Pregnancy is the happiest moment in every woman’s life. The thought of bringing life to existence is sure to leave you happy and thrilled.
But along with the happiness and butterflies, you go through a hard phase both physically and mentally. The pregnancy hormone, along with the changes in your body, can leave you exhausted at times.
One infamous symptom that is very common among pregnant women is morning sickness.
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What is Morning Sickness?
Morning sickness is nausea that you feel during the first trimester of your pregnancy.
It is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms.
It peaks during 8th to 10th week and subsides typically by the time you are 16 weeks pregnant (there’s hope!). But for some, morning sickness continues throughout the entire pregnancy.
As the name suggests, this sickness usually occurs in the morning, soon after you wake up. But some pregnant moms might experience the illness throughout the day, thus making their entire day difficult.
The symptoms of morning sickness will vary from person to person and tend to be much more severe for women carrying twins or triplets.
Similarly, if you travel a lot or are undergoing extreme emotional stress, then the severity will be high. Morning sickness can even vary in the same person. Just because you didn’t experience morning sickness during your first pregnancy doesn’t mean you won’t during your second or third.
Every pregnancy is different.
The most common symptom of morning sickness is nausea. Other symptoms include frequent vomiting and headache.
The leading cause of morning sickness is the pregnancy hormone. In some cases, a drop in blood sugar level can also cause morning sickness.
What Foods Are Good for Morning Sickness?
Eating or munching on any of the foods mentioned below can help provide relief from morning sickness
Ginger
Ginger is very effective in reducing the symptoms of nausea (even when not pregnant).
Ginger can be consumed in the form of a capsule or along with sugar syrup.
If you can withstand the taste of ginger itself, then you can even grate it and mix it with hot water to be sipped as a tea. Crystallized ginger is also an option and useful for some women.
Peppermint
Peppermint can be consumed in many forms such as candy, gum, or tea.
If you’re a fan of aromatherapy, you can even smell peppermint oil to get a soothing feeling. Using peppermint oil has been shown to provide relief from stress, mental exhaustion, and even mild depression.
For some women, even brushing teeth with mint flavor can provide relief from morning sickness.
Lemon
The citrus flavor of lemon helps reduce morning sickness. You can take a slice of lemon and smell it or have a couple of lemon candies on hand to chew on.
If you have lemon essential oil at home, you can place a few drops in cotton and smell it.
You can also combine both ginger and lemon water to get relief if you feel like your symptoms are particularly rough.
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Smoothies
If you do not feel like eating anything, then you can try sipping a smoothie.
Pineapple-ginger, banana- ginger, and strawberry – ginger are a few combinations of smoothie you can try that are enjoyable and will give you the benefits you seek.
Toast
Carb Lovers Rejoice!! You can have plain toast or sprinkle some salt and have it. Toast provides a fuller feel without making you feel nauseous.
It’s a great breakfast idea when absolutely nothing appeals to you.
What Are The Best Strategies for Morning Sickness?
Here are some of the most effective morning sickness tips that help you face this difficult stage.
Snack In Bed
I know, the thought of crumbs in your bed can be terrifying but it can help.
Before you get out of the bed in the morning, eat a piece of toast or a cookie. You can keep it beside your bed the previous night and eat it as soon as you wake up.
Once you eat a small snack, your stomach is no longer completely empty which will help avoid the nausea and dizziness associated with morning sickness.
If your partner is particularly caring, they can even wake up before you and make breakfast to help ease the discomfort.
Eat More Often
Instead of eating a heavy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you should try to eat smaller meals regularly.
This way, your stomach will be full all the time, and the food is also easily digested. Ideally, you should try to eat small meals in 1-2 hours gap.
Avoid Spicy And Oily Food
Spicy and greasy food can trigger reflex action and make you throw up.
Try to stick with food items that are boiled or baked and avoid fried food, even if your baby is craving it.
Eat Protein-Rich Food
Protein-rich food like nuts, milk, and cheese provide you the much-needed energy for the day.
It also helps to keep your stomach full and provides relief from morning sickness. Some women have found that having a high-protein snack before bed helps them wake up without the queasy feeling.
Sucking on Something Sour
A lot of moms get relief from morning sickness by sucking on sour things, like a lemon or lime popsicles.
My personal choice is a couple of sour patch kids! Just need the self-discipline to stop after a couple.
Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate!
You know when you’re hungover and your body just needs electrolytes? If not, you start feeling worse and worse? Morning sickness is similar!
Dehydration can make morning sickness even worse. Take your water bottle with you wherever you go and sip water or juice throughout the day so that you remain hydrated.
Rest!
A stressed body aggravates the symptoms of morning sickness.
Try to lie down or take rest as much as possible. If you are working, try to sit and work rather than moving around a lot.
But remember not to lie down immediately after a meal as it can aggravate the symptom.
Hold Back Brushing
If you have the habit of brushing after every meal, try and hold-off.
Oral health is very important during pregnancy, but brushing soon after a meal can make you feel nauseous. Wait for at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth.
Some women have found that toothpaste with little or no smell are best when trying to avoid post-brushing nausea.
Stay Away From Strong Odors
You’ve probably figured this one out on. your own by now, but some odors can make you feel queazy almost instantly.
Odors like the cooking of lentils, perfumes, or even body odor of your partner can put you off. Try to stay away from these at least till you come out of this stage.
Take Vitamins
Consuming pregnancy vitamins helps some women to get relief from morning sickness.
Worst case scenario is it doesn’t alleviate your morning sickness, but you at least get the required amount of vitamin your body requires.
Try Therapies
I’ve already mentioned aromatherapy a couple of times in this article, but you can also try reflexology to help with nausea. Both can provide relief from morning sickness for some women and help with the stress your body is going through.
If you are planning to do any form of therapy/massage, then make sure that you go to a certified therapist.
The good thing about morning sickness is that it is a temporary phase. Most of the pregnant women come out of these symptoms once they enter the second trimester of pregnancy.
But if you continue to experience the symptoms even after the first trimester, then you should consult your OB. They might prescribe some medicine which can provide you relief from morning sickness.
Did you or are you currently experiencing morning sickness and nausea? Do you have any tips for morning sickness?
