How to Prepare for a Video Visit About Pregnancy Nausea (Morning Sickness) - Triage

Audience: pediatric

Pregnancy nausea, often called morning sickness, is common during early pregnancy and usually causes mild to moderate discomfort. This guide helps you prepare for a video visit with a healthcare provider to discuss symptoms and get advice. During the visit, you can share details about nausea, vomiting, eating habits, and any other symptoms. Preparing ahead helps the provider understand your situation and suggest ways to ease discomfort. Remember, while telemedicine can offer helpful guidance, it cannot replace in-person care when symptoms are severe or worsening. If you notice serious signs like dehydration, inability to keep fluids down, or severe pain, seek urgent medical attention. This guide also explains what telemedicine can and cannot do, how to get ready for your video visit, and what to expect afterward. Always keep emergency contacts handy and follow your provider’s advice for the best care.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Unable to keep any fluids down for more than 24 hours — seek urgent medical care to prevent dehydration.
• Severe abdominal pain or cramping that does not go away — get immediate medical attention.
• Signs of dehydration such as dizziness, very dark urine, dry mouth, or feeling very weak — contact healthcare provider promptly.

What telemedicine can do

• Discussing mild to moderate nausea and vomiting symptoms.
• Providing advice on diet and lifestyle changes to ease nausea.
• Answering questions about pregnancy nausea and when to seek help.
• Determining if symptoms require in-person evaluation.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Performing physical examinations or diagnostic tests.
• Treating severe dehydration or complications.
• Managing severe or worsening symptoms that need urgent care.
• Providing emergency medical interventions.

What Is Pregnancy Nausea (Morning Sickness)?

Pregnancy nausea, often called morning sickness, usually happens in the first few months of pregnancy. It can cause feelings of nausea (feeling like you might vomit) and sometimes vomiting. These symptoms often come and go and may be worse in the morning but can happen any time of day. Most people feel better by the second trimester. While uncomfortable, morning sickness is usually not harmful to the baby or the person who is pregnant.

How Telemedicine Can Help

A video visit lets you talk with a healthcare provider from home or another convenient place. During the visit, you can describe your symptoms, ask questions, and get advice on how to manage nausea. The provider may suggest lifestyle changes, dietary tips, or safe remedies to try. Telemedicine can help decide if your symptoms are mild or if you need to see a provider in person for further care.

What Telemedicine Cannot Do

Telemedicine cannot perform physical exams, blood tests, or ultrasound scans. It cannot treat severe dehydration or complications that need urgent care. If your symptoms are very severe, such as constant vomiting, signs of dehydration, or severe abdominal pain, you will need to get in-person medical attention promptly.

Preparing for Your Video Visit

To get the most from your video visit:

After Your Video Visit

After your visit, follow the advice given by your healthcare provider. This may include:

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Write down details about your nausea and vomiting, including timing and severity.
• List all medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
• Find a quiet, private space with good lighting and internet connection for the video visit.
• Have a glass of water nearby to stay hydrated during the visit.
• Prepare any questions or concerns you want to discuss with the provider.
• Ensure your device’s camera and microphone are working properly before the visit.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the healthcare provider’s advice on diet and lifestyle changes.
• Use any recommended remedies or medications as directed.
• Monitor your symptoms and note any changes.
• Schedule follow-up appointments if advised.
• Seek immediate care if red flag symptoms appear or worsen.

FAQs

What causes morning sickness during pregnancy?

Morning sickness is thought to be caused by hormonal changes during early pregnancy, especially increased levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and estrogen. These changes affect the digestive system and can cause nausea and vomiting.

Is morning sickness harmful to my baby?

In most cases, morning sickness is not harmful to the baby. It is a common part of early pregnancy. However, severe nausea and vomiting that leads to dehydration can be harmful and needs medical attention.

What can I do to feel better during morning sickness?

Eating small, frequent meals, avoiding strong smells, staying hydrated, and resting can help. Some people find ginger or vitamin B6 supplements helpful, but you should discuss any remedies with your healthcare provider first.

When should I seek emergency care?

Seek emergency care if you cannot keep any fluids down for more than 24 hours, have severe abdominal pain, or show signs of dehydration such as dizziness, very dark urine, or extreme weakness.

Can I take medication for morning sickness during pregnancy?

Some medications may be safe, but you should only take medicines recommended or prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not take over-the-counter remedies without medical advice.

Sources

1. Morning Sickness — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy — Mayo Clinic.
3. Pregnancy and Nausea — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
4. Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: A Review — National Library of Medicine.

This telemedicine guidance is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person medical care. If you have severe symptoms or emergencies, please seek immediate medical attention.