How to Ease Morning Sickness During Pregnancy
Most pregnant women will go through nausea, especially when they wake up. Morning sickness, has thus been named because the nausea usually takes place during the morning, although it may recur again anytime during the day or even at night.
Morning sickness usually occurs during the first trimester, and usually disappears towards the latter stage of pregnancy. If, however, a pregnant woman’s nausea extends well into the 2nd or last trimester and it is so severe that she can no longer hold food down, she should inform her doctor about this, as it may affect her baby’s development.
Studies show that increasing levels of hormones during pregnancy can trigger nausea. Hormones such as progesterone and estrogen are essential for pregnancy, but they can also affect the digestive process. Changes in levels of other hormones, such as cholecystokinin can result to dizziness, low blood sugar and nausea.
If an expectant mother can not hold food due to morning sickness, the baby may not have enough nutrients inside the womb and she may have to be hospitalized to resolve her electrolytes level. Frequent nausea and vomiting will also make her feel more tired than she is already.
If you are pregnant and experiencing morning sickness too often, here are some suggestions that may help you deal with morning sickness.
1. Take dry crackers and sweet juices when you wake up.
2. Eat small meals frequently, even during the night, if you wake up hungry.
3. Avoid food with very strong smells, spicy and oily foods. Focus on more natural foods such as honey, potatoes, vegetables, bananas and wheat or whole grain breakfast cereals.
4. Avoid body odors, stale food, coffee, alcohol, scented toiletries and strong smelling foods that may trigger nausea. Ask your husband and other kids to cooperate to make pregnancy easier for you. Avoid things that can cause stress, as it is known to aggravate feelings of nausea.
5. Nausea is usually caused by low blood sugar. Keep a ready stash of candies or gum and have these when you feel like a bout of nausea is about to start. Take along easy to digest foods such as crackers, which you can nibble on anywhere, anytime of the day.
6. Do not take your prenatal vitamins in an empty stomach, as vitamins are known to trigger nausea.
7. Make a list of foods that can trigger vomiting, and others that can make you feel good.
8. Ask your doctor to prescribe pregnancy safe antacids that you can take before sleeping and upon awakening.
9. Get plenty of sleep. Nausea can also happen during the night and might keep you awake. Sleep whenever you can to regain your strength.
10. And finally, avoid situations that cause stress. Ask your husband or other kids to cooperate in making pregnancy easy for you.
When To See Your Doctor About Morning Sickness
Consult your doctor right away if you have any of the following signs during morning sickness:
- excessive vomiting
- dry mouth, eyes and skin
- feeling of fatigue
- feeling of fainting
- mental acuity lessened
- cannot eat or drink without throwing up
Remember that morning sickness happens to about 80% of pregnant women. Do not despair and think that when you’re done with the first trimester, you will be done with nausea and your body would have adjusted to pregnancy.
