10 Practical Tips for Dealing with Morning Sickness

I love being pregnant! And I feel grateful that I experienced pregnancy twice. But undoubtedly, dealing with morning sickness was the absolute hardest part of my pregnancy.

Although the  experience of morning sickness varies per mom, it typically starts in the sixth week of pregnancy and disappears around the twelfth week. It can also last all day – which is what happened to me. Back then, all I wanted to do was to lie in bed and sleep. I desperately wanted to eat but would immediately get sick after a meal.

So how did I survive morning sickness? Here, I share some of the tips that were the most helpful in my experience:

Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
Skipping meals – and an empty stomach – can actually make morning sickness worse. Take smaller but more frequent meals, which are easier to digest and less likely to trigger queasiness and heartburn. I always had whole-grain crackers or nuts to munch on for snacks.

Stay hydrated
It may be hard to consume eight glasses of water a day when you feel queasy, but you need the fluids, especially during pregnancy. Dehydration can also aggravate the nausea, and you lose body fluid when you throw up. Tip: suck on ice cubes made from water or fruit juice.  

Use aromatherapy
Strong odors can make you feel nauseous. If you can’t escape a strong smell, place a cotton ball infused with aromatherapy oil, like mint, lemon, or orange and sniff for relief.

Get plenty of sleep
Morning sickness can leave you feeling very weak. Your body needs the extra rest! Luckily, I worked from home during my second pregnancy and had a more flexible sleep schedule. If you work in an office setting, even just a short 20-minute power nap at your desk or in your favorite chair can work wonders for your mental and physical well-being. 

Take your prenatal vitamins and milk before bedtime
In my experience, I felt less queasy at night, so it was the best time for me to take my vitamins and glass of milk to avoid throwing it up. Try taking your vitamins and milk before bedtime, or the time of the day when you feel the least nauseous. 

Try lemon 
Many women find the smell and taste of lemons comforting. The smell of a cut lemon may help to ease your nausea. You can also add lemon slices to iced tea or sparkling water and take sips when you can. If you can’t always have fresh lemons, carry with you some lemon-flavored candy. 

Include anti-nausea foods in your diet
A pregnancy diet that is high in protein and complex carbohydrates is not only good for your baby but can also help you keep nausea at bay. Simple, high-protein foods such as nuts and eggs were easier for me to tolerate.

Eat at least three whole fruits and vegetables per day, and avoid fatty and spicy foods and caffeine, which increases the chance of the release of stomach acid.

Talk to your doctor about medicines 
Thankfully, my all-day sickness was tolerable and subsided in my second trimester. However, if your morning sickness is severe, or if you think you're dealing with a more extreme form of morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum), talk to your doctor about taking an FDA-approved prescription drug.

Listen to your body
Morning sickness remedies differ for each individual. What works for one woman may end up having the opposite effect on another. Listen to your body, and keep track of any foods, smells, or liquids that trigger vomiting. 

Talk to friends who understand
Sometimes it helps just to share how you're feeling with close friends or family who can offer sympathy and support. I am very grateful that I had an understanding husband and in-laws, and groups of mommy friends who went through morning sickness and gave me advice and tips.

Look at the bright side 
The good news is morning sickness, although unpleasant, has no health risk for the baby and is a regular part of pregnancy. Some studies also say that morning sickness plays a role in early placental development, and may help lower risk of miscarriage.

And remember this mantra each time you vomit: "This too will pass." After going through a lot, your efforts will be rewarded once you see your bundle of joy. It will all be worth it once your baby is in your arms!
 

Reference

About The Writer

Lally Gonzales

Lally Gonzales is a mother of two adorable kids and a wife to a very loving husband. She graduated from Rizal Technological University with Bachelor Degree in Education major in Computer in 2001. She worked at Golden Pizza Inc. for 15 years as cashier, restaurant finance staff, and purchasing manager. 
In March 2015, she became a full-time mom and has been working from home for 5 years. She handles the Facebook page of a local brand as an online community manager. She is also a very passionate mommy blogger, she shares her life and experiences as a mom on her website www.lallysreflections.com. You can follow her at @lallysreflections.

The views and opinions expressed by the writer are his/her own, and does not state or reflect those of Wyeth Nutrition and its principals.