Without exception the most common complaint that I get from patients during the first thirteen weeks of pregnancy is that of nausea and vomiting. This is commonly referred to as "morning sickness" but that can be a misnomer since it can and often does occur any time of the day.
If the vomiting is persistent, you may become dehydrated. This can deprive your baby of essential nutrients. We are still not sure what causes the severe vomiting, but it may be related to increased hormones during pregnancy. There are several things that can be done to alleviate nausea:
The first line of treatment is small, frequent meals consisting of bland foods. Avoid fried, greasy or heavy foods. Also drink small amounts of liquid frequently. Eating crackers and dry toast first thing in the morning may help. If the vomiting persists, you may need to be hospitalized and receive intravenous fluids. This will give both you and your baby the necessary nutrition you both need.
Remember -- always consult your doctor if you are having nausea and vomiting all during your pregnancy. The solution may be simple. Recently, I had a patient who had complained of nausea which persisted for ten days. It occured the same time, every night, just after going to bed. It seemed that she had a craving for burritos, in which she would indulge just prior to going to bed. Remember, the solution may be simple!