If you’re experiencing morning sickness, often a playful euphamism for all-day sickness that goes on for eight weeks straight, there are some things you can do to ease your suffering. The first thing to do is to remember the condition is a temporary one. Many women will find much relief from morning sickness in the second trimester of pregnancy, when hormone levels adjust and the body gets used to supporting the baby’s needs.
Until the Honeymoon phase of the second trimester sets in, there are simple at-home ways to help cure morning sickness, or at least treat it. Just as with any stomach trouble, certain foods can be beneficial in some people. To avoid morning sickness throughout the day, try not to allow the stomach to become too empty or too full. Eating regular, small meals of non-irritating foods can help regulate digestion.
Though many women find that Saltine crackers help cure morning sickness, some find that while they crave the salt, the texture is almost too dry. For these women, plain tortilla, potato chips or even pretzels may be a better choice to help cure morning sickness during pregnancy. For either crackers or chips to be effective, eat a small portion slowly before even getting out of bed in the morning, and keep a small bag of snacks nearby to help settle an upset stomach.
Drinking herbal tea or ginger ale may help sooth the nausea pangs of morning sickness. Sip slowly and do not lie down within 20 minutes of drinking. Avoid stimulants such as coffee or heavily acidic drinks like orange juice if troublesome; these beverages may cause heartburn or make morning sickness worse.
Cure Morning Sickness By Avoiding Triggers
Morning sickness can be triggered by many things. For some women, their sense of smell becomes more sensitive during pregnancy, and certain once-pleasant aromas become intolerable. Cologne, perfume, certain foods or other smells may bring on a bout of morning sickness or make it worse. To cure morning sickness, try to avoid triggers which seem to bring it on. For example, if your husband’s cologne makes you feel ill, ask him to apply it outside so the smell doesn’t linger.
It may come as a surprise that some of your favorite foods may begin to offend you once pregnant. There is no arguing with your body, however, so it is wise to pay attention to what it tells you. Avoid morning sickness by restricting overly pungent or sweet items, no matter what you normally indulge in. Also, be sure to avoid cold deli meats, soft cheeses, undercooked eggs, raw fish and other foods risky to pregnant women. These foods can not only exacerbate morning sickness, causing digestion issues such as vomiting and diarrhea, they can actually be dangerous to your unborn baby.
Modify Behavior To Cure Morning Sickness
You can help prevent and cure morning sickness by changing small things about the way you go about your day. For example, when you eat, refrain from drinking. This means that for 20 minutes before and 20 minutes after meals, avoid drinking any liquid to prevent a “sloshy” feeling in your stomach that could lead to nausea or vomiting. Keeping your food down is important, as you’re providing nourishment for two, so try to follow this rule to prevent morning sickness and ensure proper nutrition for baby.
Laying on the left side may help some pregnant women deal with their morning sickness. This is also the preferred side for stopping contractions and easing lower back aches common later in pregnancy. Apparently, more blood flow is allowed to occur when a woman lays on this side and this can help the body deal with a number of problems more easily. It can also help the woman relax, thereby easing her morning sickness.
When To Seek Help For Morning Sickness
If you cannot stop vomiting for more than 12 hours, and cannot keep any food or liquid down, seek the advice or care of a doctor. There are medications your doctor can provide you that may be safe during pregnancy that can help control your nausea or vomiting. In severe cases of morning sickness, fluids may need to be replenished and the baby may need to be checked. Always seek medical attention right away if any symptoms of your pregnancy do not feel right or are not manageable at home.
