Doctors Give New Advice For Treating Morning Sickness
BOSTON (CBS) - Morning sickness can make life unbearable for some expectant mothers, but now there is new expert advice so women don't have to suffer as much.
Gaby Barajas has been miserable with morning sickness during her pregnancy. At times, she couldn't keep food or drink down. "It was to that point that I was so desperate just to feel better already," says Gaby.
Her doctor suggested the 32-year old try a treatment that combines vitamin B6 and the antihistamine, doxylamine. Now the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is recommending the combination as a first-line treatment for morning sickness.
Dr. Laura Sirott of ACOG says, "There's been a lot of women who've used it and they've got good data to show that there's no risk to the fetus."
ACOG'S recommendations also looked at Zofran, another common drug for morning sickness. Doctors say there is not enough data on fetal safety and are urging further studies.
Half of all pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting, so doctors recommend early treatment to help prevent severe morning sickness.
Dr. Sirott also encourages patients to try natural alternatives, like ginger or acupuncture.
"If that doesn't work, then they should know that there's something down the line that's a little stronger," says Dr. Sirott.
Gaby says she started feeling better fast once she started taking the combined drug treatment. "By the third day," she says, "I was able to sleep again."
Doxylamine is used to treat allergies and the common cold. It's not without side effects, the main one being drowsiness.
