Morning sickness is a common occurrence among many pregnant women. According to MayoClinic.com, approximately 50 to 90 percent of pregnant women are affected with morning sickness. Though morning sickness is most likely to occur during the first trimester of pregnancy, it can last the entire pregnancy. Steps can be taken to reduce the frequency and symptoms associated with morning sickness, such as sipping ginger ale periodically throughout the day. Speak with your doctor before self-treating this or any other health condition.
Symptoms
Despite the name, morning sickness can occur at any time of the day, but it is more commonly experienced in the mornings. Morning sickness is a feeling of nausea that might occur with or without vomiting. More severe cases of morning sickness might have symptoms of severe vomiting, inability to keep fluids down and vomiting blood. If you experience persistent vomiting, you are encouraged to contact your health care provider for an evaluation.
Ginger
Ginger root has been used for many years as an alternative treatment for upset stomach, diarrhea and nausea. In addition, ginger is also a popular flavoring in foods and drinks such as ginger ale and ginger bread. Ginger contains volatile oils and pungent phenol compounds called gingerols and shogaols, which are believed to be the active components, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Ginger is a commonly recommended herb by health care providers in relieving and preventing nausea.
Dosage
Pregnancy-related nausea might be effectively reduced or prevented by taking ginger in doses of 1 g per day for no longer than four days, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. For pregnancy-induced vomiting, the university's website suggests taking 250 mg up to four times per day. However, ginger consumption should not exceed more than 4 g per day, including that obtained from foods and drinks containing the herb.
Prevention
Morning sickness might be able to be prevented by eating several small meals throughout the day. Additionally, keeping saltine crackers by your bedside and snacking on them before you get out of bed might help prevent nausea. Try drinking a glass of milk or eating some low-fat yogurt as a late-night snack. The dairy products contain natural antacids that might help neutralize stomach acids. Limiting the amount of greasy and fatty foods you eat during the day might also help.
