In the midst of all the joyous feelings about your pregnancy, you also may be feeling a bit queasy. Nausea or vomiting is called morning sickness, but it can happen at any time of the day or night. Some women experience an occasional episode, some never have morning sickness at all, and others are sick several times a day for months on end. Usually, the problem goes away after the third month.
What causes morning sickness?
It's currently believed that nausea is related to the "pregnancy" hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin). Your lifestyle also can affect the severity of your morning sickness.
Women who don’t get enough rest seem more prone to attacks.
Women who are under stress also may be more likely to experience nausea and vomiting.
You have a history of motion sickness your are more prone to morning sickness.
How to ease morning sickness
Get out of bed slowly. An abrupt change from laying flat to standing will only increase the feeling of dizziness.
Eat frequent small meals. Taking little meals throughout the day will help keep your blood-sugar levels steady and will keep your stomach filled to minimize that queasy feeling.
Snack on easy to digest foods, such as crackers, whole-wheat toast, a hot baked potato, cooked pasta, cooked rice, or fruit.
Avoid greasy foods, such as butter, margarine, mayonnaise, bacon, gravy, pastries, fried meats, and french fries.
Go easy on spicy foods, especially those cooked with pepper, hot chili peppers, and garlic.
Keep your kitchen well ventilated to exhaust lingering cooking odors. Pregnant women often have an exaggerated sense of smell.
Try eating cold foods. They have less odor and may be easier to swallow.
Drink water or suck on ice to avoid dehydration if you’ve been vomiting. Contact your doctor if you vomit more than twice daily.
Exercise. It will help you relieve the stress that may be contributing to your morning sickness and it also will help you sleep better at night.
Are there any anti-nausea medications?
Many pregnant women find relief with the above tips, however if these morning sickness remedies do not help talk with your provider.
Lots of providers recommend taking vitamin B6. They will recommend the dosage amount needed for you.
Never take more vitamin B6 than your provider recommends. Too much can cause numbness and nerve damage and may not be safe for your developing baby.
If vitamin B6 isn't enough to help with the morning sickness, there are other anti-nausea medications that are safe and effective during pregnancy that your provider may recommend.
