Most moms-to-be experience at least some episodes of nausea, vomiting and dry heaves. In fact, up to 80% of pregnant women experience morning sickness during their first few months of pregnancy.
While there is nothing you can do to prevent morning sickness, there are some tips for helping to ease morning sickness and make the early stages of pregnancy more manageable.
1. Avoid tastes and smells that trigger nausea
Scented candles, perfumes, coffee, gasoline, odors from foods being cooked and any other strong smells may trigger morning sickness.
2. Keep small snacks with you at all times
Keep crackers next to your bed, in the car and at your desk. Snacking throughout the day can help ward off morning sickness.
3. Eat frequent small meals
Eating a 5 or 6 small meals per day can help to stabilize blood sugar and keep your tummy feeling full, which can curb nausea.
4. Suck on or smell a lemon.
Sucking on lemon drop candies like Preggie Pops or sniffing a lemon can help reduce nausea.
5. Take your prenatal vitamin with the last meal
Prenatal vitamins can often trigger nausea so be sure to take them with food to help reduce morning sickness.
6. Take antacids.
With your doctor’s permission, take a few Tums right after you wake up and right before you go to bed. Doing so can help to help to neutralize nausea.
7. Chew on ginger
Chewing on crystallized ginger or candied ginger can help reduce nausea. Ginger has been used for centuries to help curb nausea.
8. Try peppermint.
Drinking a cup of peppermint tea or sucking on peppermint candy may soothe an upset stomach and curb morning sickness.
9. Consider acupuncture
Many pregnant women find that wearing Sea-Bands bracelets relieves nausea with no negative side effects. Sea-Bands put pressure on a specific pressure point in the wrist that can help curb nausea.
10. Eat bland foods
Plain foods are less likely to trigger nausea and cause heartburn. Fruits and complex carbohydrates are good choices for sensitive stomachs.
While morning sickness isn’t the best part of pregnancy, it’s a good indicator that your pregnancy is progressing well. High levels of pregnancy hormones can cause nausea and are also suggestive of a securely implanted embryo. Fortunately, by the 3rd month of pregnancy, morning sickness usually passes and you can get back to enjoying your pregnancy, without the nausea.
