Morning Sickness Help

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2006
Morning Sickness Help
Thu, 09-14-2006 - 10:45am

General Remedies:



  • Avoid warm places as heat can increase the nausea feelings.
  • Take naps during the day (but not right after eating). Tiredness plays a big part in morning sickness.
  • Get enough sleep at night.
  • Get out of bed slowly in the morning.
  • Try eating plain crackers or dry cereal before you get out of bed in the morning.

Smells:



  • Open windows or turn on exhaust fans when cooking and after meals.
  • Cooking in the microwave usually produces less odors.
  • Silly as it sounds, carry a handkerchief with a few drops of a non nausea causing essential oil (lemon for example) in it and breath through it if you can't get away from the smell that is bothering you.

Food and Drink:



  • Avoid greasy or spicy foods as they often cause nausea or heartburn.
  • Eat what you want when you want it. Your cravings will not lead you the wrong way.
  • Have frequent protein snacks. (Low fat meats and seafood, nuts, eggs and beans are high protein.)
  • Eat smaller meals every two hours or so.
  • Eating something salty before a meal can help you "make it through" a meal.
  • Do not drink fluids with your meals.
  • Non caffeinated teas like peppermint and ginger can help calm nausea.
  • Drink small amounts of fluids regularly though out the day to avoid dehydration.
  • Do not skip meals if you can help it.
  • Avoid spicy and fried food - both eating and smelling it can increase your nausea.
  • Cold food may have less nausea inducing smells associated with them.

Supplements:



  • Try taking your prenatals later in the day.
  • Talk to your doctor about:

    • Vitamin B6 - 50 mg. daily. Vitamin B6 has been shown to help with pregnancy induced nausea.
    • Ginger capsules: 250 mg. three times daily. Ginger has long been associated with alleviating nausea. (Remember drinking ginger ale when you felt sick when you were little?)
    • Ask your doctor if you can stop taking your Prenatals temporarily to see if the nausea diminishes. You may still need to take a Folic Acid supplement to help protect your baby.
    • Talk to your doctor about not taking iron supplements unless you are anemic. Iron supplements can be hard for your stomach to deal with.