By Dr Ananya Mandal, MD
According to experts we are nowhere near establishing safe and effective ways to treat morning sickness. Since the Thalidomide disaster in 1960’s that led to severe birth defects in the infants, this area of research is scary and less explored by many researchers. Despite its name, the vomiting and nausea of morning sickness can occur at any time of the day and affect about half of pregnant women. Between 70% and 85% of women will experience nausea during pregnancy, with about half suffering vomiting. Around 2% will experience it so badly they need to be hospitalised.
According to the acclaimed international group of researchers from Cochrane, alternative therapies are of little help as shown by evidence. The Cochrane researchers assessed 27 strictly controlled trials involving more than 4,041 women who were up to 20 weeks pregnant. These included six studies of acupressure and two of acupuncture and no significant benefit was noted with these methods. One study of acustimulation - the mild electrical stimulation of acupuncture points - did document some improvement. Ginger in the form of biscuits to tablets or vitamin B6 showed some benefits in the condition. Slight evidence of efficacy was seen with antihistamines and anti-vomiting drugs including Debendox, which was withdrawn from the market in the UK but is routinely prescribed in Canada.