12 Tips For Combating Morning Sickness

Pregnancy is that one phase of a woman’s life which is filled with excitement, anxiety, speculation, and of course, surprises! Most women experience a lot of physical and psychological changes that make them think that pregnancy is a scary process. However, this is not at all true. Pregnancy is not a disease. It is a joyful ride throughout, though often accompanied by morning sickness for almost half of the pregnant women, which makes the ride a little stressful. In the first trimester, most women experience morning sickness, which makes them feel tired and sick.

So, what exactly is morning sickness?

If you’re one of the many women who experience nausea and vomiting, especially during the first trimester, then this condition is called morning sickness. It’s natural and absolutely common. It does not mean that you or your baby is sick. Feeling nauseous or vomiting does not hurt the baby at all, although the sensation seems to crunch your body.

Morning sickness usually occurs during the early hours of the day. However, contrary to the name, many women do experience this at any hour of the day. Morning sickness or the feeling of nausea during pregnancy is caused by the increase in the hormones of your body and usually goes away as you enter your second trimester.

Symptoms of morning sickness

• Nausea (feeling of sickness) with or without the act of vomiting
• Feeling sick or vomiting from the smell of certain food items or ingredients
• Nausea from eating certain foods or ingredients like oil, spices etc
• Nausea and/or vomiting arising by heat or similar conditions

Tips to combat morning sickness

Though every woman’s body has its own way to combat morning sickness, below are some common tips that work for most women. You may try these out or consult your gynaecologist if nothing seems to work for you.

1. Keep eating something every 2 hours – it could be something as small as a mint or a piece of chocolate or some nuts. Empty stomach usually causes morning sickness. So keep your tummy full for most hours of the day.
2. Do not skip your main meals – your breakfast, your lunch and your dinner. 
3. Always keep a jar of nuts handy and consume them in between to avoid long gaps between your meals.
4. Have one citrus fruit every day – unless your doctor advises you otherwise.
5. Have some nuts or a small snack right before you hit the bed at night. This will keep you a bit full when you wake up in the morning and will ease your morning sickness to some extent.
6. Sniff a lemon or some fresh scent that makes you feel pleasant as against the odour that makes you feel nauseous.
7. Avoid eating food items that make you feel uneasy or sick.
8. Stay hydrated. Drink at least 8 glasses of water to keep your body temperature on track.
9. Find food items that help you ease your nausea. Have them in small quantities the moment you feel sick, even though you might not be in a mood to consume anything that time. Nuts, ice-cream, and fruits are some that work for many women.
10. Avoid a lot of oily and spicy food items. Hot dishes often lead to morning sickness in most women. Consume cooler items to keep yourself at bay.
11. Don’t stress yourself with work. Take a break, if needed. Give your body the rest it deserves.
12. Wear comfortable and breathable clothes.

If you experience morning sickness frequently, track the time and the triggers of nausea. Ensure you make a note of them and take measurable steps accordingly. Consult your gynaecologist if you think the problem is severe and you need medicines.

Mrs.Grover is a branding and communications professional. She has over a decade of experience in writing and is inspired by the power of content every single day. She loves to write on matters related to love, life, health, beauty, business, and (now that she’s expecting her first) motherhood. 

Found this article useful? Read more blogs at www.themomstore.in 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this post are the personal views of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of The Mom Store.