11 Tips For Beating Morning Sickness During Pregnancy

Morning sickness is nausea and/ or vomiting that occurs during pregnancy. Many women experience morning sickness during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. It is often one of the first signs of pregnancy.

Facts About Morning Sickness

• The main symptoms include nausea and vomiting.
• It can happen during any time of the day or night, not just in the mornings.
• It generally starts as early as the fourth week and can last until round about thirteen weeks.
• It affects an estimated eighty percent of women.
• Severity differs from one woman to the next.
• The chances of your baby being affected is slim unless your weight plummets and you’re unable to keep any food or liquid down. Make sure you book an appointment with your doctor when this happens.

11 Tips For Beating Morning Sickness

• Avoid smoking or inhaling second hand smoke.
• Eat small meals frequently.
• Ask your GP or Gynaecologist about iron supplements which are safe for pregnancy.
• Make sure you drink plenty of fluids in between meals, especially water.
• Steer clear from fatty or spicy foods.
• Avoid foods that have strong aromas.
• Consume foods at room or colder temperatures if possible.
• Avoid drinks like coffee, tea or cola that contain caffeine. Drinking chamomile tea early in your pregnancy for morning sickness can be very effective.
• Vitamin B6 is recommended for controlling morning sickness as research revealed that extra doses of this vitamin can help relieve queasiness. The recommended dose is 10- 25mg three times daily but consult with your doctor before taking any supplements
  during pregnancy.
• Try get in as much sleep as possible and try to eat only a little food when waking up or just before getting out of bed. Prepare a snack the night before or ask your partner or husband to bring it to you.
• Before going to bed, try to eat a snack like yogurt, cereal, milk or a sandwich. Eat another snack when waking up during the night as it can help prevent nausea in the morning. Try to sleep with windows open to let in some fresh air.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum – Severe Morning Sickness

While morning sickness is a fairly common symptom of pregnancy and while it can be very unpleasant it is usually nothing to be concerned about.

When morning sickness becomes so severe that a pregnant woman persistently vomits several times a day. loses weight and becomes either dehydrated or at risk of being dehydrated it can interfere with the woman’s health and the health of her baby.

Severe morning sickness is called Hyperemesis Gravidarum and may need to be treated by your doctor to ensure that you and your baby are safe.