How to Reduce Morning Sickness Symptoms
Morning sickness symptoms can occur at any time of the day or night, regardless of what the term implies. Some women never experience queasiness or nausea at all during their pregnancies. For those who do unfortunately experience the discomfort of nausea, the severity of the condition varies with each individual.
More than 1/3 of pregnant women experience morning sickness. Typically, the symptoms begin around the 4th week of pregnancy and last until the 15th or 16th week. Nausea stems from the higher levels of estrogen in your system and the quick expansion of your uterus.
Once the queasiness starts, it is not likely to disappear in a day or two. The nausea will improve gradually. Some days will be worse than others, and eventually the bad days will diminish and the morning sickness will disappear.
While the symptoms can occur at any time of the day, morning is usually the worst due to low blood sugar after several hours without food. The stomach acids accumulate during your sleeping hours causing irritation.
Before going to bed each night, eat a bit of protein and some natural sugar, such as cheese and fruit juice. Something else that works for many is a sweet snack before bed along with some protein, such as jelly toast and milk.
Rising too rapidly in the morning can also stimulate nausea. Wake early enough to not be rushed, and try nibbling a couple of saltine crackers before rising. Be selective about what you choose for breakfast, avoiding fat and grease. Save acidic foods, such as fruit juice, until the end of the meal. Carnation instant breakfast is an easy choice for breakfast; it comes in chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla flavors and mixes easily with milk.
Vitamin B6 is known to help in the prevention of nausea and has been used for this purpose since the 1940’s. Yogurt is another product that usually helps nausea victims. During times of persistent nausea, lean toward a high-carbohydrate diet with plenty of starches.
Some women find relief on a high-protein diet because it helps maintain a high blood sugar level. An egg mixed in the blender along with some juice and yogurt is a good food source. Eat protein snacks such as milk, cheese, meat, and fish.
Don’t skip meals, and try to consistently snack to keep your stomach from getting empty. Opt for nutritious snacks between meals, and eat five or six smaller meals throughout the day rather than two or three large heavy ones.
Carry a snack bag with you that contains a banana, crispy saltines, graham crackers, and Melba toast. This is good practice for pregnant women, anyway, because after your baby is born, you’ll find that you should always have snacks and nibbles with you when going out with your young one.
Even if you don’t feel like eating, if you can manage a cracker or banana, it will keep your stomach from getting empty and help you avoid any queasiness. Others find relief in a bland baked potato sprinkled with salt. This is a healthy choice because it contains vitamins, minerals, and protein.
If you cannot tolerate food, opt for liquids such as ginger ale, soda, or iced tea. Many women find that crushed ice with juice or non-diet soda works wonders for nausea when they simply cannot stomach a snack.
If you are one of the unfortunate women who simply cannot keep foods down no matter what, your doctor might have no choice but to prescribe medication. It is best if you can avoid all types of drugs during pregnancy, however, so try the natural methods first to find relief. When you feel the morning sickness symptoms coming on, try to get a light snack in your stomach before it gets worse.
