Many women are prone to motion sickness during pregnancy. The symptoms of motion sickness quite resemble morning sickness that pregnant women suffer from. Motion sickness is a common problem when people travel by air, road, railways, or by the sea. Pregnant women often find it difficult to travel due to this reason. In pregnancy, it is a common worry if it is safe to take medications or not. It is important to know whether it is safe to take medication for motion sickness in pregnancy. Read on to find out more.

Is it ok to Take Medicines for Motion Sickness During Pregnancy?

What is Motion Sickness?

The motion sickness is defined by the manifestation of certain disturbances due to the terrestrial, aerial or maritime trip. Indeed, the body of some people does not support this type of displacement or has trouble adapting to it. Having an empty or full stomach, taking alcohol or a heavy meal, tobacco and fatigue also promote motion sickness.

Motion sickness also is known as cinepathy, this disease includes seasickness, nausea, motion sickness, air sickness and spatial adaptation syndrome. Motion sickness is commonly caused by rocking, sloshing, decelerating or accelerating a vehicle. It can also be caused by insufficient ventilation, heat, and odors of any kind.

Possible Symptoms:

The first symptoms of motion sickness are excessive salivation or secretion of saliva, headache, and yawning. The traveler can become pale and start talking little. Then, a heartache and vomits.

Whether you are seasick or sick, the question of medication to combat motion sickness will inevitably arise.

Is it ok to take medicines during motion sickness?

Taking any medications during pregnancy must always be well studied. Taking medication to avoid getting sick during travel pregnancy is possible. Listed below are some precautions for taking medications during motion sickness while pregnant.

• You just have to stick to over-the-counter medications that contain dimenhydrinate like Dramamine or those that contain diphenhydramine like Benadryl.
• By cons, prescription drugs like Scopolamine are strictly prohibited in pregnancy. They are not especially harmful to the baby, but they can cause side effects such as dizziness, tremors, and fatigue that can have other consequences for a pregnant woman.
• Pregnancy specialists also recommend taking Dramamine if you are sick by car, plane or boat. Indeed, this type of medication has been used by pregnant women for a long time and there has never been any problem.
• Having the opinion of a pharmacist is good but the best is always, in case of doubt, to make a phone call to your doctor.Transport sickness is usually a minor condition but can be particularly uncomfortable for those who suffer from it.

Methods to prevent motion sickness in pregnancy

Drug Methods

The drug method is the most common. The chemical drugs are packaged in tablet, suppositories or transdermal patch (eg scopolamine based, on medical prescription).These drugs act on the brain by preventing the onset of motion sickness. They must be taken often 30 minutes to an hour before departure, more for some patches. However, they have side effects such as drowsiness or vision disturbance prohibiting the driving of a vehicle.

In order to avoid transport sickness, alcoholic beverages are also contraindicated. In addition, the consultation of a doctor in case of the heart problem, eye problem, stomach problem, prostate or pregnancy is essential.

Non-Drug Methods

Non-drug methods also help prevent motion sickness. In fact, if you have a more stable position in a vehicle, you will be less exposed to the risk of motion sickness. The most comfortable places are at the wings when traveling by plane, in front of the driver in a car and in the middle of a boat. It is best to tilt your seat and stall your head.

You can also use Dicletin to treat your nausea. However, the drug does not quite have the same mechanism of action as Gravol, but it will still reduce nausea that can cause you to travel by plane and relax at the same time. It is advisable to take the medicine about 4 hours before departure so that it takes effect from takeoff, but also throughout the trip.

Other medications

There are other medications for the treatment like Transderm-V, but this product is not recommended during pregnancy unless the effects of motion sickness are more important than the effects of the medication on your pregnancy and on the fetus.

There are also non-pharmacological ways to treat motion sickness. Among other things, avoid setting objects close (reading) or the landscape that scrolls, avoid taking too much food, dairy products, foods with high salt and strong odors. It is advisable to be slightly elongated and to have your head well supported.

Tips to avoid motion sickness in Pregnancy

• In case of cinepathy, it is advisable, if possible, to temporarily stop the trip and to take the patient out of the car. He can even lie down a little if necessary. When the traveler vomits profusely, he must be given from time to time to drink one to two glasses of water. This prevents the problem of dehydration.
• Refraining from reading, looking down, observing the objects on the outside during travel limits the manifestation of transport sickness. On the other hand, you can contemplate the landscape straight ahead.
• When it comes to diet (diet), eat light meals and avoid alcohol, dairy products, and tobacco.

Antiemetic drugs, that is to say, which prevents vomiting do not prevent motion sickness. They only serve to stop the vomiting already present. In addition, taking these remedies is not systematic. Removal of the causes may be enough to relieve the patient.

Hope this article was of help to you! Please share your comments/queries/tips with us and help us create a world full of Happy, Healthy and Empowered Women!!

References:

https://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-safe-to-take-medication-to-combat-motion-sickness-duri_1245150.bc

Read more:

11 Remedies for Motion Sickness in Children