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    Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (adjunctive care)

    Also known as: morning sickness, nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, NVP

    Nausea and vomiting are common in early pregnancy and usually ease by 16–20 weeks. Small frequent meals, rest, ginger and prescribed anti-nausea medicines help. Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form needing medical care. Chinese medicine sees Stomach Qi rebelling upward from Spleen-Stomach weakness, Liver-Stomach disharmony, or Phlegm-Damp.

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    Lifestyle & Diet

    • •Eat small amounts often; plain dry foods help.
    • •Sip fluids between meals rather than with them.
    • •Ginger can ease nausea — check with your midwife or GP.
    • •Rest when you can; tiredness makes nausea worse.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    See sources
    • •Avoid strong stimulation of LI4, SP6, BL60, BL67, GB21 and lower abdominal and sacral points in pregnancy.[]
    • •Herbs in pregnancy only by a qualified practitioner, coordinated with the maternity team.[,]

    When to reassess or seek care again

    See sources

    Track vomiting episodes, fluid intake and weight weekly (PUQE score); refer if PUQE ≥13 or ketonuria.

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    Sources & Further Reading

    Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.

    1. Morning sickness — Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
      Healthdirect Australia · 2024
    2. Nausea/vomiting in pregnancy — NICE CKS
      NICE · 2023
    3. Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum — RCOG Green-top 69
      RCOG · 2024
    4. Chinese medicine practitioner registration standards
      AHPRA · 2024

    Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.