Occasional Morning Sickness:

* Take one B-natal™ as needed. An additional B-natal™ may be taken 8 hours later.

Recurring Morning Sickness:

* Take 1 B-natal™ in the morning; take 2nd B-natal™ 8 hours later.

* Repeat dosing cycle for 3 days; skip 2 days.

* Repeat above 5-day cycle for as long as needed.

Vitamin B6 works best when taken with intervals of rest. We suggest you skip
2 days between each 3-day dosing cycle for maximum benefits.

Never exceed 2 B-natal™ in any 24-hour Period. Consult a physician before starting this or any treatment.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

~ Technical Info Top

Epidemiology

* Nausea affects up to 90 percent of women in early pregnancy

* 1/2 experience vomiting

* 25% require time off work

* 10% need medication

* 1% have vomiting severe enough for hospitalization

* 4 million pregnant women in the US are affected annually

* 80% of women have nausea that lasts all day

Causes of Nausea
While the cause(s) of morning sickness remain unclear, there are three prevalent theories:

Endocrine theory
It has been suggested that elevated levels of progesterone, estrogen and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) precipitate nausea and vomiting. Rises in progesterone relax smooth muscle in the gastrointestinal (GI) system thereby contributing to decreased gastric motility and slowed gastric emptying. HCG has a thyroid stimulating effect that may cause nausea and vomiting.

Metabolic theory
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency has been hypothesized as a trigger of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

Psychosomactic theory
Studies suggest that the prolonged duration of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is associated with social difficulties, especially lack of social support. Increased nausea and vomiting is a also associated with higher levels of depression, although the cause and effect relationship is unclear.

Although the symptoms of nausea and vomiting are more prevalent between 6am and noon, many pregnant patients report nausea and vomiting throughout the day. Because of this, there is a need for something that is convenient and non-sedating.

Pharmacology
While no one knows the exact mechanism of how B6 (also known as pyridoxine) relieves queasiness, it is known to help the body metabolize certain amino acids (proteins) which may somehow reduce nausea. Doctors first used B6 in the 1940s, but the latest research has shown that supplementation with B6 can reduce the symptoms of severe nausea.

Review of literature, studies, history, prescribing habits
Used as an anti-emetic since 1942. Recommended dose as an anti-emetic in pregnancy is 10-25mg three times daily. Evidence from observational studies suggests no evidence of teratogenicity.

Two randomized clinical trials have been published. Vitamin B6 doses of 10-25mg orally every 8 hours were recommended as first line therapy for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP).

In 1991, 59 women completed a randomized, doubl-blind placebo-controlled study of vitamin B6 for the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. At the completion, only 8 of 31 patients in the vitamin B6 group had any vomiting, compared with 15 of 28 patients in the placebo group. (Sahakian V, Rouse D, Sipes S, Rose N, Niebyl J. Vitamin B6 is effective therapy for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Obstet Gynecol 1991; 78:33-6.)

In 1995, 342 women who were 17 weeks or less of gestation were randomized to receive either oral pyridoxine hydrochloride, 30mg per day or placebo. Investigators found a significant decrease in the baseline nausea scores in the pyridoxine compared to the placebo group. While not statistically significant, there was also a greater reduction in the mean number of vomiting episodes. (Vutyavanich T, Supreeya W, Rung-aroon R. Pyridoxine for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1995: 173:881-4.)

The results of the above randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled studies indicate that vitamin B6 should be used as first line treatment for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.

Indications and usage
Recommended dose as an anti-emetic in pregnancy is 10-25mg three times daily.

Comments
Pregnancy category A. The available evidence does not suggest a teratogenic risk.

Benefits of nausea

This sounds like an oxy–moron, but if you think about how nature works then it makes more sense. Some scientists believe that Mother Nature gives us morning sickness to keep us from eating the things that our body should not have at that particular time. It’s interesting that some women will have an aversion to meat while others have an aversion to certain vegetables, or spices, or dairy products, etc...

Evolutionary biologist, Margie Profet, proposes that morning sickness may protect the fetus against the development of anomalies during the first trimester of gestation, when the fetus is most vulnerable to teratogens contained in the maternal diet. Based on the notion that pungent odors and bitter tastes are emblematic of dietary toxins, Profet’s hypothesis is that morning sickness causes the mother to have strong aversions to these cues, thereby limiting fetal exposure to such potentially harmful compounds. A provocative piece of evidence in support of Profet’s hypothesis arises from the fact that potatoes contain certain compounds (solanine and chaconine) that supposedly have the capacity to induce neural tube defects and that Ireland, a country where potatoes are a dietary staple, has the highest rate of neural tube defects in the world.

We, in western cultures, are not as in tune with our bodies/psyche as those in other cultures and so believe that anything that happens to us is random rather than natural. The adage, ‘eat when you’re hungry, rest when you’re tired’ sounds like an over–simplification, but it’s the best, natural advice that everyone should heed. The same goes for the cravings pregnant women experience. Your body is telling you what it needs. Within each of us is all the personal information we need…all we have to do is listen.

The landmark study of D. Eisenberg et al demonstrated the widespread interest and growing use of alternative therapies. Physicians and patients alike may turn to complementary therapies to gain therapeutic benefits with hopes or beliefs of avoiding toxicities. Others may take this route because of a philosophical preference for natural over synthetic remedies.

~ FAQ's Top

1. What is a TheraPop?
TheraPops are a unique way to deliver therapeutic relief in a more comforting way than traditional pills or injections. B-Natal is one such TheraPop designed for soothing morning sickness.
 

2. What is vitamin B6?
Vitamin B6, also known as Pyrodoxine. It is an extemely important vitamin involved in the formation of body proteins and structural compounds, chemical transmitters, red blood cells and prostiglandins. Pyrodoxine is also critical in maintaining hormonal balance.
 

3. Why do I need vitamin B6?
Vitamin B6 plays a vital role in the multiplication of all cells and is therefore of critical importance to a healthy pregnancy. B6 is also vital to your fetus’ developing brain and nervous system. It has also been used since the 1940s to ease morning sickness. Studies suggest that the vitamin may relieve nausea or vomiting for some women during pregnancy, though no one knows for sure how it works.
 

4. Why am I only allowed a certain number of TheraPops per day?
While B6, the active ingredient in B-Natal, is a vitamin, your body should only have a certain amount per day. We recommend that you not exceed 75 mg per day. With your prenatal vitamin and 2 B-Natal a day, you are still under the 75 mg limit.
 

5. I feel so sick everyday and need relief. Do I have to skip days?
The scientific studies have shown that the vitamin B6 therapy works best when taken with intervals of rest, and we have found this to be true. Everyone is different, however, so B-natal can be safely used everyday.
 

6. Can I use TheraPops throughout my pregnancy?
Yes, as long as your doctor says it’s okay.
 

7. How fast will I get relief from TheraPops?
That depends on the person. Some women will feel relief immediately, while others may need to use them a few times

~ Morning Sickness Tips Top

* Eat frequent small meals

* Snack on soda crackers

* Avoid strong odors

* Take a prescription anti-emetic

* Eliminate iron supplements from the diet

* Eliminate high-fat foods from the diet

* Recumbant resting whenever tired or nauseous

* Drink herbal teas

* Psychological counseling

* Take a vitamin B6 supplement

Morning sickness is a universally experienced aspect of pregnancy,
having no historical or cultural bounds.

* At least 66-80% of women experience some nausea, and 50% emesis (severe nausea and vomiting) in the first trimester.

* Nausea and vomiting typically lasts 35 days.

* 80% of women have nausea that lasts all day.

* Nausea and vomiting typically begin during the 4th to 8th week of gestation and last through the 14th to the 16th week.

* 50% of women feel relief by the 14th week and 90% by week 22.

* Incidence of nausea and vomiting tends to be inversely associated with the woman’s age.

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