Morning Sickness, Nausea & Vomiting

What It Feels Like

Morning sickness is nausea and vomiting that can actually occur at any time of the day during pregnancy. It generally occurs when you haven't eaten for a long period of time, such as after sleeping. 

Nausea is most common in the first trimester but usually lessens later on, tapering off by the second trimester. 

Why do you get morning sickness?

The exact cause of morning sickness is unknown, although some references point to low blood sugar. The pregnancy hormones may also irritate the stomach directly. 

How To Alleviate Morning Sickness

Not all morning sickness remedies will work for you, but here is a collection of suggested remedies. You may have to try a few in order to get some relief.

Be sure to discuss your morning sickness and potential relief with your doctor.

General Remedies:

• Avoid warm places as heat can increase feelings of nausea.
• Take naps during the day (but not right after eating). Fatigue plays a big part in morning sickness.
• Get enough sleep at night.
• Get out of bed slowly in the morning.

Smells:

• Open windows or turn on exhaust fans when cooking and after meals.
• Cooking in the microwave usually produces less odors.
• Silly as it sounds, carry a handkerchief with a few drops of a non-nausea causing essential oil (lemon for example) in it and breath through it if you can't get away from the smell that is bothering you.
• Avoid cigarette smoke and other strong smells.

Food and Drink:

• Food will help you avoid nausea, so eat little and eat often. 
• Eat smaller meals every two hours or so.
• Eat 6 to 8 small meals instead of 3 large meals to keep your stomach from being empty.
• Put a glass of water and a plain cookie by your bed at night. Eat this 15 minutes before you get out of bed in the morning.
• Avoid greasy, fried or spicy foods as they often cause nausea or heartburn. Both eating and smelling it can increase nausea.
• Avoid coffee.
• Eat what you want when you want it. Your cravings will not lead you the wrong way. Of course, don't eat anything that isn't edible or allowed during pregnancy (see Pregnancy Symptoms: Food Cravings for more info).
• Have frequent protein snacks. Examples: meats and seafood, nuts, eggs and beans
• Eating something salty before a meal can help you "make it through" a meal.
• Eat high-carbohydrate foods. Try whole-wheat bread, potatoes, rice and cereals. 
• Do not drink fluids with your meals.
• Don't lie down after meals.
• Non caffeinated teas like peppermint and ginger can help calm nausea.
• Drink small amounts of fluids regularly though out the day to avoid dehydration. Sip on water, weak tea, or clear soft drinks. 
• Eat ice chips.
• Do not skip meals if you can help it.
• Cold food may have less nausea-inducing smells associated with them.
• If you can keep them down, drink fruit juice or skim milk for extra fluids.

Supplements:

• Try taking your prenatals later in the day.
• Talk to your doctor about taking Vitamin B6 - 50 mg. daily. Vitamin B6 has been shown to help with pregnancy induced nausea.
• Talk to your doctor about taking ginger capsules: 250 mg. three times daily. Ginger has long been associated with alleviating nausea. (Remember drinking ginger ale when you felt sick when you were little?)
• Ask your doctor if you can stop taking your Prenatals temporarily to see if the nausea diminishes. You may still need to take a Folic Acid supplement to help protect your baby.
• Talk to your doctor about not taking iron supplements unless you are anemic. Iron supplements can be hard for your stomach to deal with.

Risks To Your Baby

If you vomit more than three times a day for three days, tell your doctor! In severe cases, your doctor may want you to go to the hospital for treatment to replace the fluids that you've lost.