Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy affect up to 80% of pregnant women. However these symptoms often disappear in the majority of women by the 20th week of gestation. The cause of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy remains unknown. Psychological, gastrointestinal, infection and hormonal factors are currently being investigated for the role they might play. While there are no proven effective treatments for this, women with mild symptoms may benefit from the following dietary changes:
Eating small frequent meals that are bland in taste and low in fat Avoiding smells and textures that cause nausea Drinking cold liquids, such as lemonade Eating salty and dry foods in the morning, such as salted crackersGinger has been used since ancient times for treating nausea and vomiting. Studies have shown that ginger is effective for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Possible adverse reactions to ginger during pregnancy have been identified and scientific bodies around the world provide different recommendations on its usage.
However, there have been no published reports of an increase in foetal abnormalities associated with taking ginger during pregnancy. At this stage, it seems sensible to be cautious about using concentrated ginger extracts during pregnancy.