fat
- Solid foods should be bland tasting
- Salty foods such as salted crackers and potato chips usually can be tolerated early in the morning
- Sour and tart liquids such as lemonade often are tolerated better than water
- Spicy, fatty, acidic, sweet and odorous foods should be avoided
- Prenatal vitamins, when taken at night, may improve nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP); taken preconception for prophylaxis
- Delaying iron supplement may help decrease NVP
Avoidance of Strong Sensory Stimuli
- Nauseous women should avoid food textures and smells that tend to cause nausea
Emotional Support
- Women experiencing NVP need reassurance and appropriate support from family members, medical and nursing staff
- Expert consultation is advised if a pregnant woman is depressed, domestic violence is suspected, or if there is evidence of substance abuse or in the presence of psychiatric illness
Other Measures
- Fatigue tends to exacerbate NVP; therefore, women should be encouraged to increase their rest periods
- Women should also be advised to avoid other triggers (eg loud noises, heat, physical or visual movement, increased pressure on abdomen)