How to Deal with Morning Sickness?
Morning sickness refers to the nauseous feeling experienced by the pregnant women.
Morning sickness usually starts around the 6th week of pregnancy though; it may differ from woman to woman. Morning sickness may be accompanied by vomiting triggered by the increased or imbalanced hormones.
There are several factors which may trigger morning sickness
Generally morning sickness occurs during the early hours of the morning and as the day progresses it slowly improves, thus the name morning sickness; while, few females may experience this symptom during the day too.
Morning sickness is also known as hyperemesis gravidarum or nausea gravidarum or pregnancy sickness. This symptom can be quite troublesome in few females and if quite severe it can also lead to electrolyte imbalance and unintentional weight loss. In few cases, the woman may require to be hospitalized due to severe dehydration. If left untreated, morning sickness may eventually hurt your baby. Hence, it is crucial to find ways to manage it and cope with it.
Few ways to effectively deal with morning sickness
1. Select appropriate foods. Your diet should be composed of foods which are easy to digest and are rich in carbohydrates or proteins. Consume foods low in fibre. Salty potato chips are helpful in settling the stomach. Include brown bread and whole grains. Avoid food high in fat and spice. Avoid eating outside food. Avoid junk foods and foods with ample of flavours.
2. Frequent snacking. It is advisable to nibble throughout the day frequently rather than consuming three large meals. An empty stomach may worsen nausea. Cold meals are often better accepted by the stomach as compared to hot meals. Avoid skipping meals.
3. Bland food. Consume bland food as much as possible as they are easy to digest and smell less.
4. Fluid consumption. Consume plenty of fluids regularly and in small quantity. Suck ice cubes made from water or fruit juice. Cool drinks can be a great option to obtain relief. Avoid food and juices that contribute to acidity. Avoid aerated drinks and sodas.
5. Tea and Coffee. Stop the consumption of tea & coffee to see if there is any relief.
6. Ginger. Consume drinks made with real ginger or take fresh ginger tea.
7. Lemons. Sniffing lemons can provide relief from nausea. Lemon slices to iced tea can be added and frequent sips can be taken.
8. Prenatal vitamins. Multivitamins help in reducing nausea. If you feel uneasy taking the prenatal vitamins, take it with some snacks or during night. Else, you may also chew gum after taking the prenatal vitamins.
9. Calcium tablets. Take chewable calcium tablets before going to bed or on awakening.
10. Morning and Bedtime Snack. It is advisable to have a meal or snack before going to bed and early in the morning as you awaken as empty stomach increases morning sickness.
11. Brushing. Rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after every bout of vomiting and after each meal.
12. Bathing. Refrain from using too hot or too cold water for bathing.Fulfil your desires – Indulge in your cravings, particularly if it helps you to get relief.
13. Minimising triggers. Avoid exposure to triggers that exacerbate nausea.
14. Fresh air. Inhale fresh air. Take regular walks outdoors.
15. Manage Stress. Learn to reduce stress as stress can accelerate nausea. Try yoga, meditation or relaxation techniques.
16. Clothes. Wear clothes that are loose and comfortable. Some females find anything pressing on their waist or abdomen as irritating and can cause nausea.
17. Rest. Plenty of rest is advisable.
18. Lying down. For minimum, 30 minutes post meals; you must avoid lying down; as the horizontal position may hinder digestion.
19. Warm places. Warm places should be avoided. Keep your body temperature in control. Avoid going out in the sun else, use an umbrella.
20. Odors. Perfumes with strong fragrance should be avoided as they may aggravate the symptoms of morning sickness.
21. Surroundings. Keep your surroundings clean. Avoid staying in dark for prolonged durations and keep your room well ventilated and well arranged.
22. Exercise. Light exercise is advised.
Few complementary therapies that can be helpful in offering relief to morning sickness are:
- Homeopathy – There are several homeopathic remedies which can successfully deal with morning sickness. Consult a qualified homoeopath for the treatment.
- Ayurveda – There are a list of medicines available which are commonly used in treating this condition.
- Acupressure – Acupressure wristbands can be of help in certain cases.
- Acupuncture – Hair-thin needles are inserted into the skin, to offer relief.
- Aromatherapy – In certain females, few essential oils help in dealing with morning sickness.
Follow the above mentioned diet, regimen and lifestyle measures to alleviate morning sickness and to enjoy your most beautiful phase of life – pregnancy, without much discomfort.
Internal Links
[1] Am I Pregnant?
[2] Third Trimester. What to expect
[3] How to deal with Morning sickness
[4] Gestational Diabetes: Diabetes during pregnancy
[5] Neonatal diabetes: Diabetes in infants