Morning sickness is often the toughest part of pregnancy during the first trimester. Whether you are suffering from nausea, vomiting, or both, there are some things you can try to manage your morning sickness and get some relief. One reliable tip is to take ginger or vitamin B6. Another tip is to change your eating habits. For example, have several smaller meals throughout the day instead of eating three large meals. If you experience severe morning sickness—persisting nausea and vomiting -, ask your doctor for a nausea medication.
What causes morning sickness?
Not everybody’s morning sickness is exactly the same, but there are many common patterns. Most babies are very sensitive to fluctuations in their mother’s body. If the amount of food she has eaten, how quickly she eats it and the number of calories she takes in changes suddenly or irregularly, this may be a cause of nausea. Morning sickness is also caused by changes in hormone levels during pregnancy.
What are the symptoms of morning sickness?
- Consistent nausea (not just a few days of vomiting) and vomiting throughout the day are usually the most memorable part of morning sickness. Other symptoms include:
- Forgetfulness; Indigestion; Fatigue; Weakness; Dizziness; Headache; Tiredness; Jitteriness or nervousness (which may be worse in the morning); Discomfort when you lie on your back with your stomach facing up, or when you sit with your stomach facing up or down.
- Morning sickness may be so severe that it interferes with normal daily activities. If you are in the later stages of pregnancy, it may also affect your appetite. Morning sickness can make you feel miserable and completely out of sorts.
How long will morning sickness last?
Morning sickness should end after the first trimester or about 32 weeks into your pregnancy; however, some women experience nausea and vomiting well past the second trimester.
What can I do about morning sickness?
The best way to get relief from morning sickness is to get rid of all that food in one fell swoop. Many women report that a “baby-make-up” diet achieves this very easily. This diet consists of very bland and small meals, with nothing to drink except water or warm salt-water. This type of diet should be done only under the supervision of your doctor because you may not be getting the nutrients you need to remain healthy during pregnancy. Your doctor will also monitor how much weight you lose during this “baby-make-up” diet.
What home remedies can relieve morning sickness?
If you’re interested in home remedies, here are some suggestions:
- Ginger: Try a little ginger at the beginning of each meal. Ginger has been shown to help reduce nausea associated with morning sickness as well as motion sickness in pregnant women and nonpregnant adults, according to a recent study in Women’s Health Issues.
- Peppermint: Many women report that peppermint capsules ease nausea; however, more research needs to be done before a conclusion can be reached.
- Vitamin B6: Although there is no scientific evidence to support the use of B6, many women report that taking a daily supplement helps them keep food down during pregnancy. There are several available formulations on the market. Check with your doctor before you start taking this supplement.
- Fiber: Some studies have found that eating lots of fiber (from fruits and vegetables) helps prevent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. That said, most studies indicate that the amount is not enough to make a difference in an individual’s overall diet.