Pharmaceuticals have made great medications for pregnancy-related nausea. These drugs manufactured specifically for pregnancy-related nausea are safe for the unborn child. With both of my pregnancies, my morning sickness (which was really 24-7 sickness) did not end until the day I had them, which is unusual because pregnancy-related nausea usually ends around the 12th week of pregnancy. I was unable to eat and even threw up saltine crackers and water. Who knew you could actually throw up water? Without the nausea medication my doctor prescribed me, I would be jeopardizing my life and the life inside me because I was not getting the proper nutrients. Not only did I throw up crackers and water, I also started throwing up bile (some people refer to this as "stomach acid") when I didn't have anything in my stomach at all. This is very painful and can actually cause a lot of damage to your esophagus.
According to www.webmd.com, Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a rare disorder characterized by severe and persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that may necessitate hospitalization. As a result of frequent nausea and vomiting, affected women experience dehydration, vitamin and mineral deficit, and the loss of greater than five percent of their original body weight.
I understand why some women would be hesitant to take any medications during pregnancy, but sometimes they are necessary. In my case, the nausea was so severe and lasted through the entire pregnancy, so my doctor felt it was necessary to ensure a healthy baby. You have to decide if the benefits are worth the risks. With the particular medication I was on, there were no known risks and both of my girls, age 9 years and 4 months, are perfectly healthy.
I was diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum in both of my pregnancies. I required several hospitalizations for treatment with intravenous fluids as a result of this condition. According to my doctor, Hyperemeses Gravidarum occurs in approximately 1% of pregnancies and cannot be prevented, although it can be managed with mediciation and dietary changes. Once I was prescribed anti-nausea medication, my vomiting decreased by about 50%, making it possible to finally stay hydrated and eat small amounts.
For someone who is not medically trained to suggest to a pregnant woman who is vomiting past her first trimester that she should not take any medications could unknowingly be endangering the life of both mother and child. Would these people also tell a diabetic to not take insulin? Only a licensed doctor can make the determination of whether medication would be in the mother and child's best interest.
I do not recommend that pregnant women take any kind of medication, prescribed or over-the-counter unless they have consulted their doctor.