Morning sickness is common in pregnant women and can persist throughout pregnancy. Anti-nausea medications should only be used under a doctor’s direction. Eating a light snack before bed and ginger can help minimize nausea. Avoiding foods that cause nausea is also recommended. Hormones, especially estrogen, are the main cause of morning sickness.
Morning sickness occurs with degrees of severity in pregnant women. Although it usually occurs most in the first trimester, it can persist throughout pregnancy, causing nausea or vomiting. The feeling of nausea during pregnancy is not limited to the morning as the name “morning sickness” suggests. Many women find that they are most nauseous or physically ill soon after getting out of bed, but that at any time of day certain smells or tastes of certain foods can trigger tummy troubles.
To minimize morning sickness, do not use prescription or over-the-counter anti-nausea medications unless directed by your doctor. These can create problems in the development of the unborn child and their benefits must be weighed against the risks of their use. However, if you have frequent violent vomiting, you should definitely discuss it with a doctor. Some women appear to be particularly prone to very aggressive forms of morning sickness and require medical attention to maintain health and adequate nutrition during pregnancy.
There are a few things that can help minimize mild nausea. First, don’t get out of bed without eating a few crackers or pretzels in the morning. It is best to keep a supply near the bed. If you can drink some milk and have a helper available, have someone bring you a glass of milk in the morning before you get out of bed. Because a pregnant woman’s nutritional needs change during pregnancy, it is thought that low blood sugar after several hours of sleep and fasting can make morning sickness worse.
It may be helpful to have a light snack before bed. Keep snacking light, as too much food overnight can translate to morning sickness the next day or indigestion at night. A couple of crackers or pretzels tend to do the trick, perhaps with a glass of milk or a little yogurt.
You can also minimize morning sickness with ginger. Some suggest ginger ale, but actually, even a small amount of ginger in a cup of warm water can quell nausea. Also, don’t try to eat foods that make you feel bad. Some doctors theorize that pregnant women are particularly sensitive to toxins in foods during pregnancy. If something makes you nauseous, and this can vary wildly, don’t try to eat it or you risk getting sick. When you can, ask others in the family to help you by not preparing foods that make you feel bad. For example, if the smell of coffee causes nausea or vomiting, ask a spouse to switch to tea, cocoa or instant coffee.
The main reason women get sick is because of the extra levels of hormones, especially estrogen, in the body during pregnancy. Some women seem to have a greater adverse reaction than others, and women who have been very ill with one pregnancy may have subsequent pregnancies without many illnesses. Typically, women get used to the hormones after a couple of months and find that most morning sickness symptoms subside.
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