Morning Sickness Got You Down? 5 Tricks to Quell the Queasiness
No matter how many books you read before pregnancy, nothing prepares you for morning sickness. Morning sickness is one of those side effects of pregnancy that most women would like to avoid. If you're experiencing morning sickness, don't despair. Here are some tricks that will help quell the queasiness.
Get an Early Start
If you're in the habit of jumping out of bed as soon as you wake up, you may be setting yourself up for a raging case of morning sickness – especially if your queasiness goes into hyper-drive on an empty stomach. To get control of the queasiness before it starts, eat a small snack before you get out of bed. Keep an orange or a pack of crackers next to your bed. Eating a small snack and drinking a bit of water before you start your day will help reduce the morning sickness.
Eat Smaller Meals
If you're finding that you're getting sick between meals, try eating smaller meals throughout the day. Eating several small meals, instead of three larger meals, may help stabilize your hunger pangs so that you can avoid the debilitating effects of morning sickness. It's also a good idea to keep snacks on hand. Keep a few snacks in your purse, car, and even at the office. That way, you can grab something to nibble on as soon as you start to feel queasy.
Try a Bland Diet
Spicy food can increase the symptoms of morning sickness. If you've been battling morning sickness, try switching to a bland diet. Getting rid of the spicy foods will help settle your stomach and reduce the queasiness you're experiencing.
Avoid Dehydration
Dehydration can also ignite the flames of morning sickness. While you're pregnant – and particularly during the morning sickness phase – keep a bottle of water on you at all times. If you can't stomach plain water during pregnancy – many women can't – try adding a dry juice packet to your bottle of water. You can also enjoy frozen grapes, or Popsicles when you're feeling dehydrated.
Talk to Your Doctor
If your morning sickness has gotten out of control, and you're not able to keep any food down, it's time to talk to your doctor. Hyperemesis gravidarum is a condition that can undermine your health and the health of your baby. Some of the warning signs of hyperemesis gravidarum include:
- Severe Nausea
- Decrease in urination
- Headaches
If you experience any of those symptoms, contact an OB/GYN like those at Advanced OB-GYN Services for information about treatment.