Why do they call it morning sickness when it can last all day long?
What a misnomer! That queasy, sick feeling has a way of popping up any time and lingering for as long as it would like. There are a precious few women who don’t experience morning sickness, but that is not the norm. It’s a common side affect of pregnancy that has forced women to cope with it well into the second trimester. For some unlucky women, it may linger throughout the entire pregnancy.
Researchers have not specifically identified the causes of morning sickness, and chalk it up to all the changes that happen in a woman’s body during pregnancy. Some even say that it is the body’s natural defense mechanism, warning mothers to stay away from foods that will be potentially harmful. But regardless of the cause, since indigestion and nausea can’t be done away with altogether, they must be dealt with. Here are some tips to help you survive what feels like the roller-coaster ride of pregnancy:
1. Take two crackers…
Two crackers before your head leaves the pillow is old but wise advice. In other words, put some food on your stomach first thing in the morning before you get active to help keep your stomach settled.
2. Smaller is better
Smaller frequent meals can also help keep an ailing belly at bay. Remember, your organs are shifting and the baby might be pressing on the stomach area, so there is less space for the stomach to expand for a heavy meal. Try eating smaller portions or dividing the meal into courses, eating each component of the meal (meat, veggies, starch, salad, etc.) separately and giving them time to digest.
3. When in doubt, do without
Avoid foods and smells that seem to trigger nausea. It may seem like this will be nearly every food or every smell, but once you identify the sensory culprits, avoid them like the plague.
4. Stabilize the sugar
No, that doesn’t mean to load up on sweets at mealtime. The sugar we’re talking about is in your blood. Eating something high in protein before going to bed helps your blood sugar stay more level.
5. Ginger is great!
Ginger in any form such as teas, cookies and even the spice itself can be helpful in preventing nausea. Peppermint is another great natural nausea killer. Either smelling it in aromatherapy form or sipping peppermint tea can help curb nausea. It’s also known to help with sagging energy levels.
6. Keep it cool
Have sips of ice water as the urge to purge strikes. Many women say that this helps them keep meals down as well.
7. Apply the pressure
Acupressure bands can be worn like bracelets and can curb nausea while you wear them. But be forewarned as one mom says, stand next to a bucket when you take them off!
8. Breathe easy
Don’t underestimate the power of your will. It might be mind over matter. Simply take a deep breath when nausea creeps in. It may not curb the nausea but it just might you kept you from loosing your lunch.
9. Monitor your diet
Eat and enjoy the foods that you can, discard those you can’t and modify your diet accordingly. Slowly add more foods to your diet one at a time.
10. Be prepared
We all need a little help to get through the day. Turn your travel bag into your personal “Nausea Kit.” A diaper bag like this one includes a smaller bag that can be filled with items like a gallon-size resealable plastic food bags (unzipped and ready to go) along with a small paper or grocery bag to put it in when used, gum, mints, hard candies, toothbrush, toothpaste, travel-size toothpaste, chewable antacid, bottle of water, crackers, pack of tissues, wet wipes and a calming lavender mist. Choose the items that work best for you and keep it handy for those times when nausea strikes.
