
Every mother has a unique pregnancy and if you are one of the unlucky ones who experience morning sickness we outline some ways to ease this. As many as eight out of ten women experience nausea in pregnant, with or without vomiting. It is difficult to prevent morning sickness completely, however there are some ways that you can ease your symptoms.
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Eat small meals often
By eating small meals often you ensure that your stomach is never empty. This helps to keep your sugar levels even throughout the day and can combat nausea and morning sickness. Keep bland snacks like plain crackers or biscuits on hand to nibble throughout the day.
2. Eat protein-rich foods
Your growing baby needs food that is high in protein and rich in Vitamin B. (For a complete list of nutrients that we recommend during pregnancy
read our post). Keep foods simple and avoid foods that are rich, acidic, spicy, fatty or fried as these may leave you feeling worse. Foods like Avo and Chicken may help, alternatively try the vitamin b pills. They may help the nausea but may not always help with vomiting. Leafy greens, rich in vitamin K, is also thought to help.
3. Eat cold meals
Often the smells from cooking and warm food can bring on terrible nausea. Remember your sense of smell is heightened during pregnancy so even your favourite smells may lead you queasy. If you are suffering from terrible nausea try eating cold meals until this passes.
4. Eat in bed
Being pregnant can mean that getting out of bed in itself can be a mammoth task. Try have a snack in bed before exerting too much energy, so that you do not get up on an empty stomach. Eat something slowly like dry toast or biscuits before you get out of bed.
5. Keep a morning sickness diary
By tracking your morning sickness and when it peaks and what makes you feel better, you may be able to track patterns. Simple things like eating at the right time intervals can make a massive difference.
6. Drink between meals
Staying hydrated is vital when pregnant. Try fill a water bottle and sip slowly throughout the day. If you find it very hard to keep fluids down then limit the amount of water that you drink during meal times. Sip ice water, water with lemon, barley water or whatever you can manage. You can also try a clear chicken broth to get the nutrients you need while you cannot stomach actual food.
7. Get plenty of rest
Pregnancy is an exhausting time, the stress and tiredness can make your morning sickness even worse. Make sure to get plenty of rest and relaxation when ever you can.
8. Sniff lemons!
This is an old wives tale that works for most. The clean, fresh smell of a lemon may ease the nausea. You can also try adding fresh lemon slices to tea or water.
9. Settle your stomach with ginger
Ginger is commonly used to ease nausea, use in moderation for the best results as Ginger can also lead to heartburn. Ginger comes in a variety of products so choose the one that works best for you. You can make your own ginger tea from the peeled, grated root or buy packaged ginger tea. You can also try ginger biscuits, nuts, syrup, capsules or tablets. Take note of the other ingredients, for example biscuits may contain more sugar than ginger.
10. Take pregnancy multivitamins
Pregnancy vitamins may help reduce morning sickness and nausea, although there is little scientific proof. Sometimes nausea is your body’s way of telling you that you can missing something. If this does not work for you, at least you are still getting the nutrients that you and baby need.
11. Try a complementary therapy
By seeing a qualified therapist in reflexology or aromatherapy, you may cope with your morning sickness. Make sure that the treatment is suitable for pregnant women. Most of the time these therapies work well because it allows you to relax and get some time out. If you find something that works for you, you can also try these methods at home. Acupressure can be effective, you can buy wristbands to apply pressure or press on the acupuncture points on your wrist.
- Use one hand on the inside of your opposite wrist, measuring up three finger widths from the crease between your hand and arm.
- At the point where your third finger is, lift the pressure off until you are just touching the skin and feel lightly for a slight dip. Press into this dip.
- Don’t press too deeply as it will feel bruised. Press this point every time you feel a wave of nausea hitting.
12. Get some fresh air
Often fresh air and stretching your muscles can may you feel better. Try take a walk or even just sit outside on a bench. Some light exercise like a short walk may make you feel better. If movement such as driving in a car makes your sickness worse, make sure to open the window. Try listening to music with frequent pulsations, this may recondition the balance mechanisms in your inner ear easing your nausea.
13. Talk to friends who understand
Ask someone that has been there before. Sometimes an old family secret can work. Sometimes just talking about it may make you feel better. Sympathy and support can help to ease the burden.
14. Don’t worry about a balanced diet
Your body will tell you what you need. Often your cravings will be your body’s way of telling you what nutrients are depleted. You can also focus on eating a balanced diet later on in your pregnancy. Don’t force yourself to eat anything as this usually makes your nausea even worse.
15. Try some peppermint tea
Try sipping peppermint or spearmint tea, sugar-free sweets or chewing gum may also help. If using the essential oil, the strong smell may not suit everyone. Other herbal remedies include Lemon tea, Elm lozenges or small amounts of camomile tea. The effects can be short-lived so you may have to rotate and try the remedies in combinations.
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