One of the most unpleasant symptoms of pregnancy is, of course, morning sickness. For some reason morning sickness has been held up for ridicule ever since the first time a woman had to run for the bathroom because she ???had one in the oven.??? However, for many women this symptom of pregnancy goes beyond a few hours of nausea.
Women who???ve experienced extreme morning sickness (called Hyperemesis Gravidarium) know it is no laughing matter; it can rule a pregnant mother???s life and be almost incapacitating. This syndrome differs from normal morning sickness, as the symptoms are several grades more severe, including extreme bed-ridden nausea and often constant vomiting (at least three to four times a day). Pregnant mothers may become dehydrated, and thus, have infrequent urination. They may also lose weight ??? not a good thing during pregnancy. Other symptoms include faster heartrate and mental confusion.
Extreme morning sickness can make life almost unbearable for the pregnant mother, but there isn’t much she can do about it, is there? Medication is a tricky issue during pregnancy, due to the possible risks imposed on the unborn child.
That may have been the case several years ago, but no longer. ZOFRAN is a relatively new anti-nausea medication that has been found safe for mother and child during pregnancy. Its use offers a ray of hope for women undergoing morning sickness symptoms that keep them from enjoying the miracle of a child growing inside them.
The active ingredient in ZOFRAN is ondansetron. The drug works to block chemicals in the brain that bring on feelings of nausea. Pregnant women on the drug have been able to eat and drink and lead a more normal life while on the medication, something that can be hard to achieve during extreme morning sickness.