Tips for Managing Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is one of the most exhausting aspects of pregnancy. Not only is your body expending energy to grow a new life inside of you, but you are also in a state of frequent sickness.
Morning sickness doesn’t happen only in the morning either (although that’s when it is most common). Many women experience morning sickness all day, especially in early pregnancy.
Feeling nauseous at all hours of the day can disrupt your sleep pattern, make you reluctant to eat, and make it hard for you to live your daily life.
In short, morning sickness is very disruptive. While there is no cure for morning sickness, there are ways to manage symptoms and help your body return to a semblance of normal.
In this post, we will go over some tips to help you manage your morning sickness.
Managing Your Morning Sickness
Morning sickness can be triggered by numerous stimuli, from smells to sounds, to colors.
The most impactful thing you can do is identify the stimuli which trigger your morning sickness and avoid those things. This could be anything from the smell of cooking meat to the sight of over-ripe fruit.
Be honest about what worsens your morning sickness and inform your support network so they can help you avoid those stimuli.
Next, if your morning sickness is too severe to manage or getting worse, schedule an appointment with a doctor. They may be able to give you prescription medication to help, or it could be you have something besides morning sickness that is causing you to feel ill.
In terms of over-the-counter remedies, there are two paths to consider. The most common is ginger supplements. Women and medical professionals all over the world have found that ginger can help reduce the effects of morning sickness in most cases. Although it is not completely effective, ginger can help. B-6 supplements can also be effective when trying to combat morning sickness.
It is also important to remember that moderate to severe vomiting can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Be sure to carefully measure your fluid intake and sip water and ginger ale often.
Lifestyle Remedies
Beyond medical help and supplements, there are some lifestyle choices you can make to help with morning sickness.
- Choose foods high in protein and low in fat.
- Avoid greasy, spicy, or fatty foods.
- Bananas, rice, apple sauce, and other bland foods are your friends.
- Snack on bland food often throughout the day. Your stomach should not be too full or too empty.
- Sip water and ginger ale often.
- Get plenty of fresh air and take frequent walks.
- Take the time to rinse your mouth after vomiting.
Alternative Remedies
There are other paths to relief that you can take. Although they do not work for everyone, they can provide relief in some cases.
- Acupressure wrist bands have been effective in relieving morning sickness in some women.
- Acupuncture from a skilled professional can help cause pain relief.
- Aromatherapy can help identify both negative and positive triggers.
Managing Your Morning Sickness for an Easier Pregnancy
Nobody wants to deal with morning sickness, but over 70% of pregnant women experience morning sickness of some kind.
The most impactful thing you can do to reduce morning sickness is to make changes to your diet and exercise patterns. This can be difficult, especially if you are feeling ill, but small changes can make a big difference.
Sometimes, all you need is a little support. That’s what your doula is here for. Reach out to Tamara at any time to discuss your morning sickness, pregnancy struggles, or any other issues you are having. Tamara is your doula, and she is here for you 24/7/365.
