Preventing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting, the early symptoms of pregnancy, makes people around delighted but only the women who suffer know the distress they go through. Nearly all women experience some degree of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester. It is believed to be caused by high serum levels of a hormone called HCG {Human Chorionic Gonadotropin} secreted by the fetus, and increased estrogen levels. Some theories say that miscarriages are more in whom these symptoms are rarely present.

Severe vomiting can interfere with the weight gain needed to sustain the pregnancy and cause dehydration, which may affect the health and well-being of both the pregnant woman and the fetus. Severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy may also indicate multiple pregnancy (twins or more) or false pregnancy {hydatidiform mole}.

It may start from the first month. The peak incidence is at 8-12 weeks of pregnancy, and the symptoms usually reduce during the 2nd trimester. Some women are extremely sensitive to any form of smell. In some the sight and smell of food brings on vomiting.

If vomiting is severe, it may lead to loss of pre-pregnancy body weight, dehydration, ketosis, nutritional deficiencies and metabolic imbalances.

Treatment includes anti-emetic medications and intravenous rehydration. If medication and IV hydration are insufficient nutritional support may be required. Home remedies like ginger may help to a certain extent but for better results, homoeopathy plays a major role.

Homoeopathy is safe, simple and fast in conditions like these. If homoeopathic medicine is taken in the initial stage of the symptoms, the patient can be 90% free from vomiting.

Some of the medicines which have proved to be very effective for these complaints are Sepia, Nux Vom, Colchicum, Ipecac, Ant Tart, Symporicarpus Racemosa, Amygdalus Amara, Amygdalus Persica. Any one of the indicated medicines can be taken after consulting the doctor. They can be administered frequently when the symptoms are acute. For more details contact any qualified homoeopathic doctor.

(By Dr. J. B. Srinath. M.D.{Hom}, Reviva, The Homeopathic Clinic, # 671, 17th D Cross, CMH Road, 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, Bangalore - 38. E-mail : askdoctorsrinath@yahoo.com
Ph: +91-80-65731575, 94485 69986)