Beating Morning Sickness

Here you are at week six, when the excitement of being pregnant officially sets in … along with the morning sickness. Are you one of the (un)lucky expectant mothers who get to experience this frustrating symptom? Let's see if we can help!

Why do I feel this way?

Morning sickness (which can happen any time of day) is likely caused by a perfect storm of changes in your newly pregnant body:

• Drops in blood sugar
• A rollercoaster ride of hormones
• Changes to your metabolism
• Increased sensitivity to pollutants, odors, and other environmental triggers
• Higher levels of stress and worry

Will I ever feel better?

The good news is that, for most women, the nausea and vomiting ease up around the time they enter the second trimester. In the meantime, here are a few tips for coping:

• Don't let your stomach get too empty (or too full). Keep saltines on hand to nibble if you start to feel queasy, and try to eat small meals or snacks several times a day.
• Take your prenatal vitamins with a snack, or right before bed, if they bother your stomach.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, fruit juice or ginger ale.
• Stay away from greasy and fatty foods, as well as flavors and odors that turn your stomach.
• Turn on a fan or go outside for some fresh air when you start to feel sick.
• Try wearing acupressure wristbands for a safe, drug-free remedy.
• Take some time to relax and de-stress each day.
• Try eating cool foods like yogurt, salads, fruit and even cold soup. (Warm foods tend to have stronger smells and flavors, which can trigger nausea.)
• Eat a snack right before bed—one that contains both protein and complex carbohydrates.
• Carry around essential oils or another type of fragrance that you like, and sniff it whenever you run into a nausea trigger (lemon and orange are popular for this).
• Take an afternoon nap (or two) to keep fatigue at bay, as being tired can aggravate nausea.

For more information on foods and remedies that can help with nausea, click here.