Say thank you hormones! I still remember the day, being just 7 weeks pregnant, lying on my couch thinking, what have I done? I wanted to get pregnant, but I didn’t sign up for the the “Oh no, I have to throw up, right now!” And most of time it was foods that I had loved when I wasn’t pregnant, the one that got me the worst, my coffee! I couldn’t even go in the store with my husband and wait while he ordered…it was that bad. So from a mom who was nauseous from the moment I got out of bed to the moment I went back to bed here are some tips for making it better:
In the morning
- Allow extra time to get out of bed and start your day moving.
- Keep a light carbohydrate snack and water near you bed so you can eat a little before lifting your head off the pillow.
Throughout the day
- Grazing is the key. Eat little amounts of food every two to three hours regardless of being hungry or not – some believe that low blood sugar causes the nausea to be worse.
- Stay hydrated by drinking 10 to 12 glasses of water, fruit juice or herbal tea each day.
- Avoid food containing a lot of fat or spices.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
- Eat dry crackers or toasted bread.
- Ginger tea, ginger tablets and ginger ale can help reduce nausea.
- Take frequent naps.
- Move slowly and avoid sudden movements.
- Avoid smells that make you feel sick or throw up.
- Don’t brush your teeth immediately after eating because this can cause vomiting.
- Get some fresh air daily.
- Exercise.
At night
- Before going to bed have a light carbohydrate and protein snack (sandwich, or cereal and milk)
- Restock your foods next to the bed!
For signs for when to call the doctor, click on:
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/morningsickness.html
Natural remedies…try the following links:
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/healthconditionsdisease/a/morningsickness.htm
http://www.babycenter.com/0_morning-sickness-causes-concerns-treatments_254.bc
