How do I get rid of excess saliva during pregnancy?

Frequently confused with vomiting, this condition is caused by excessive secretion of the salivary glands in the mouth. It is quite annoying and difficult to treat, but it tends to subside in the latter half of pregnancy. Snacks of crackers, frequent small meals, mints, and chewing gum can be helpful.

Some women develop so much excess saliva during pregnancy that they look like they belong in a baseball dugout rather than in a delivery room. In fact, they need to spit so much that they have to carry a spit cup around with them (they're unable to swallow it because they produce so much and because it can also trigger nausea). Because these women lose so much bicarbonate in their saliva, it actually disrupts their acid-base balance. It seems that chewing gum, peppermint, and hard candy can help, as does a transdermal scopolamine patch.