Nausea, Heartburn, and Gas

All medicines listed below can be taken as directed on the packaging safely during pregnancy. Please start with the lowest recommended dose listed on the packaging.

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is common. We recommend trying lifestyle and dietary changes listed below:

• Before getting out of bed in the morning, eat a few crackers, a handful of dry cereal, or a piece of toast or dry bread. Put these within reach of your bed the night before.
• Sit up slowly in the morning and sit on the side of the bed before standing up.
• Eat and drink small amounts at least every 2 to 4 hours. Never go for long periods without food.
• Try snacks high in protein and complex carbohydrates (like roasted chickpeas), especially before bed
• Eat fewer sweets and simple carbohydrates (see below for ideas)
• Avoid foods and substances that can irritate the stomach (coffee, cigarettes, fried foods, spices). These include butter, margarine, bacon, gravies, piecrusts, pastries, fried meats, and french fries
• Avoid water on an empty stomach. Drink it with meals and snacks.
• Avoid all sodas except sodas containing phosphoric acid. If the nausea is severe, avoid drinking citrus juice, coffee, and tea.
• Avoid second-hand smoke.
• Rest, relaxation, and plenty of sleep. Make sure to have plenty of fresh air and good ventilation in the bedroom while sleeping.
• Try a cold compress to your forehead while you rest.

You may use any of the following medicines to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: 

• Acupressure wristband. Remove these at night to prevent swelling.
• Ginger 250mg 4 times each day.
• Vitamin B6 25mg taken up to 3 times daily. You can combine with a dose of Doxylamine (such as Unisom) at bedtime.

Call your provider's office to speak with a Triage Nurse if you are not able to keep down any fluids for more than 8 hours, or have not urinated in 6 to 8 hours, your dry mouth feels dry, and you feel faint and dizzy. The nurse may tell you to go to an urgent care to get IV fluids. 

Heartburn and Indigestion

The following tips may help with heartburn: 

• Avoid highly acidic foods (tomatoes, oranges, vinegars)
• Avoid eating meals within 2 to 3 hours of bedtime
• Elevate your head and shoulders at night with additional pillows while sleeping

Please take only 1 of the following medicines at a time:

• Calcium carbonate (such as Maalox tablets or Regular strength liquid, TUMS, or Rolaids). You should take less than 2,000mg a day.
• Aluminum-magnesium hydroxide (such as Mylanta Regular Strength Liquid)
• Famotidine (such as Pepcid AC)
• Aluminum hydroxide (such as Gaviscon)

If these medicines to do not provide adequate relief, you may try Omeprazole (such as Prilosec) 20mg daily each morning. Take this medicine according to the package directions. Do not exceed the recommended daily dosage or total duration of the therapy.

 Gas

• Simethicone chewable tablets (such as Maalox Anti-Gas, Gas-X, or Mylanta Gas Maximum Strength)
• Gluminum-magnesium hydroxide (such as Mylanta Maximum Strength Liquid or Maalox Advanced Maximum Strength Liquid)
• Follow the package directions. Do not take more than the recommended daily dosage. Do not take longer than the recommended length of time.