PRESCRIPTIONS
Ginger may ease nausea, vomiting during pregnancy

By Amy Tousman

Q. Can ginger relieve morning sickness for pregnant women?

A. Those symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or dry heaves in pregnancy, called "morning sickness," can actually occur at any time of day.

Ginger, a popular spice in Hawai'i, may relieve these symptoms. In China, ginger has been used in cooking and as an herbal medicine for digestive problems for centuries.

Studies have shown ginger's ability to prevent many types of nausea, especially motion sickness. There are only a few studies of its use for morning sickness.

A report in the April 2004 journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology has added to the evidence that ginger may be beneficial. Three-hundred women who were less than 16 weeks pregnant and suffered from nausea and vomiting were studied.

The researchers compared the effects of ginger with those of vitamin B6, which is known to improve nausea and vomiting in some pregnant women. Participants were given 350 milligrams of ginger or 25 milligrams of B6 three times a day for three weeks.

Ginger was just as effective as vitamin B6 at relieving nausea and vomiting. Morning-sickness symptoms improved in more than half of the women in each group.

There have been concerns that taking ginger during pregnancy may be harmful to babies. This study found no differences between the ginger and vitamin B6 groups in the amount of birth defects or pregnancy complications. Because this study was relatively small, the authors recommend more study on the safety of ginger during the first trimester.

If you do try ginger, it is recommended to keep the dose to 1,000 mg or less per day. It can be taken as a capsule, or in tea or candy.

Other tips to help ease morning sickness include:

• Eat small, frequent meals, every two to three hours.
• Eat dry soda crackers before getting out of bed in the morning.
• Drink fluids between meals rather than with meals.
• Don't take prenatal vitamins on an empty stomach.
• Avoid greasy and spicy foods.
• Eat or sniff fresh lemon.
• Try lemonade and chips. According to the book "No More Morning Sickness" by Miriam Erick, the combination of tartness and saltiness may help.
• Wear acupressure bands such as Sea-Band.

If all else fails, remember that morning sickness is a temporary condition that usually ends by the 16th week of pregnancy.

Amy Tousman is a registered dietitian with the Health Education Center of Straub Clinic & Hospital. Hawai'i experts in traditional medicine, naturopathic medicine and diet take turns writing the Prescriptions column.

Send your questions to: Prescriptions, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com; or fax 535-8170. This column is not intended to provide medical advice.