It is common for those that are pregnant to experience tiredness, nausea and vomiting. Around half of women who become pregnant will experience some vomiting or nausea with about 3 in 10 experiencing nausea without vomiting. Some people think that morning sickness is a minor inconvenience while others find that this has a serious impact on their quality of life and ability to participate in day to day activities. If you would like to better manage morning sickness, there are a number of remedies you can try.
What Causes Morning Sickness？
1. Hormonal Changes
An increase of estrogen and progesterone can cause nausea and vomiting, especially in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This is because these hormones increase your sense of smell, causing smells that originally were not stimulating before can become overwhelming.
2. HCG Levels
When the body conceives it will begin to produce human chorionic gonadotrophin or hCG which can increase your risk of vomiting and nausea.
3. Nutritional Deficiency
If your body is low in vitamin B6 it can cause the body to start showing symptoms of morning sickness. So be sure to consume enough Vitamin B6 foods such as peanuts, bananas, potatoes, soya beans wholemeal bread, brown rice and oatmeal.
When does Morning Sickness Start?
Morning sickness is commonly a symptom of early pregnancy that can start after conception. If you have had unprotected sex and are experiencing morning sickness symptoms, take a pregnancy test and if it comes back positive, make an appointment with a health care professional to confirm this diagnosis and start prenatal care.
Those confirmed to be pregnant can expect morning sickness around 4-6 weeks into the pregnancy that will get worse over the next month. Some women experience queasiness as early as two weeks after they have conceived. For most women, this symptom stops around the 12th week of pregnancy, but for some it can continue through to the 16th week. Around half of women report seeing relief around week 14. In some cases morning sickness scan return later or come and go throughout the entire pregnancy. Every pregnancy is different, so morning sickness can be difficult to predict.
How to Deal with Morning Sickness
1. Sniff Lemon
Sniffing a fresh scent like lemon when you are surrounded by an unpleasant odor can make it more bearable so you will not feel nauseated. Carry a sprig of fresh rosemary or a bottle of lemon extract in your bag,
2. Eat Certain Snacks
Consuming foods that are gently on your system such as crackers can help to settle your stomach to ward off nausea. You can try the following snacks: ginger jam on toast, crackers, pretzels, Jell-O and flavored popsicles.
3. Stay Hydrated
Getting eight glasses of water a day will help to prevent dehydration which can increase your risk of nausea. If you are craving salty snacks it is even more important to drink water so you do not wind up dehydrated.
4. Try Ginger
Ginger can help to ease queasiness. Adding a slice of fresh ginger to hot tea or water can provide a comfortable remedy. Sipping ginger ale or consuming gingersnaps, crystallized ginger or gingerbread can also be helpful.
5. Consider Medications
If you are not able to keep food down then you may need to talk to your doctor about medications that can ease your systems. Vitamin B6 supplements or Unisom are both known for easing morning sickness.
6. Wear Acupuncture Wristband
A variety of studies have indicated that acupuncture can help to relieve morning sickness. Many women have used wristbands that utilize this therapy. These contain a wristband that has a button or small bead that will activate the acupuncture point on the underside of the wrist. Pushing on this button before getting into bed or when nausea occurs can help to interrupt these uncomfortable feelings. You can purchase these bracelets at a drug store.
The following video outlines five simple tips that can help to reduce morning sickness:
When to See a Doctor
You should visit a doctor if you are vomiting so severely that you cannot keep any food or beverages down because you may become malnourished or dehydrated as a result. You should also contact your midwife or GP if:
- You feel very dizzy, weak or faint when standing
- Have dark colored urine or have not passed urine for over eight hours
- You have abdominal pain
- Are unable to keep fluids or food down for 24 hours
- Vomit blood
- Have a fever over 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C)
If your nausea and vomiting persists after 13 weeks of pregnancy you should talk to your doctor to be safe. Morning sickness should not harm you or your baby unless it is particularly severe and you cannot keep food down. If you cannot eat or drink for 24 hour you may be suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum which can be harmful to you and your baby’s health. Contact your doctor right away to determine if you need special treatment.