1. Mornings Make Me Sick
Many people think morning sickness only occurs in the morning, which isn't true. It can occur at any time during the day. Also, only about 40 percent of women get morning sickness. Many women don't experience any nausea or vomiting during pregnancy. A hormone in the placenta is responsible for causing morning sickness. It's usually at its worst during the first trimester, and lets up in the second trimester, though there are exceptions.
2. Keep Eating to Decrease Nausea
The less you eat, the worse you'll feel. During pregnancy, empty stomachs can increase nausea and morning sickness. You also must eat to support your pregnancy. Try eating a few bites of a favorite food or a small meal every 2 hours. Eat foods you'd normally eat after a stomach flu, such as Saltines, dry toast and soups. If that's too much for you, try smoothies. Avoid common foods that cause nausea, such as fried or spicy foods. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole wheat. However, some people claim potato chips help to fight morning sickness.
3. Avoid Strong Smells
Strong smells during pregnancy often trigger morning sickness. Food products like coffee and French fries are common culprits. So are some types of perfumes and colognes. If possible, try to eliminate these smells from your environment. Avoid coffee shops and restaurants, or ask work colleagues to lay off the perfume or cologne.
4. Severe Vomiting Isn't Good
Peppermint products like peppermint flavored gums or teas can fight morning sickness, as can ginger products like crystallized ginger candies or ginger teas. However, most ginger ales no longer contain ginger, so don't use the beverages to treat your morning sickness. Other treatments include smelling sliced lemons and acupressure bands. Acupressure bands engage pressure points, helping to fight morning sickness.
5. Talk to a Care Provider
Severe morning sickness during pregnancy can cause problems. It can dehydrate you, bringing on preterm contractions. In addition, if you can't keep any food down, you may not be absorbing enough nutrients to support the pregnancy. Your care provider may also recommend a prescription or an over-the-counter treatment to treat morning sickness.
