by K L Arena

Created on: April 20, 2008

You just found out you're pregnant. Whether the discovery is accompanied by starry-eyed bliss or shock and a nail-biting frenzy, fighting morning-sickness can make it hard for any mom-to-be to stay positive. So how do you combat this new villain? Should you join the apparent masses take anti-nausea medication?

You talk to your doctor. Your mother. Your friends. You try the sea bands, sucking the sour hard candies, eating saltines or protein and carbs together to keep your blood sugar up. And none of it works for you. So you're back to square one: do you take the anti-nausea meds?

Yes. It is absolutely something to consider. Your health as well as the health of your baby are of the utmost importance during the months of your pregnancy. Taking anti-nausea medication can directly benefit and can be completely safe for both you and your baby.

First, if you are unable to eat or keep food and drink in your system for any extended time, you may be putting yourself and the baby at risk. Severe morning sickness can cause dehydration as well as anemia and other vitamin and mineral deficiencies. In extremes, this can cause birth defects, such as Spina Bifida (which is linked to a deficiency in the B-vitamin Folic Acid), miscarriage, or pre-term labor. When the anti-nausea medication alleviates vomiting, it is also helping to prevent these complications.

Because of advances in science and medicine, anti-nausea medications are available now which are considered completely safe for the unborn child. Medications such as Phenergan are molecularly too large to cross the placenta, so that the mother's body will absorb them, but the baby's cannot.

In addition, being ill can become really discouraging for the mom-to-be. Employers may not be sympathetic or understanding if you require extended time away from work due to morning sickness. Taking anti-nausea medication can help you stay in that daily routine and alleviate any stress between you and your employer due to your mounting absences or late arrivals.

With those factsyour health as well as your unborn child'sconsidered, taking anti-nausea medication is clearly a safe, respectable, even responsible choice.

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