NVP Counselor
Date: 2004-03-15

Question:
Hi, I am 12 weeks pregnant and expecting twins. I am not vomiting but experience nausea all day. This is preventing me from eating as much and as healthy as I would like to for my twins. How concerned should I be, and also with a multiple birth, can I also expect that my nausea will subside in weeks 12-14?

Answer:
Nobody can tell you precisely how long the NVP will persist. Each pregnancy is different. Usually, the NVP ends after the first trimester -- you are nearly there. If you symptoms persist, please call our NVP Helpline at 1-800-436-8477 (open to callers in Canada and the US). Previous Questions and Answers in this Forum discuss Diclectin (doxylamine succinate and vitamin B6), the treatment used in Canada, and alternatives available outside Canada. A treatment algorithm can also be viewed in the Updates Archives, February 2002.
Treating your NVP sumptoms, should they persist past the first trimester, should allow you to eat more (something that will be more important in the second and third trimesters). Commonly, women with NVP in their first trimester are not able to maintain good nutrition and do not gain much weight. This has not been shown to be a major problem as up to that point the baby/babies take everything they need from their mother. Be sure to discuss these issues with your doctor.