Morning sickness affects about half of all pregnant women. Although it is called morning sickness, the nausea can happen at any time of the day or night. The degree of sickness varies. Some women feel a little queasy in the morning, but can still get through the day fine. Other women are sick all day.
In most cases, morning sickness disappears after the first trimester. Some women continue to experience symptoms into the second trimester. A few may experience morning sickness throughout the pregnancy. Fortunately, this is very rare. There are several, non medical, natural remedies that may help relieve symptoms. You should always report morning sickness to your health care provider and discuss treatment.
Some women are able to control the nausea through diet. Certain foods can trigger nausea, so figure out your triggers and avoid them. Fatty and spicy foods are common triggers, but the offending foods vary for each woman. Also avoid foods with strong smells, such as coffee, seafood and garlic. These can trigger nausea in many women.
For some women, having an empty stomach makes nausea worse. To stay feeling well, try to keep something in your stomach. This is easier if you concentrate on eating six small meals each day rather than three larger meals. Include foods rich in iron and protein. Eating a snack that contains protein just before bed is helpful for many women.
Protein rich foods:
* Milk
* Yogurt
* Meat or poultry
* Peanut butter
* Eggs
* Cheese
* Tofu
Iron rich foods:
* Beef, lamb, dark meat turkey
* Broccoli, green beans, green leafy vegetables
* Potatoes
* Tofu, soy
* Fortified cereals and breads
Choose beverages carefully to keep morning sickness under control. It’s important to stay well hydrated. Becoming dehydrated will make nausea worse. If you are throwing up, staying hydrated is even more important. Drink plenty of water every day. Stay away from caffeinated beverages, which may make you feel worse. Drink juices, water and milk. When you are feeling nauseous, drinking herbal teas or ginger ale may help.