Coping With Morning Sickness

If you are pregnant, you have a lot of symptoms like sore breasts and multiple trips to the bathroom. Some women may not have any nausea at all, and others feel that they are seasick. Morning sickness includes nausea and vomiting and could also include aversion to certain foods. Many women have a keener sense of smell which makes morning sickness much worse. Morning sickness is not restricted to the first half of the day either – it could hit at any time.

When does it start?

For most women, it starts after they pass the 6-week mark of their pregnancy. For most expectant moms, it could go away after 12 weeks. The symptoms are usually worse between 10 and 16 weeks¹.

Common symptoms of morning sickness

Typical symptoms experienced by expectant mothers are -

• A queasy feeling in the stomach (starts in the first trimester)
• This feeling starts in the morning but can occur throughout the day or even at the night
• Strong reactions to specific smells and foods which induce vomiting
• Nausea followed by hunger
• Throwing up after eating

Morning sickness is not harmful to the baby, but many women lose weight when they should be gaining. Your doctor will want to rule out a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum, which is profoundly serious. Women with this condition may get hospitalized so that mom and baby are protected².

What are the causes for morning sickness?

There are many theories on this topic, but none of them are provable. Some factors are -

• High levels of pregnancy hormones which are high in the morning
• Increasing levels of progesterone and estrogen, which slow down digestion
• A metallic taste in the mouth
• Heightened sense of smell due to high hormone levels
• Heartburn which could occur during pregnancy

All pregnant women do not have the same level and acuteness with morning sickness. Some throw up occasionally and others throw up all the time causing some serious weight loss and dehydration. Some may feel nauseous but do not feel the need to throw up.

Keep in mind that high hormone levels, fatigue and stress can cause morning sickness. Women who are expecting their first child are more likely to have morning sickness and a severe condition at that. There are a lot of things one can do to avoid morning sickness. Here are a few ideas and home remedies for tackling this unpleasant condition.

Coping with morning sickness

1. Get rid of stinky odors: This is the first step in curbing nausea. The only way to figure out what smells are offending is by the process of elimination. Leave windows open and ventilate the kitchen well to avoid throwing up.

2. Get adequate rest: Resting and trying to be stress-free is another way to lower queasiness. Try to find methods that help in lowering stress.

3. Go slow: Trying to do much too fast also aggravates morning sickness. Taking it easy and dropping activities that are not essential are a good start. Getting alone and quiet time will also help.

4. Alternative remedies: There are many things you can do to minimize bouts of morning sickness. Some women have benefited from acupuncture and hypnosis.

5. Keeping the mouth clean: Regular brushing and a clean mouth reduce nausea. Bile from the stomach can damage teeth if the mouth and teeth are not rinsed adequately. 

6. Taking supplements: Make sure to take prenatal supplements prescribed by your doctor. During pregnancy, women need a higher dose of Vitamin B6 and folic acid³. Check with your doctor before taking any prenatal vitamins.

Home remedies for morning sickness

Pregnant women are familiar with morning sickness and have to cope with it. There are a number of home remedies that can help in getting rid of nausea with medications.

Ginger is a popular option used by many women to curb nausea. Dried ginger root or candy is a good option. There are few or no side effects to eating ginger and it is a good remedy. Ginger tea is a refreshing drink that can help morning sickness, it can be enjoyed hot or cold.

Peppermint oils can also be used to deal with nausea. Many women find that inhaling peppermint oil reduced nausea by 50%. Citrus fruit and smells have also helped some women to deal with nausea.

Breathing deeply is a good home remedy as well. Learning some breathing techniques and practicing them regularly is a good way to lower stress as well as nausea.

Spices like fennel, cumin and cinnamon can help some women deal with nausea. If these smells or the taste of these spices bother you, then you should find alternatives.

Avoiding fatty foods, large meals and protein can help lower nausea. Avoid lying down immediately after a meal, as this causes heartburn. 

Morning sickness is not a fun condition to deal with and makes a person feel awful. If nausea persists, then get help from your doctor or a health care professional. Expecting a child should be a fun experience and there are ways to mitigate the effects of morning sickness.

References:

1. www.whattoexpect.com

2. www.nhs.uk

3. www.mayoclinic.org

Meet Our KeaMommy Contributor: Sara Gale Sara loves traveling and exploring new places with her family. She is mom to 2 lovely children and loves bringing them out on adventures.