Coping with Morning Sickness

One of the most common problems pregnant women have is morning sickness or nausea. Morning sickness ranges from a mild upset stomach to excessive vomiting throughout the day. Morning sickness is believed to be caused by hormone changes in the body during pregnancy. Many women experience morning sickness at a certain time of day, not necessarily in the morning. With my first son, I felt sick at five in the afternoon.

There are many tips for managing your morning sickness, and it usually does not last throughout your pregnancy. Most women who suffer from morning sickness experience it in the first trimester and occasionally in the final month of pregnancy.

If you are so ill that you cannot keep down foods or fluids, call the doctor right away. Dehydration is a serious problem when you are pregnant. Some doctors will prescribe medicine to help you cope with severe morning sickness. Try to alleviate your nausea without medications first, as these do cross the placenta to your baby, and there is no way to prove their safety to your developing child.

Try these tips before any medications:

Eat lean meat or cheese before bed because protein takes longer to digest.

Suck peppermint candies or sip a mint tea (if mint tea is not to your taste try a chamomile tea) as mint is shown to relieve nausea.

Try following your cravings to see if they help relieve your nausea.

Certain smells may bother you more now that you are pregnant. Try to avoid scents that bother you when possible. One woman I know said the smell of tomatoes made her ill, and another complained about the smell of peanuts on her husbands breath.

Keep water and crackers or dry cereal on your nightstand so you can eat something right away when you wake up.

Keep hydrated by drinking an 8 ounce glass of water every hour while awake.

Eat small meals more frequently throughout the day rather than two or three big meals. Avoiding getting too full can help.

Ask your doctor or midwife if you should take extra Vitamin B6. Foods that contain this vitamin include whole grains and cereals (Read the label to be sure this is included!), wheat germ, nuts, seeds, legumes and corn. There are also supplements available, which your doctor may prescribe.

Some women use acupressure to relieve nausea. Try this the next time you feel ill: apply firm pressure to the inner forearm about two inches above the wrist crease for a couple of minutes on each arm.

Sources:

Personal experience

Verrilli, George E., M.D., F.A.C.O.G., Anne Marie Mueser, ED.D, While Waiting. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press.

Simkin, Penny, P.T, Janet Whalley, R.N., B.S.N., Ann Kepler, R.N., M.N. Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn-The Complete Guide. Minnetonka, MN: Meadowbrook Press.