Morning Sickness Relief

Posted on Jul 15, 2011 | Articles Category | | Print This Article

Pregnancy morning sickness occurs in 50 to 80% of new mom’s to be. While the name would imply that this ailment only occurs in the morning, many women find that it can strike at any time of the day. Most cases of pregnancy morning sickness occur between the 4th and 6th week of pregnancy and lasts until the 14th to 16th week. Unfortunately, some women will experience pregnancy morning sickness all through out their pregnancy.

What Can I Do To Get Morning Sickness Relief?

Unfortunately, there is no one tried and true method that will relieve everyone’s case of morning sickness. The only way to find what works for you is by trial and error. Below you will find ideas which you can try:

• Try taking your prenatal vitamins later in the day.
• Vitamin B6 – 50 mg. daily. Vitamin B6 has been shown to help with pregnancy induced nausea. There are also products available now which contain therapeutic doses of Vitamin B6. One is B-Natal TheraPops are cherry flavored lollipops which have been shown to reduce pregnancy morning sickness. Another Vitamin B-6 enriched product is called Morning Sickness Magic. Morning Sickness Magic is a herbal remedy containing Ginger, Vitamin B-6, Red Raspberry Leaf and Folic Acid.
• Ginger in capsules form 250 mg. three times daily can be beneficial. Ginger has long been associated with alleviating nausea. You can also get the benefit of using ginger by chewing on crystallized ginger or sucking on ginger hard candies.
• Avoid warm places as heat can increase the nausea feelings.
• Take naps during the day (but not right after eating). Tiredness plays a big part in morning sickness.
• Get enough sleep at night.
• Get out of bed slowly in the morning.
• Try eating plain crackers or dry cereal before you get out of bed in the morning.
• 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 greasy or spicy foods as they often cause nausea or heartburn.
• Eat what you want when you want it. Your cravings will not lead you the wrong way.
• Have frequent protein snacks. (Low fat meats and seafood, nuts, eggs and beans are high protein.)
• Eat smaller meals every two hours or so.
• Eating something salty before a meal can help you “make it through” a meal.
• Do not drink fluids with your meals.
• Non caffeinated teas like peppermint and ginger can help came nausea.
• Drink small amounts of fluids regularly though out the day to avoid dehydration.
• Do not skip meals if you can help it.
• Avoid spicy and fried food – both eating and smelling it can increase your nausea.
• Cold food may have less nausea inducing smells associated with them.

Doctor Prescribed Medications for Morning Sickness Relief

If your morning sickness is severe enough, your doctor may prescribe medication that will offer you morning sickness relief. If you have morning sickness where you are unable to keep food or water down for any length of time, PLEASE talk to your doctor to see what can be done. Extensive weight loss / dehydration can be harmful to both mom and baby. Your doctor will be able to evaluate your situation and health profile and decide which medication will be most helpful in giving you morning sickness relief. The medications prescribed are administered in three different ways depending on the severity of the morning sickness and the medication: orally, intravenously, and in suppository format.

For an extensive listing of the medications which can be prescribed for severe morning sickness relief, please visit Hyperemesis.org.