Morning Sickness Survival Strategies

Posted on Apr 4, 2012 | Articles, Treating Morning Sickness Category | | Print This Article

For many women, the onset of morning sickness is the first real sign that they’re pregnant. We’ve all heard of it, and none of us, not even those who desperately want a baby, look forward to going through it. Yet, for most women, like it or not, it’s part of the package.

Nearly three out of four women experience morning sickness at some point during their pregnancy. This can range from slight nausea to vomiting. About half of all pregnant women vomit while experiencing morning sickness.

The bad news? There really isn’t a cure. The good news? It doesn’t last forever. So buckle up and hold on. You’ll make it through this.

While there is no surefire way to get rid of all morning sickness, there are some things you can do to prevent or lighten the symptoms. Here are some of the best ways to survive the dreaded morning sickness:

• Always keep soda crackers or saltines with you. Eating a cracker or two is one of the best ways to calm your stomach, and you may find at times that it’s about the only thing you can eat without getting sick. Some also find that eating a couple of crackers a few minutes before meals helps them keep their food down.

• Don’t be afraid to take a day off. Whether you work outside the home or work as a homemaker, chances are that you work hard on a daily basis. If you are sick, take a sick day. Even if you are a homemaker, there’s nothing wrong with declaring today a “day off” if you’re dealing with a particularly rough bout of morning sickness.

• Make sure you’re not skipping meals. You may have to make a second, or even a third attempt at eating, but nutrition is very important for you and your baby right now. If you are unable to keep down food for two or more meals in a row, consult with your doctor. She may be able to prescribe medication to reduce the effects of morning sickness.

• Eat small meals, and eat frequently. Keep plenty of healthy snacks and small, easy meals on hand.

• Avoid spicy foods, especially if the smell makes you nauseous.

• Peppermint or ginger tea can help. Make sure any tea you drink is either non caffeinated or that you limit your intake to one cup per day.

Most important of all, when your stomach can’t seem to take anything and you’re feeling terrible, remind yourself: this doesn’t last forever. In most cases, it’s over in three months or less.

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