Motion Sickness During Pregnancy: What Are Your Options for Relief?

Is Dramamine® safe during pregnancy? The ingredients in Dramamine® motion sickness products are typically low risk for pregnant people. Everyone’s personal health risks are different, however, so talk with your OB-GYN or other health care provider before taking Dramamine® or any over-the-counter motion sickness products, even if you’ve taken the same thing before. 

Since hormone changes and other bodily shifts during pregnancy can make you more sensitive to motion sickness, it’s a good idea to have that talk with your doctor before going on any trips. For motion sickness relief, your provider can help you decide which main ingredient (dimenhydrinate, meclizine, or ginger) makes the most sense for your well-being.

Here’s what to consider before your next trip.

Motion Sickness vs. Morning Sickness

First, an important distinction: Dramamine® is made to help prevent and treat the nausea, dizziness, and vomiting of motion sickness. It is not labeled for morning sickness, the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy that affects many people in early pregnancy.

If you’re pregnant and experiencing morning sickness, talk to your doctor about the steps you can take for safe relief.

If you’re pregnant and noticing queasiness only when riding in cars, buses, trains, planes, or on boats, read on.

Understanding Your Options

Not all motion sickness remedies work the same way. Here’s how the three main types compare:

1. Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine® Original Formula)

Dimenhydrinate is an antihistamine that calms the signals between your inner ear and brain. Clinical guidance from the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) lists antihistamines, including dimenhydrinate, among the options health care providers may choose to use for nausea in pregnancy. Be aware though, this ingredient can cause drowsiness, dry mouth, and constipation. 

2. Meclizine (Dramamine® Less Drowsy)

Meclizine is also an antihistamine, but it’s formulated to be less drowsy. According to MotherToBaby, a service of the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists, one large study¹ of more than 16,000 pregnancies with first-trimester meclizine exposure found no increased chance of preterm birth or low birth weight, so it is generally considered safe as well. Still, let your doctor decide what would be best for you.

3. Ginger-Based Options

Ginger has long been used to settle the stomach when nausea hits. Keep in mind that ginger supplements are regulated differently than OTC medicines. Because doses vary between products, check with your provider before adding one to your routine. Advanced Herbals® by the Makers of Dramamine® offers ginger-based options for those who prefer a drug-free approach to calming the nausea from motion sickness.*

How Timing Matters by Trimester

Your provider will consider where you are in pregnancy when weighing the use of any medication or supplement, including for motion sickness.

• First trimester: This is when your baby’s major organs are forming, so many providers are especially cautious about using any medication. Discuss even occasional use before you take it.
• Second trimester: Many people find nausea from morning sickness eases and travel feels more comfortable as well, so it’s often a popular window for trips. At this stage your provider may allow you to take a medication or supplement that they didn’t approve during your first trimester. 
• Third trimester: Confirm any remedy with your provider rather than assuming what worked before is still the best fit. Since some medicines cross into the placenta during this trimester, your provider may steer you toward a different option as your due date approaches.

In any stage of pregnancy, do not take more than the dose recommended by your doctor.

Drug-Free Ways to Ease Travel Nausea

ACOG considers dimenhydrinate a second-line treatment for nausea, which means you may be told to try non-drug options (like ginger or motion sickness wristbands) first. Whatever you and your provider decide, these simple habits can help prevent or relieve motion sickness:

• Sit in the front seat of a car so you have a clear view of the horizon in front of you
• When flying, choose a seat by the wing of the plane where it feels more stable
• Keep your eyes on the horizon instead of your phone or a book
• Eat small, bland snacks like crackers, and avoid traveling on an empty stomach
• Stay hydrated with regular sips of water
• Get fresh air when you can
• Schedule extra stops to stretch and reset

If motion sickness is severe, even when using motion sickness relief methods, call your doctor right away.  

The Good News on Motion Sickness During Pregnancy

Pregnancy doesn’t have to mean giving up travel or the plans you’re excited about. Motion sickness during pregnancy is usually manageable, and the most important step is looping in your provider early. Talk through your options at your next appointment, and you’ll have a plan you can feel confident about before you it’s time to pack a bag.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before taking any medication or supplement during pregnancy.

¹ Kallen B, Mottet I. 2003. Delivery outcome after the use of meclozine in early pregnancy. Eur J Epidemiol. 18:665-669