Your Baby Today: Pregnancy: Expert Q&A: OB/GYN: Excessive Salivation

Roy Pitkin, M.D., is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology and is the former chair of the ob/gyn department at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine. He is a frequent advisor to national health agencies on women's health issues and has received numerous international honors for this work.

Q: I'm 7 weeks pregnant and producing excess saliva, which is only adding to my nausea. Why is this happening and will it continue throughout my pregnancy?

A: Occasionally, women experience excessive salivation (the medical term is ptyalism) during early pregnancy. The cause is unknown and, while bothersome, there is no adverse effect on pregnancy and the condition generally subsides after the first trimester. As you've noticed, the excess saliva can seem to aggravate the nausea. Taking steps to help to alleviate the nausea should help. Try munching on crackers before getting out of bed, eating every two hours, and having a high-protein snack before bedtime.