The term “morning sickness” may be a bit misleading, because during pregnancy you may be affected by nausea and vomiting at any time during the day or night. You might even feel sick all day. Roughly half of pregnant women experience morning sickness.
At Eve Medical of Miami, our staff has helped many women through the difficulties of morning sickness. In this post, we offer our five best tips for managing it.
Doctors describe morning sickness as persistent feelings of nausea. They can develop at any time during the day.
Morning sickness is a common part of pregnancy for many women, and it happens because your hormone levels change so dramatically. Your blood sugar may also drop suddenly, which can cause nausea, and you may feel sick in reaction to certain strong scents.
Many women find the symptoms of morning sickness diminish by the end of the first trimester, but for some people, the nausea can last well into their second trimester.
In order to keep your stomach settled and avoid vomiting, our experts recommend the following:
Some foods cause an increase in stomach acid production, and that can make you more likely to feel nauseous. Spicy foods and fried foods are the two most common culprits.
Along with avoiding foods that may trigger nausea, consider your portion sizes. Eat smaller portions, but don’t ever skip meals. An empty stomach is more likely to bring on queasiness.
Make sure you’re consuming an appropriate amount of protein, and keep salted crackers on hand for those moments you do feel nauseous.
Drinking enough water is a healthy choice generally, but when you’re trying to avoid morning sickness, it’s especially important. Dehydration during pregnancy can be dangerous, as it’s linked to some serious complications like low amniotic fluid and even premature labor.
If you find it difficult to drink water, try sucking on ice chips to keep yourself hydrated until you feel better.
During pregnancy, your senses are heightened, especially your sense of smell. Any time you suddenly feel nauseous, take a moment to notice your environment. Is there a strong smell, like perfume or food? Try to avoid the ones that seem to trigger your nausea.
If at all possible, step outside for fresh air when you begin to feel sick. You may even find you need to use different household products, like soaps or cleaning products.
As odd as it may seem, time spent looking at screens can strain your eyes and contribute to feelings of morning sickness. Try to reduce your screen time, or if that’s not possible, consider blue blocking glasses or screen protectors.
In some cases, vitamins and supplements can lead to morning sickness. Many supplements should be taken with food to prevent nausea. If you suspect that your vitamins or supplements could be contributing to your morning sickness, discuss it with your doctor. They may have suggestions to help.
If morning sickness is disrupting your life, schedule an appointment at Eve Medical of Miami. We may have additional guidance based on your specific situation.
