Morning sickness is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms. And it doesn’t just happen in the morning—many women feel nauseous all throughout the day, barely able to keep down food.
Here are some natural remedies for morning sickness. No, they won’t make morning sickness go away (the condition usually disappears in the second or third trimester, when hCG hormone levels stabilize). But these tips can help you feel more comfortable and temporarily alleviate it so you can enjoy a meal.
Ginger tea
Ginger is one of the oldest and most effective cures for nausea. You can make your own ginger tea by boiling ginger slices in water, or you can buy them in convenient sachet form so you can enjoy a cup at work. The warm tea will also help settle your stomach after a meal.
Eat smaller but more frequent meals
You are more prone to experiencing bouts of morning sickness when your stomach becomes empty. It’s best to eat smaller meals and then snack frequently. But to avoid gaining too much weight, choose something low-fat like crackers or fruit.
You may also want to start and end the day with a snack, instead of a heavy breakfast or dinner. Have light toast and tea as soon as you get out of bed, and then have your ‘main breakfast’ in the middle of the day.
Sniff in the scent of lemon
The smell of lemon can help alleviate morning sickness. You can use aromatherapy oils or candles, or just breathe in the scent of fresh lemon rind.
Get plenty of fresh air
Many women feel nauseous when they ‘re exposed to strong smells. IF you can, open the windows and let in the fresh air. This will help clear the room of any strong, musty smells. If you can’t open the windows, take a short and invigorating walk when the air is at its freshest: early morning.
Suck on ice chips
When you feel the urge to vomit, suck on cold ice chips. Many women say that this is very comforting and can help minimize the strong waves of morning sickness. You can even freeze fresh lemonade in an ice cube tray—the sourness can also help make you feel less nauseous.
Drink water between, not during, meals
Drinking water while you eat can wreak havoc on your already-sensitive stomach acids. Wait 15 to 20 minutes after eating before taking in any liquids.
Know your morning sickness triggers
Observe what foods tend to trigger your morning sickness. For some women it’s a strong smell, others feel queasy when they eat something that’s fried in a lot of oil. Try to find the ‘pattern’ and then choose recipes accordingly. Steam fish instead of frying, or cut back on strong spices.
Check if your prenatal vitamin has vitamin B
Studies show that Vitamin B can help control the symptoms of morning sickness. It is also one of the most important nutrients during pregnancy.
Photo from healtips.com