Home Remedies for Morning Sickness During Pregnancy
About half of all pregnant women experience at least a mild morning sickness during their pregnancies, according to the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada. If you are one of these women, you know how debilitating the nausea and vomiting can be. Unfortunately, medications are seldom an option during these delicate months. Using home remedies to manage your morning sickness is likely your best bet to getting back to a normal life before the baby arrives.
Ginger
Ginger is a spicy and sweet root often used to spice up Asian cuisine. Not only is it tasty, it can ease nausea quickly. Load your fridge with raw ginger root or visit the dried fruit section of the grocery store for dehydrated, sugared, ginger. You may also check the candy section for ginger hard candies. If those items are a little too spicy to handle try some basic ginger ale that is made with real ginger. Not only will the ginger help but the sugar may boost low blood sugar levels aiding in your recovery.
Snack Frequently
The exact cause of morning sickness is not exactly known. However, the National Institutes of Health point to low blood sugar, the result of changing hormones, as a potential cause. For this reason, many women find relief by simply having food on their stomachs. Before heading to bed, make sure you have a few crackers by your bedside. Before getting up for the morning, try eating a few crackers. Continue to snack every one to two hours throughout the day to ward off bouts of nausea or vomiting.
Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins may exacerbate morning sickness symptoms, in some cases. However, if you plan carefully you can reduce or even eliminate this problem. If you frequently feel your symptoms are strongest in the morning, try taking your vitamins right before bed instead of when you wake up. This allows you to get a decent meal on your stomach first. If this does not help, the Mayo Clinic suggest requesting a prenatal vitamin that contains limited amounts of iron.
Take It Easy
As your belly begins to grow, everyone around you will likely plead for you to slow down and get your rest. However, before you begin to show, it is difficult, mentally, to take these same liberties. All the same, a little rest may be just what you need. Perhaps you can work in a nap after work when you are feeling a little queasy or maybe you should request the ability to come into work a few hours later to allow you a few more hours in the morning to cope with your nausea.
