Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) can be helpful in treating less severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. While it may not completely alleviate the symptoms, it may provide some relief and may be used in conjunction with antiemetics for an enhanced response. Working with a licensed professional is key to understanding how to effectively and safely utilize complementary options.
The following treatments may alleviate some of the nausea and other symptoms at different times during pregnancy.
Vitamin B6 aids liver metabolism. The active metabolic form is the pyridoxine precursor, pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P5P), because it enters directly into the functioning metabolic cycle. Usually, supplementing 25–50 mg. of B6 three times daily will help reduce the symptoms of morning sickness. Occasionally, higher amounts are needed. If these higher levels are used, it is wise to continue smaller amounts for a while to prevent pyridoxine withdrawal in mother or baby. (Excerpt from Nutritional Programs for Pregnancy by Elson M. Haas, M.D.) Large doses of pyridoxine can cause peripheral neuropathy.
Thiamin/Vitamin B1 is crucial as deficiency exacerbates the symptoms of HG and may cause life-threatening complications such as Wernicke’s encephalopathy within 2 weeks of poor intake or HG.
Vitamin K deficiency can result in facial and limb deformities in the child, as well as maternal clotting complications.
Other supplements helpful in morning sickness include vitamins B12, C, D, E, fish oil, magnesium, and potassium.
Fish oil or fatty acids is associated with lower premature birth rates, and lower allergy rates in the child if taken while breastfeeding.
Vitamin K and vitamin C taken together may provide some symptom relief for some women with mild symptoms.
(Merkel RL. The use of menadione bisulfite and ascorbic acid in the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 1952; 64:416–18.)
Note: Due to muscle atrophy and increased pain sensitivity, it is recommended that intramuscular injections be avoided in HG patients.
Some homeopathic remedies may be of benefit in decreasing milder symptoms including nausea but do not replace the need for antiemetic medication in HG. They are inexpensive and often easily found at health food stores or online. Remedies like Cocculus indicus can be very helpful in decreasing motion sickness both during and after pregnancy.
Homeopathic remedies should be taken on an empty stomach. The remedies should be taken fifteen minutes before or 2 to 3 hours after a meal or beverage, usually in the morning or at bedtime. Dissolve it under the tongue. The pellets are made with natural sweetener so are easily palatable.
People often say homeopathies have no benefit but taking the correct remedy in the proper manner is key to effectiveness. Thus, consulting with a specialist is very beneficial. Homeopathic remedies should be stored at room temperature, out of direct sun light, and stored away from aromatic substances such as perfumes, essential oils, paint or any household chemicals.
NOTE: It is recommended to avoid alcoholic beverages, mint and caffeine containing substances including coffee, tea and chocolate and toothpaste when using homeopathic remedies.
More Info on Homeopathy
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) discusses the chi, or life force, as a major component of the body and focuses on disharmony in the body. A women's body postpartum is especially deficient if she has been challenged by HG for months. TCM may be helpful in regaining energy.
Offsite Research
Sho-Ichi Kawakami, Yoshihiro Furuki, Takaaki Kubota, Yasuhto Souda, Tonoko Souda, Kazuo Kyono, Takashi Kouno
Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy: State of the Art 2000 Conference
The classic acupuncture point for nausea and seasickness, called Pericardium 6 ("Nei Guan" in Chinese, which means "inner gate") is located in the middle of the inner wrist, three finger breadths away from the wrist crease, between the two tendons. Locate and press firmly, one wrist at a time, or get a friend to hold both for 3 minutes or so.
"Seabands" are also available at many stores or online for treatment of nausea related to motion sickness.
Acupressure discs with adhesive are also available. Some women find some relief with these as they put pressure on the P6 point. This may not have a significant impact in women with more severe symptoms.
An acupuncturist can also identify other points that may be helpful. Response is very individual to all therapies. Research findings are very inconsistent on this modality.
Offsite Research
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016; 16: 13.
Although there is some evidence for an effect of acustimulation on nausea and vomiting or hyperemesis in pregnancy, results are not conclusive.
More from PubMed:
The safety data on herbs is unclear and the smell and taste of many herbs are not tolerated. Effectiveness for HG is limited and minimal research has been done.
Full-spectrum light travels from the eye to the brain, where it triggers the hypothalamus to send chemical messengers to regulate the autonomic functions of the body, such as blood pressure, breathing, digestion, and the immune system, as well as the body’s circadian rhythm. In order to maintain health, it may be important to be exposed to light containing the full wavelength spectrum found in natural light.
Full-spectrum light therapy, bright light therapy, and ultraviolet light therapy are used by some clinicians for treating conditions that range from seasonal affective disorder to bulimia, and new applications are continually being suggested. If a woman is unable to leave her home due to HG, consider full spectrum lighting to ease depression.
Offsite Research
Medical hypnosis may be used as an adjunctive treatment option for women with hyperemesis gravidarum. Treatment effectiveness varies greatly.
Offsite Research
Although we avoid recommending specific products, this one is very highly regarded in the complementary medical community. It may be helpful in preventing excessive mucosal irritation and ulcers during HG or help rebuild the mucosa post-HG. The following is excerpted from their product sheet. This product may be ordered through a licensed health care professional.
Integrative Therapeutics Permeability Factors™ Permeability Factors is designed to protect and rebuild intestinal mucosa to support gut barrier function and intestinal permeability with L-Glutamine, NAG (N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine), Phosphatidylcholine, Gamma-Linolenic Acid, and Gamma Oryzanol.* As such, Permeability Factors is intended to promote a healthy balance of microflora in the GI tract and support the healthy transport of nutrients across the intestinal membranes.* (*THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THESE PRODUCTS ARE NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.)
