Pregnancy › Morning Sickness Treatment

Morning Sickness Treatment in Busan

Nausea and vomiting affect most people in early pregnancy. For many, small changes are enough. For others it becomes severe enough to need medication or IV fluids. Busan OB/GYN clinics and women's hospitals can help, and here's when to seek care.

What's normal

"Morning" sickness can happen at any time of day. It usually starts around weeks 5 to 7, is often worst around weeks 8 to 12, and improves for most people by the second trimester. It isn't a sign anything is wrong with the baby.

Hyperemesis gravidarum

A smaller group develops hyperemesis gravidarum : persistent vomiting that leads to dehydration, weight loss and an inability to keep food or fluids down. This is a medical condition that needs treatment, not something to tough out.

Things that often help at home

• Small, frequent, bland meals. Keep crackers by the bed for before you get up.
• Sip fluids between meals rather than with them.
• Avoid strong smells and greasy or spicy foods.
• Ginger can help some people.
• If your prenatal vitamin makes you queasy, ask about switching to folic acid alone for a while.

Medical treatment

A doctor can prescribe anti-nausea medicines that are considered safe in pregnancy. A common first option combines vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and doxylamine. For dehydration, many Korean clinics and hospitals give IV fluids with vitamins and anti-nausea medication in an outpatient visit. Severe cases may need hospital admission. Don't take over-the-counter medicines without asking your doctor or pharmacist first.

What the visit involves

The doctor asks how often you vomit and whether you can keep fluids down. They check your weight, and may test your urine for ketones and your blood for electrolytes and thyroid function. An ultrasound may be done to confirm the pregnancy and check for twins or molar pregnancy, both of which can make nausea worse.

Cost and insurance

Consultations, tests and treatment for pregnancy nausea are generally partly covered by NHI. Some IV vitamin mixes may be self-pay. You can use the pregnancy and childbirth voucher (1 million won for a singleton pregnancy) toward eligible costs. Ask the clinic what's covered.

Tips for foreigners

• Bring your ARC or passport and a list of any medicines you've tried.
• Many clinics have IV rooms. Call ahead to ask whether you can come in for fluids the same day.
• See the international patients guide .

Related

• Prenatal Care
• Pregnancy Test
• Pregnancy Blood Tests
• Pregnancy services
• Pregnancy Checkup Cost
• International Patients

When to get help sooner

See a doctor the same day, or go to an ER, if you can't keep any fluids down for 24 hours, you urinate very little or your urine is dark, you feel dizzy or faint, you vomit blood, you have severe abdominal pain or fever, or you're losing weight quickly.

Busan clinics and hospitals for pregnancy care

Hospitals marked "Delivers" are on HIRA's list of facilities that can deliver babies. Features are as listed in public directories. Call to confirm before you go.

Morning sickness FAQ