Morning Sickness Nutrition Services

The Morning Sickness Nutrition Services address the specific needs of women in early pregnancy who are plagued with the most common nuisance of pregnancy — nausea and vomiting. This service is a cooperative project involving the Departments of Obstetrics and Nutrition.

The invisible complaint of nausea can be overwhelmingly debilitating — resulting in reduced productivity at work, overall reduced “joie de vie,” and significant life-style changes involving partners and family members. Often not taken seriously in early stages, nausea and vomiting can sometimes become so severe as to require intravenous nutritional invention and extended hospitalizations.

The goal of the Morning Sickness Nutrition Services is to identify the various triggers — smells, motion, noise, and adverse climes — which add insult to the bio-chemical changes that accompany pregnancy. The client and her family are extensively educated and assessed for nutritional status and fluid requirements by a Registered Dietitian (RD) with special expertise in this area. The RD communicates with the referring physician during the time of the assessment and brainstorms additional needs, which may include fluid management in the home. On repeat visits, the weight progress is communicated to all involved parties. Other disciplines — including interpreter services, social work, care coordination, and psychiatry — are involved as needed.

To schedule an appointment, call Tammy Tavares at 617-732-6054.

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