6 Ways to Combat Morning Sickness

Up to two thirds of pregnant women experience some form of morning sickness during pregnancy. High levels of hormones, variations in blood pressure and immense physical changes can all contribute to a woman being nauseous, vomiting and even feeling depressed in her first trimester.

Morning sickness can start in the 4^th week, and usually ends by week 14, however a small number of women can experience it throughout their pregnancy. Although it can be worse in the morning, the nausea may continue throughout the day and night.

Here are 6 tips on how to deal with morning sickness

1. Drink up. Getting enough fluids is more important than getting enough solids, particularly if vomiting is leaving you dehydrated. Sipping flat lemonade or coconut water or diluted cordial in small amounts can help keep you hydrated. Drinks with a small amount of sugar seem to be better tolerated. Clear soups and teas can also help. If these don’t sound appealing try sucking on ice cubes, or icy poles.
2. Keep a stash of simple snacks, such as crackers, by your bed. Nausea can be worse on an empty stomach, especially after a long night’s sleep. Nibbling on a few salty crackers 20 to 30 minutes before getting up may help you feel better if you wake up nauseated.
3. Try Ginger. There is evidence that ginger can help to settle nausea in pregnant women and in many cultures, ginger is used to relieve indigestion. Try drinks with real ginger content like ginger ale or make some ginger tea by grating some fresh ginger into hot water. Eating ginger candies, biscuits or crystallized ginger also may help.
4. Vitamin B6. A little extra vitamin B6 has been shown to reduce morning sickness symptoms in some women. A dose of 25 mg three times a day has shown to be effective, to reduce nausea. Elevit make a morning sickness tablet that combines both Vitamin B6 and ginger. Speak to a healthcare professional to see if this is something you could try.
5. Try Sea-bands. These 1-inch wide bands put pressure on acupressure points in the inner wrist. They cause no side effects, are safe for mother and baby and have been shown to lessen pregnancy nausea.
6. Lemons. Many women find the smell and taste of lemons comforting during morning sickness. Sucking sour lemon lollies or a smelling a freshly-cut lemon may be help relieve the nausea.

When to get extra help?

If you are so nauseated that you can't keep anything down including water, vitamins and food, you may have a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. In this case, you may need to be treated with IV fluids and medications in the hospital.

Talk to your doctor or midwife you vomit blood, have signs of have signs of dehydration, including dark urine or infrequent urination, or other symptoms like fever and abdominal pain along with vomiting.