Morning sickness refers to the nausea that often occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy, mainly in the morning. It tends to improve as the day wears on and usually disappears by the fourth month of pregnancy. Dr. Sears explains that hormone changes in pregnancy produce side effects that lead to this nausea, including low blood sugar levels and delayed stomach emptying.
Dry Toast or Crackers
The most common preventive measure for morning sickness is having a dry form of complex carbohydrate before getting out of bed. Getting something into the stomach can actually settle the nausea and also raise blood sugar level to normal, which can improve feelings of light-headedness or dizziness. Soda crackers, dry toast or dry cereal will all have these effects in preventing, or alleviating, morning sickness. Eating something dry and excluding any fluid keeps the stomach settled as well. Fluids should be consumed between meals instead of with meals to prevent feelings of fullness.
Ginger
According to the Rhode Island Hospital Health System (Lifespan), ginger has been used for ages to alleviate nausea. Fresh ginger can be used in food preparation, or consumed as ginger ale, ginger tea or ginger candy. There are special ginger-flavored candies that are sold with the specific purpose of preventing nausea. Look for those that advertise "prevent motion-sickness" on the package, or for the special brand just for morning sickness called "Preggy Pops."
Lemon
This fruit alleviates nausea in some people. The juice can be squeezed over foods, used in beverages including tea or water, or made into lemonade. The American Pregnancy Helpline suggests eating them, sucking on them, or even just sniffing them to stave off morning sickness.
Cold Foods
Eating cold foods helps by avoiding odors that may promote nausea. Smells from cooking food are one of the common triggers for nausea during pregnancy. Yogurts, puddings, applesauce and cold cereals are some of the items suggested on Dr. Sears' site. Meats, chicken and hard-boiled eggs are good sources of protein which can be enjoyed at a cold temperature. Other cold foods, such as Popsicles, ices or sorbets, can provide a great source of fluids for hydration when nausea precludes taking a single bite of food.
Bland Foods
Fatty or fried foods are those most likely to cause distress for many pregnant women. Avoid spicy and greasy foods along with anything that promotes nausea in each individual case. Bland foods like sandwiches, salads, plain baked potatoes, oatmeal, pretzels, crackers, cheese, yogurt and plain fruit or vegetables are often the best tolerated.
