How Effective is B6 for Morning Sickness?

Taking vitamin B6 for morning sickness has proven to be very effective for many pregnant women. In some cases, eating foods rich in B6 is enough to stop nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Women with severe nausea that is unresponsive to a diet rich in B6 may have to resort to supplements. Most prenatal vitamins contain varying amounts of B6, but usually not quite enough to control nausea. Scientists have been unable to determine exactly why vitamin B6 is effective, but women have been using this remedy successfully for years to treat their morning sickness.

Women who wish to avoid taking supplements of B6 for morning sickness can make an effort to consume bananas, avocados, chicken, wheat bran, turkey, peanuts, and fortified breakfast cereals. These foods are all rich in B6, and may help prevent nausea. If supplements are necessary, most doctors recommend taking 75 mg of B6 daily, split up into three doses of 25 mg. All pregnancies are different, and the recommended amount of B6 may vary from person to person. Women who are interested in taking the supplements to control morning sickness should consult with their doctors to determine the proper dosage.

Vitamin B6 not only aids in controlling morning sickness, but is also very important to the growth of the fetus. During pregnancy, the development of the baby's brain and nervous system is dependent on proper amounts of B6. This vitamin also helps the baby to develop red blood cells. Despite the many benefits of vitamin B6, too much is not a good thing. Studies show that some infants born to women who overdosed on B6 during their pregnancies were more likely to have seizures.

In addition to B6 for morning sickness, there are some other remedies to help control nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Some women are able to successfully control their nausea by eating saltines or ginger, and drinking lots of water. An increase in the amount of folic acid in the diet may also be beneficial. Doctors also advise trying to pinpoint the things that typically set off bouts of morning sickness, and making an effort to avoid those triggers.

Most women only have to deal with morning sickness during the first trimester of pregnancy, but in some rare cases it extends beyond that. Morning sickness can become so severe for some women that it interferes with their day to day lives and causes them to lose massive amounts of weight. A pregnant woman who is experiencing very severe morning sickness may have to ask her doctor for prescription medication.