Pregnancy is a truly amazing experience. I mean, look at what our bodies can do! On the flip side, pregnancy can also be challenging and comes with its own set of discomforts. This includes morning sickness. I don’t know about you, but I genuinely thought morning sickness was just that- sickness in the morning only. Turns out that is not the case for a lot of women. However, that does not mean you have to grin and bear it either. We have some tips that may help quell the nausea you are experiencing.
What causes Morning Sickness?
More than 50% of women experience morning sickness during their pregnancy. The good news here is that medical professionals believe this is a good sign and can point to signs that the placenta is developing well. Hormones are one culprit causing the sickness, as your body is adjusting to the new rise in your hormone levels. Some multivitamins can also enhance nausea from the iron that is present in the supplements.
Morning Sickness Remedies
Ginger
Ginger is an excellent natural remedy to curb morning sickness. You can try ginger tea, ginger ale, or ginger candies to take on the go. Fresh ginger can even be added to smoothies and dressings!
Lemon
Surprisingly, fighting a sour stomach with something sour works! Try lemon water, lemon candies, or even just sniffing lemons can help ease your queasiness.
Bland Foods
Some nausea in the morning can be caused by a lack of nourishment overnight. Eating something bland before you even crawl out of bed can help. Saltine crackers are a great choice to keep by your bedside as an easy snack first thing in the morning. Other options for bland foods include plain toast or plain cereal.
Mints
Peppermints are another great nausea remedy, and as an added bonus it can help with a not-so-fresh mouth after getting sick. Keep some in your purse for on-the-go relief!
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 has been proven to help curb nausea for some, and can be found in foods such as beef, non-citrus fruits, and fish. You can also try 25 mg of vitamin B6 supplements you can take in addition to your prenatal vitamins. Your healthcare provider will be able to provide insight into good options for you.
Popsicles
Popsicles are a great way to provide hydration, and are easy on the tummy. Not to mention they are delicious!
Small Frequent Meals and Snacks
Having an empty stomach can make nausea worse. As hard as it may be to eat at times, eating small frequent meals and snacks throughout the day can make a difference by keeping your blood sugar levels on an even keel.
Skip Certain Foods
You may find that certain foods trigger your nausea. Steer clear of greasy foods, spicy foods, gas producing foods, and fatty foods. Studies have shown that diets high in protein and complex carbohydrates can combat queasiness. Sometimes though, it really comes down to what you can keep down that works best for you. Some days popsicles and crackers are all that you can stomach- and that’s okay. There will be plenty of time to eat well throughout the rest of your pregnancy!
Drink Up!
Increase the amount of fluids you’re drinking to ten 8 ounce glasses per day to avoid dehydration from vomiting. In the short term, getting enough fluids is more important than getting enough solids, especially since you could be losing fluids throughout the day from vomiting. You can drink some of your vitamins and minerals via smoothies, soups, and juices. Electrolyte drinks can be super beneficial also to replenish you, especially if you are experiencing excessive vomiting. Also foods with a higher water content, such as watermelon, can be favorable if liquids alone tend to make your nausea worse.
Over The Counter Medications
Over the counter medications such as Unisom can greatly reduce your morning sickness from the B6 it provides. Other great options are Sea Sickness bands and Motion Sickness patches.
When to Seek Help From Your Provider
There are a few concerning symptoms to watch out for, and if your morning sickness reaches these levels then reach out to your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor would be able to assist you with prescribed medications to help. Constant vomiting can also lead to severe dehydration, which needs to be treated by your provider. The following are symptoms to watch out for:
- The inability to keep down any food or liquids for more than 12 hours
- Keep an eye out for any signs of dehydration, including infrequent urination, dark urine, or dizziness upon standing
- Vomiting multiple times per day, especially if there’s blood in the vomit
- Unusual abdominal or pelvic pain or cramping
- Weight loss of more than five pounds
Morning sickness is rough, but thankfully for most women it does not last throughout your entire pregnancy. Hang in there mama- you’ve got this!