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Pregnancy and Motion Sickness?

I’m going on a trip. Will pregnancy make me more likely to get motion sickness?
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profile picture of James O’Brien, MD
Updated March 2, 2017
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That depends — were you prone to motion sickness before you got pregnant? If you were, then, yeah, you’re more likely than other pregnant women to feel really sick in a moving car, plane or train.

But luckily, there are things you can do to prevent motion sickness — or at least cut down on it. What works is different for everyone, but go ahead and try these methods:

Acupressure bracelets. Special wristbands, such as Sea-Bands and BioBands, put pressure on certain spots on your wrist that may help lessen nausea symptoms. Advantages: You don’t have to take any meds, and they’re totally safe. Disadvantages: They don’t work for everyone — and you may not love the fashion statement they make.

Vitamin B6. A B6 supplement may decrease pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting. Worth trying, right?

See your doc. He may prescribe doxylamine, a prescription medication that can help with nausea and vomiting (it’s often given in combination with vitamin B6).

If your nausea is extreme, severe or just doesn’t seem to end, definitely tell your doctor. Up to 85 percent of all women experience some degree of nausea and vomiting during their pregnancy. But only about 0.5 to 2 percent of pregnant women develop what’s called hyperemesis gravidarum, severe nausea and vomiting, which can result in weight loss and hospitalization (scary!), and it’s important to nip it in the bud if you have signs of it.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

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