For many people, finding out they’re expecting can be such a joy. Unfortunately, this feeling of euphoria can quickly be replaced with nausea when morning sickness kicks in. Morning sickness, which can last all day, is often put down to hormonal changes. However, no one knows what causes it. This symptom is more common early on in a woman’s pregnancy journey, but for some, it can last all the way through. Although it usually isn’t serious and it won’t harm your baby, it can be incredibly debilitating and affect your day-to-day life. If you are suffering from morning sickness, here are a few ideas to help you keep it at bay.
Speak to a Professional
If your morning sickness seems severe and you are worried about it, the best thing to do is speak to a professional. Although morning sickness is common for many women during their pregnancy, it can develop into hyperemesis gravidarum, a serious form of pregnancy sickness. London Pregnancy Clinic offers private pregnancy care and delivery. They specialise in obstetrics, gynaecology, and fetal health, and their team of experts will give you the reassurance and guidance you need during your pregnancy journey. When the special day finally arrives, you will be well looked after as you deliver your baby at the Fitzrovia Wing at UCLH or the renowned Portland Hospital.
Anti-Sickness Medication
Lifestyle changes and natural remedies can be incredibly helpful for expectant mothers, but they might not cut it for everyone. If your nausea is severe, your doctor can recommend an antiemetic, anti-sickness medication to help you cope with your symptoms. When it comes to medication during pregnancy, you must follow the advice of your doctor. Not all medicine is safe to take during pregnancy, and any medication you decide to take should be taken correctly. Antiemetics are often given taken in tablet form, but your doctor might suggest a suppository or an injection to women who can’t keep tablets down.
Keep Your Prenatal Vitamins Down
Some people find it difficult to swallow medication. It can be even harder if you’re already feeling nauseous. If this sounds familiar and you just can’t seem to keep your prenatal vitamins down, try taking them with some food. Even a bite of toast or a plain cracker can make it easier. You can also try taking your vitamins before bed so that you’re fast asleep before the nausea hits.
Vitamin B6
In addition to your prenatal vitamins, vitamin B6 could help keep nausea away. Some women vouch for the effectiveness of this vitamin against pregnancy-related vomiting. It is naturally high in pork, poultry, fish, soya beans, peanuts, wholegrain cereals and milk. If you think you need some more B6 in your diet, you could try taking a B6 supplement, but as always, you should ask your doctor before taking anything new, especially with a baby on the way.
Consume More Ginger
Unless you hate the taste of ginger, this is the go-to herb when it comes to morning sickness. Even if you’re not pregnant, ginger is often recommended to quell nausea. Those who enjoy ginger can chomp on ginger biscuits and candied ginger. You can even nibble on raw stem ginger to keep nausea at bay. Alternatively, you can drink the goodness in tea. Simply peel some fresh ginger, boil it in hot water, and drink it with a bit of honey.
When Life Gives You Lemons
Use it to ward off morning sickness. Cravings are common during pregnancy, and some people find themselves reaching for more sour foods than usual. The reason might be that citric acid can aid digestion, which means it helps soothe the stomach and decreases nausea. With this in mind, your body might be craving sour food because it is trying to prevent nausea from occurring in the first place. Rather than reaching for sour sweets, try opting for citrus fruits instead. Drink freshly squeezed lemonade or add a squeeze of lemon in your morning yoghurt and enjoy it with some fresh fruit.
Engage Your Sense of Smell
The sense of smell is amazing, and many people swear by aromatherapy to soothe morning sickness. As mentioned above, lemon is a favourite when it comes to nausea. You can either use essential oil to spread the fragrance around your home, or you can cut up some fresh lemons and sniff them instead. If you prefer to use fresh fruit and you enjoy the taste of lemon, try sipping water with fresh lemon slices added to it.
Peppermint Tea
If lemon tea isn’t your thing, give peppermint tea a go instead. This herbal tea is naturally caffeine-free, and it can help you smell minty fresh, which is a bonus if you suffer from bouts of vomiting, as well as nausea. Studies show that peppermint tea can help relieve pain and relax intestinal muscles. Some claim that it can offer stress relief and decrease headaches. Just inhaling the scent of the tea can help reduce feelings of nausea too. Not to mention, drinking more herbal tea can help you increase your daily fluids, which is important, whether you’re pregnant or not.
Small, Regular Meals
Nausea and vomiting can make you want to stop eating. However, an empty stomach can exacerbate morning sickness. It’s a vicious cycle that can feel never-ending. Stop this horrible cycle by eating little and often, instead of trying to fit in large meals. Not to mention, eating small, regular meals can help keep your blood sugar at an optimum level. If you’re not used to eating small meals, keep bland snacks with you so that you can nibble on them wherever you are. This can be handy first thing in the morning and late at night when you can’t be bothered getting out of bed to find something to eat.
Acupressure
Some experts claim that acupressure can relieve symptoms of morning sickness, and even shorten the length of time you suffer from it during your pregnancy. Evidence suggests that applying some pressure on your wrist, using a specially designed band, can help get rid of nausea.