All About Morning Sickness and Nausea

Feeling queasy? Information and tips for handling morning sickness and nausea during pregnancy: Why now? Why you? And how to deal with it.

If your early weeks of pregnancy are not full of that radiant feeling you’ve heard so much about, don’t fret. You’re not alone. Over 50 percent of women will experience morning sickness and nausea during early pregnancy. These are among the most common symptoms of early pregnancy and are not harmful to your baby.

Why the nasty feeling?

Many researchers believe that the rise of your hormones (specifically HCG and estrogen) during pregnancy is the main reasons for morning sickness and nausea. A heightened sense of smell, brought about by hormonal changes, may be another contributing factor to nausea. Your body also undergoes additional changes such as stomach stretching, ovarian pressure, as well as stress which may cause an abnormal nauseous response.

Who is most likely to experience morning sickness and nausea?

Women who are pregnant with twins or multiple babies are generally more prone to morning sickness and nausea, as their hormone levels are generally higher than other pregnant women. Additionally, a propensity for motion sickness, nausea from birth control, or a family history of morning sickness may all be factors indicating a greater likelihood of experiencing morning sickness and nausea during pregnancy.

Preventative measures and remedies for morning sickness

You’ll be unenthusiastic to learn that morning sickness and nausea usually worsen during the seventh or eighth weeks of pregnancy. While these symptoms may not be totally preventable, there are some steps you can take to limit their severity:

1. Eat small & frequent meals or snacks throughout the day, especially foods rich in protein. Keep snacks, such as saltine crackers, next to your bedside to nibble right when you get up. Also, eat lots of fruits, especially ones rich in potassium, such as bananas.
2. Always get up slowly from a lying or sitting position.
3. Avoid foods and smells that trigger your nausea. Also avoid caffeine as well as fatty, spicy, and fried foods, as these can irritate your digestive system.
4. Drink lots of fluids, especially cold and carbonated drinks, between meals to lessen the severity of your nausea.
5. Get lots of sleep; a weak body will be more prone to nausea.
6. Avoid visuals that trigger your nausea, such as the flicker of a computer monitor. If you have to use a computer monitor, try adjusting the screen by making the fonts larger and bolder and changing the background to a more visually-soothing color such as light pink or tan.
7. Ginger has long been thought to be a natural stomach soother. Consume it in tea or as a snack to alleviate pain.
8. An acupressure band, designed to fight nausea by pressing on a pressure point on your wrist, is another reportedly effective method to fend of nausea.
9. Practice taking your mind off the nausea. Focus on other things such as reading a book, watching television, or even going for a short walk.
10. Keep a small jar of rosemary or lemon extract on hand. These scents have been thought to ease nausea.
11. Take a sick day from work. Some days you just can’t lumber through it, so give yourself a break.
12. Anti-nausea medication – If all else fails, why suffer? Consult with your physician about medication.

When to see your doctor

If your condition is so severe that you can’t keep down any food or fluids, have a high temperature, are vomiting blood, or feel especially faint, you may be suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, an extreme form of morning sickness. In this case, consult with your physician to receive proper treatment.