Somewhere during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, many women will experience a recurring feeling of nausea. This sensation can get quite hard to bear for some expectant moms. It’s generally known as morning sickness and hormonal changes are the culprit behind it.
Although it’s not a serious issue, severe cases have been known to leave some pregnant moms feeling miserable and even helpless.
Could your diet have anything to do with it?
It’s a common belief that fried, spicy, or greasy foods can aggravate the feeling of nausea and in many cases, it has been proven so. That’ll surely dampen the mood of any pregnant mama who is craving for a hot bowl of delicious curry mee! — May we suggest a steaming bowl of bee-hoon soup instead, till morning sickness is well out of the way?
Another culprit is sweet, sugary foods — and no, we’re not making this up! If you don’t believe us, cut them out and you may see a difference.
Actions to take
So, how can you beat that nauseating feeling? One of the many ways you can try is also the simplest — eat some dry toast or crackers. It’s a known fact that a few crackers in the morning help to ease morning sickness. If that does not appeal to you, try vinegar potato chips instead, for they may help too. A glass of orange juice, early in the morning, is said to help in some, but not all cases of morning sickness.
Another little tip is to take a small meal of protein-rich foods such as skinless chicken, nuts (almonds), and peanut butter before going to bed, for it’s been known to ease the queasiness that is to come in the morning.
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 this vomiting sensation.
Vitamin B seems to help too — Studies have shown that foods high in this vitamin, such as breakfast cereals, cashew nuts, potato, and wheat bran, can help reduce the severity of morning sickness.
It’s called morning sickness but…
Although it’s called morning sickness, it does not mean that the uneasiness is experienced only in the morning. It may occur at any time and may even last the entire day!
The simple, humble remedy
Having a few dry crackers even before stepping out of bed in the morning is said to help ease the dreaded morning nausea.
Keep hydrated on the right fluids
Dehydration has also been associated with the feeling of nausea. So keep your pregnant 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.
Mealtimes and portions
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. Try six to seven small meals, throughout the day and see if it will help.
Keep in mind too that sleeping on an empty stomach during pregnancy can also trigger this sick feeling. Frequently eating small meals is necessary to keep this vomiting sensation at bay.
Be a sniffer!
The aroma of peppermint can also help to relieve issues related to pregnancy. Inhaling peppermint scents or its essential oil can also bring a considerable amount of relief.
Get some fresh air
A congested room with all the windows closed is not only unhealthy for anyone, but it might also escalate 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.
