Picture this: you are sailing through your early pregnancy days with just a little soreness in your breasts and an increase in your trips to the washroom. But nothing that you can’t handle! Until one day, you wake up feeling real queasy.
You feel like you have got a bad case of butterflies in your tummy or a bout of seasickness. While the symptoms may be surprising, this occurrence is very common during pregnancy and is referred to as morning sickness.
The symptoms that morning sickness brings along, such as vomiting and nausea, can put a real damper on your days. In fact, chances are, you will have to deal with them for quite some time.
What Is Morning Sickness
Vomiting and nausea that occur during pregnancy are commonly referred to as morning sickness. More than 85% of women experience this condition during their pregnancies.
Despite its name, morning sickness may occur either during the day or even at night. The condition usually starts by the 4th week of pregnancy and usually subsides by the 16th week.
What Are The Symptoms
Morning sickness is characterised by the following symptoms:
- A nauseous feeling that can surface at any time of the day.
- Strong aversions towards certain foods and fragrances.
- A seasick feeling followed by severe hunger pangs.
- Dehydration, weakness, and lightheadedness
- Loss of appetite
Tips For Dealing With Morning Sickness
It may not be possible to stop vomiting or nausea completely, but you can try to control the symptoms with the tips mentioned below.
- Avoid Foods that Make you Uncomfortable
Morning sickness can cause severe food aversions. Many foods can leave you feeling sick. We suggest you stick to low salt, carb-rich, and easy-to-digest foods such as bananas, rice, and toast.
In case you are worried about not getting enough nutrients, you can try having chicken soup or a protein-rich supplement. It will give you the required strength, keep you hydrated, and also increase your calorie intake.
Strictly avoid spicy and fatty foods in your diet and try to add some cold treats such as popsicles and ice creams.
In fact, clinical studies have reported that ginger can help relieve nausea. So you can even try making a ginger mint tea or popsicle and dig into it when you feel nauseous.
- Stay Hydrated
This may sound like a no-brainer, but staying hydrated can take monumental effort when your stomach won’t keep anything down.
However, it is crucial to stay hydrated and consume enough liquids during this time. This is because the more dehydrated you are, the more nauseated you will feel!
If you are not in the mood to drink plain water, try having sports drinks. Electrolyte replacement sports drinks can restore depleted nutrients and make you feel better.
Make sure to have small sips if you are feeling nauseous and do not over-sip them.
- Get Some Sleep
Sometimes the best solution to cope with nausea is to lie down. Just lie down, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and try to get some sleep.
Your body needs this rest and it can also help you escape morning sickness. Create a comfortable environment by putting down the blinds and wearing a sleep mask to send you straight to dreamland.
If you already have young kids, you can get a babysitter or ask a family member to watch over them so that you can get a little extra sleep.
- Wear an Acupuncture Band
Therapies such as acupuncture and acupressure can also help relieve nausea. Applying pressure on a specific point can help reduce the morning sickness symptoms.
Many studies have reported that the stimulation of the P6 (Nei Guan) point can reduce the frequency and severity of vomiting during pregnancy.
This can be achieved by investing in an acupuncture wristband that provides pressure on the P6 point to relieve nausea. Moreover, acupuncture doesn’t pose any risk to the baby, so you can try this therapy treatment without any concern.
- Focus on your Breathing
Incorporating 10 minutes of breathing exercises into your daily routine is essential if you are struggling with nausea. These exercises can also help keep your mind and body calm.
Start with sitting in an upright position and gently closing your eyes. Place your hands on your belly and take a deep breath through your nose. Feel your belly rise and your diaphragm expand.
Hold the position for a few seconds and then exhale through your mouth. Repeat this cycle 10 times to get relief from morning sickness symptoms.
- Consider Taking Medications
If you are struggling to keep anything down, it’s time to see a doctor. Medicines with Vitamin B6 and acid reflux blockers have been shown to bring relief to a lot of women experiencing severe vomitting and nausea.
Once your doctor prescribes you medications, make sure to take them regularly, as it will benefit both you and your baby.
- Distract Yourself
It may not be easy to ignore your symptoms completely, but try to find something that takes your mind off the queasy feeling. You can try reading a book, playing your favourite game, or going for a short walk.
In some cases, exercise can help relieve nausea but make sure to consult your doctor before deciding whether to work out or not.
Most importantly, even if you are exercising, don’t go at it hard, listen to your body, and stop when you begin to feel tired.
When To See A Doctor
Morning sickness is pretty much harmless—both for you and the baby. But in some cases, the condition can turn severe and you may need to consult your doctor immediately.
Seek medical advice if:
- Your nausea and vomitting have turned severe.
- You are feeling dizzy when standing.
- You are unable to keep any food or liquid down.
- You feel like your heart is pounding or racing.
Although morning sickness is temporary, the constant feeling of nausea and the urge to vomit can be quite frustrating. Check with your doctor to know more remedies and alternative treatments to manage your symptoms.
