One of the most prominent and unpredictable symptoms of pregnancy is morning sickness. It can often be the first sign of pregnancy, hitting women in the first 12 weeks (1st trimester). Usually morning sickness dwindles away as the pregnancy goes on. However, some women experience it throughout the entire pregnancy.
Although there is no exact cause known, there are several key tips that may help you deal with unpredictable morning sickness.
1) Talk to your doctor about your prenatal vitamins
Some women may experience morning sickness after they take their prenatal vitamins. These vitamins are essential to the growth of your baby, especially during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. If you think that your vitamins are making you nauseous, talk to your doctor. They may be able to prescribe a different type of vitamin or even give you a chewable form. You shouldn’t try to change your dosage or quit taking your vitamins on your own. Always discuss your options with your doctor.
2) Try to identify some of the triggers
Try to figure out what smells set the sickness off. If you can’t stand the smell of a chicken frying or french fry grease, then try to avoid restaurants that give off this odor. Avoid cooking foods that bother you. Certain smells and tastes can be blamed for a lot of your morning sickness. You may help lower your chance of getting sick if you avoid them.
3) Keep certain foods on hand
It may be a good idea to keep a few crackers (saltine work well) on your nightstand. They may help calm your stomach before you get out of bed in the morning. You may also experiment with a few dry cereals. Ginger Ale has also been found to help many women who suffer from morning sickness. Eat small portions of foods in case you do get sick. You may have to try a few different things before you find out what type of cracker or cereal will help you.
4) Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated. Lack of hydration can make some women more nauseous. Also, if you become too dehydrated, you may have to go to the hospital. Try sipping some fluids throughout the day. You should see a doctor if you are throwing up more than four times per day, look pale or faint, and are losing weight.
5) Listen to your body
A lot of times, your body is simply sending you a message to slow down. You may be overwhelmed at work or home and attempting to do too many things at once. Learn to set aside some time for you to relax, watch your favorite show, or even take a cat nap.
Morning sickness can be a very misleading term. It doesn’t necessarily affect a woman just in the morning. It may hit you in the evening or even throughout the night. It could even wake you up from sleep. If you are still suffering, you may consider a home remedy, such as pregnancy popsicles. You may also want to talk to your doctor who could prescribe something to help alleviate the symptoms, such as a pregnancy bracelet. They work in much the same way that a motion sickness patch does.
It’s important to remember what works for one woman may not work for another. You should try several different options and find out what seems to help you the most. Always discussing your options with your doctor is a good idea. They can often offer valuable insight into home remedies and even prescriptions that may help.
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