Alternative Therapies

Morning sickness refers to the nausea and vomiting that most women experience when they are pregnant. It is very common early in your pregnancy and tends to go away later in the pregnancy. But for some it may last all through the pregnancy. Usually women feel sick throughout the day and not just in the morning.

Here are some tips to relieve your morning sickness through your eating habits:

• Eat smaller meals throughout the day, say after every 3 hours, so that you never feel too hungry or too full. Don’t skip your meals.
• Avoid food that is rich, fatty, greasy, fried or spicy.
• Drink some lemonade or suck on a lemon.
• Ginger is very beneficial for alleviating nausea. Try mixing some ginger pieces with honey and sucking whenever you feel nauseous. Or suck on ginger hard candies. You can also try ginger ale.
• Avoid foods with smells that bother you. Cooking food in the microwave usually produces lesser smells.
• Eat enough carbohydrates like plain baked potato, white rice and toast.
• Try non-caffeinated teas like peppermint and ginger tea.
• Eat some chicken soup. Eat something salty just before a meal, so that you don’t vomit during the meal.
• Eat salted crackers and other bland foods whenever you feel nauseous.
• Try peppermint candy, plain crushed ice, gelatin desserts (Jell-O), flavored frozen desserts, icecreams and pretzels.
• Eat plain crackers or a bowl of cereal in the morning.
• Chew a piece of spearmint or other mint gums. The minty flavor helps your stomach to settle down.
• Eat frequent protein snacks like nuts, seafood, eggs and beans.
• Try eating apples that are a little sour. Or drink apple juice, that is a bit sour.
• Drink small amounts of fluids thoughout the day to prevent dehydration. Drink slowly, a few sips at a time. But avoid drinking between meals.
• Cold foods have less nausea inducing smells.

Other important tips to help you:

• Avoid very warm places, because sometimes heat can also increase the nausea.
• Take small naps during the day, but not right after eating. Lack of rest also increases your sickness.
• Get enough sleep at night.
• Try using acupressure wrist bands or motion sickness wrist bands that people use when travelling by sea. You can get them at most boating stores or travel agencies.
• Get out of bed slowly in the morning.
• Use exhaust fans and windows while cooking to avoid strong odors.
• Take a walk in fresh air, and keep your windows open.
• Stay away from cigarette smoke.

Also read: Caring For Your Teeth During Pregnancy, Underweight Women & Miscarriage, Pregnant Women Should Not Take Paxil Antidepressant.