Congratulations! The early stage of pregnancy is exciting, but may cause morning sickness. Some women never experience it, whereas others can be sidelined by it all day and for many weeks.
Whether you’re battling with nausea every day or just occasionally, here are some tips to help reduce morning sickness symptoms:
- Get plenty of rest. This seems obvious but sometimes we forget to give ourselves the rest we need. If you are having trouble sleeping consider a maternity body pillow that will properly help support your back and stomach.
- Get up slowly. Avoid moving around straight after eating and don’t be in a hurry to get out of bed when you wake up. Take your time!
- Have smaller food portions. Always have some kind of food in your stomach, as this will lower your chances of experiencing nausea. If your stomach is empty, the acids have nothing to work on, except for the stomach lining, resulting in worsening nausea.
- Avoid computer monitor flicker. The rapid, almost unnoticeable flickering of the computer monitor could cause morning sickness.
- Be physically active. You may find it hard to move around but being physically active has been found to improve symptoms in many people.
- Drink plenty of fluids. You may not feel like consuming your recommended eight glasses of water per day, especially if your stomach seems not to let you. However, the more dehydrated you are, the more nauseated you will become. If drinking water is hard, try adding apple cider vinegar and honey. Sucking ice cubes made from water or fruit juice is also an effective method. The colder the drink, the easier it will be to consume.
- Wear loose and comfortable clothing. Studies have found that pregnant mothers with nausea who switched from tight to loose-fitting clothing reported either reduced symptoms or no symptoms at all.
- Consider children’s vitamins. Substitute regular pre-natal vitamins for children’s vitamins -they are usually easier to digest.
- Sniff fresh scents. Morning sickness is very much smell-associated. Pregnant mother becomes more sensitive to odors. According to self-reports, the most effective scents to help alleviate morning sickness are lemon extract and fresh rosemary.
- Get help for acid reflux. Sometimes, the nausea and vomiting may be due to acid reflux. Taking antacid medication before going to bed may help reduce stomach acid levels, and the subsequent morning vomiting. Check with your doctor before buying any medication during pregnancy.
- Take advice on iron pills or iron-containing multivitamins. Some pregnant women may become nauseous because of the iron supplements they have been told to take. Talk to your doctor and ask him/her to recommend a slower-release form, or even possible a lower dosage.
- Try acupressure. Applying pressure on specific points on the body to control symptoms has been shown to help some women with morning sickness. In this case, it involves wearing a special band on your forearm.
- Avoid certain foods. Avoiding fatty and/or spicy food and caffeine can help eliminate nausea. For a list of some tasty, easy recipes that will help settle your stomach while providing you with important nutrients and calories click here.
Sources:
Healthline, 14 Recipes to Ease Morning Sickness, Julie Lancaster, http://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/morning-sickness-recipes
Medical News Today, Tips To Minimize Morning Sickness, Last updated: