Many pregnant women are no strangers to an unpleasant feeling often caused by hormonal changes, namely, morning sickness. Why it’s called morning sickness is a mystery though, for the uneasiness is often experienced any time of the day, not just in the mornings!
Dietary Changes
Pregnant women who complain of morning sickness are often advised to stay away from fried or greasy foods, as it can aggravate the feeling of nausea. An easy way to decrease nausea considerably is to have some dry toasts or crackers. If that does not appeal to you, try vinegar potato chips instead, for they may help too.
A small meal of protein-rich foods such as skinless chicken, nuts (almonds), and peanut butter before going to bed is also a useful remedy to ease queasiness. Doctors also advice to avoid spicy foods as they are known to trigger chest pain and nausea during pregnancy. When it comes to drinking juices, a glass of orange juice, early in the morning, is said to help in some, but not all cases of morning sickness.
Note: Having a few dry crackers even before stepping out of bed in the morning is said to help ease the dreaded morning nausea.
Ginger for lasting relief
A cup of ginger tea is not only refreshing but is found to be useful in curbing that vomiting feeling. Chewing pieces of crystallized ginger or having ginger tablets or candy can also help relieve nausea.
Vitamin B6 seems to help
Studies have shown that foods high in vitamin B6 can also benefit to reduce the severity of morning sickness. Foods rich in vitamin B6 that can be included in the diet are breakfast cereals, cashew nuts, potato, and wheat bran.
Stay hydrated always
Dehydration has also been associated with morning sickness. So, keep the body well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Water is always your best bet, but if it does not work for you, try some lemonade or sports drinks. Also, avoid caffeinated drinks such as tea and coffee and focus more on healthy drinks.
Have smaller, more frequent meals
Having large meals is a primary contributory factor behind morning sickness. Eating too much leaves one feeling uncomfortably overloaded and that increases nausea. A better option would be to have daily food intake in small portions. 6 to 7 small meals, throughout the day, will help.
Don’t go to bed hungry
Sleeping on an empty stomach during pregnancy can also trigger this sick feeling. Frequently eating small meals is necessary to keep the vomiting sensation at bay.
Aromatherapy with peppermint
The aroma of peppermint can help to relieve issues related to pregnancy. Inhaling peppermint scents or its essential oil can bring a considerable amount of relief.
Well-aerated environment
A congested room with all the windows closed is not only unhealthy for anyone, but it might also worsen nausea in pregnant women. On the other hand, a well-ventilated room promotes the circulation of fresh air, which helps to keep the body healthy and may help keep morning sickness at bay too.
