NB: this page mentions specific foods and drinks which may be triggering for some HG sufferers. This information is available as a PDF for download here. 

Some of the tips and suggestions below may help at various points during your pregnancy - but if you are not managing to eat and drink enough to stay hydrated or maintain your weight then you should seek medical help. Some of these strategies may help in conjunction with anti-sickness medication or as symptoms improve.

Staying Hydrated & Drinking

Aim to drink 100-200ml every hour, while you are awake. If you find the smell of tap water difficult, try bottled water or using a filter. Try having water in different ways:

• Cold water (freeze a half bottle of water and top up the bottle with cooled water).
• Tepid water (sips throughout the day)
• Ice cubes
• Holding water/drinks in your mouth.
• Continually sipping tiny amounts of liquid through a straw

Flavoured drinks can also be easier to keep down, such as:

• Weak tea / fruit tea
• Lemonade / fizzy drinks
• Milk / milkshakes
• Orange squash
• Apple juice / lime juice
• Hot chocolate

Some foods have higher water content and can help you stay hydrated:

• Fruits (oranges, apples, grapes, melon), including tinned fruit
• Jelly / Ice cream / ice lollies
• Ice cold cherries / frozen grapefruit segments
• Soups
• Puddings / yoghurts

If you can’t hold down any fluids for more than 24 hours, ask your GP or midwife to assess you or go directly to A&E for rehydration by IV (intravenous) fluids.

Food & Nutrition

Start by eating foods that you are most drawn to in order to keep your energy up and prevent weight loss: aim for 100-200 calories every hour you are awake, rather than specific meals at certain times. Eat little and often as this is one of the best ways to reduce / prevent the nausea from worsening.  It can also help to have drinks separately. 

The colour, flavour, temperature and texture of food may impact on what you can tolerate. Many women find that they are able to tolerate specific categories of foods, such as salty or sweet foods.

Be careful to follow current guidelines regarding avoiding certain foods which may contain harmful bacteria such as paté, liver, soft cheeses and undercooked eggs.

Do not worry if your diet is not the healthiest or this is a different way to how you normally eat. It is more important that you eat than what you eat. 

General tips 

Nausea-free times are important to increase your intake of food/fluids. To
make the most of this opportunity:

• Keep a diary to become aware of nausea-free times.
• Eat if you feel hungry before it turns into nausea. Nibble of your favourite food (little and often) and stop eating as soon as your stomach feels satisfied.
• Have food prepared (sandwiches / ready meals / frozen batch cooked
  meals).
• Keep your cupboard stocked with easy snacks and meals
• Take your folic acid/iron supplements later in the day or before bed if your symptoms are
  worse in the morning.

Getting help from a dietitian

A Dietitian is a health professional who has a degree specialising in food and nutrition, which includes clinical training in a hospital and a community setting. Dietitians practicing in Ireland are registered with CORU, the regulatory body for healthcare professionals. A Dietitian can give you advice about eating and drinking while suffering from HG.

Some maternity hospitals have Dietitians available for you to talk to, however they are not employed in all hospitals. If your maternity hospital has a dietitian, ask your midwife or obstetrician to refer you to the dietitian.

If your maternity hospital does not have access to a dietitian, you could make an
appointment with a dietitian in private practice. The Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute
maintain a list of private practice Dietitians, available here. Most health insurance providers will cover some/all of a consultation.

It's important to speak to a dietitian if any of the following applies to you:

• If you had a low body weight before you became pregnant
• If you are pregnant with twins or triplets
• If you have lost more than 5% of your body weight (before pregnancy)
• If you have minimal food intake for 3-5 days
• If you have had an inpatient stay in hospital
• If you are not gaining weight in the 2nd or 3rd trimester
• If you also have diabetes, especially if you are treating your diabetes with insulin (read more about HG and gestational diabetes here).