Although it's commonly referred to as "morning sickness," the nausea and vomiting that commonly occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy can happen any time of the day or night. Some women experience it relentlessly at all hours of the day. While most nausea and vomiting will go away on its own when the first trimester ends, there are morning sickness remedies that can help alleviate symptoms, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Eating
It might seem counter-intuitive, but eating often can help keep feelings of nausea and vomiting away. Overeating, however, can have the opposite effect, so be careful. Instead of eating the usual three meals a day, eat smaller but more frequent meals throughout the day. Pick bland foods without a strong odor, and avoid anything too spicy or greasy. It is also a good idea to keep something to snack on nearby that can be eaten whenever morning sickness arises. The American Pregnancy Association suggests snacks such as crackers, salty potato chips, jello, flavored ice pops, watermelon or any product with lemon or ginger, as these are particularly effective at calming a queasy stomach.
Drinking
Although it is important to keep hydrated, especially during pregnancy, drinking too much liquid with meals can trigger morning sickness. The American Pregnancy Association instead recommends trying to drink at least 30 minutes before or after a meal, if possible, to reduce or eliminate nausea. Drinks such as peppermint tea, lemonade, ginger ale or plain water are good choices.
Pregnancy Lollipops
There are many brands of lollipops available made specifically for the treatment of morning sickness. These lollipops can be found in many maternity or baby stores or online. They usually come in a wide variety of flavors known to reduce feeling of nausea such as ginger, mint, lemon, lavender or sour flavors.
Wrist Bands
Acupressure wrist bands are sometimes used for sea sickness, but might also help alleviate morning sickness, suggests the American Academy of Family Physicians. These wrist bands work by gently putting continuous pressure on acupuncture points to relieve discomfort from nausea. These bands can be found at drugstores or online.
Avoiding Triggers
Some pregnant women find that certain smells, tastes or textures seem to trigger a bout of nausea or vomiting. If this is the case, avoid these triggers for a few weeks until the morning sickness subsides. If certain triggers seem unavoidable, such as cooking dinner, see if family or friends can help out.
Rest
The American Pregnancy Association says that being well-rested can alleviate morning sickness, so go to bed early or take a nap during the day if possible. Lying down immediately after eating, however, can also bring about morning sickness, so it is best to avoid an after-mealtime rest. After taking a nap or upon waking in the morning, snack on some crackers about 15 minutes before rising, suggests BabyCenter.com. This can help prevent nausea from being triggered upon rising.
