Managing Nausea & Morning Sickness
About 50% of women suffer from Nausea and Morning Sickness, while it is more common in the morning it can occur at any time of the day. Morning Sickness can begin as early as 2 weeks after your missed period and continue until a couple of weeks after the birth of your baby. Your bodies' hormone level is, once again the reason for this unpleasant part of pregnancy.
Unfortunately, medical experts are unsure of the cure for Morning Sickness, however there are options to help minimize the symptoms.
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Try not to get either too full or too hungry.
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Eat smaller meals or snacks more frequently during the day such as sandwiches, fruit and yoghurt, bowl of rice with milk, crackers with cheese.
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Try to eat and drink slowly, chew food thoroughly.
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If Morning Sickness hits you when you first wake up, eat dry, starchy foods such as dry toast, plain biscuits, crackers or even cold sports drinks before getting out of bed. These foods are easily digested so they will settle your upset stomach rapidly.
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If possible, try to have a rest after eating.
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Sometimes the smell of food can trigger nausea, so try to cook and eat your meals in a well ventilated room or otherwise ask for someone else to cook for you.
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Try to have small sips of liquids frequently such as:
- Cold carbonated drinks (gingerale, lemonade, soda water)
- Sports drinks
- Ice blocks & jelly
- Sucking on plain boiled lollies (barley sugars)
- Clear soup, weak tea or stock cube in water
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Cold foods are often better tolerated than hot foods. Avoid eating hot and cold food together.
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Avoid having liquids and solids at the same time. Leave at least half an hour between them to avoid feeling bloated and nausea.
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Often a low fat, plain and bland diet is better tolerated. This can include lean chicken, potato, low fat milk, yoghurt and cheeses.
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Some foods can make Morning Sickness worse and should be avoided. These can include fried and fatty foods, spicy, seasoned foods and sweet foods.
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Ginger is a natural alternative to helping settle nausea, be it in a tea, soup, and biscuit or in a meal.
If the nausea or Morning Sickness persists, please consult your Medical
Practitioner as soon as possible as this may cause you to become dehydrated.