Worried about morning sickness during your pregnancy? You’re not alone. Morning sickness is one of the symptoms that mothers-to-be dread the most. But will it affect you? And if so, what can you do to get through it? Read on to learn more about morning sickness, plus tips and tricks on how to make this part of your pregnancy a little more bearable.

Does Morning Sickness Impact Every Pregnancy?

This unfortunate side effect has become so synonymous with pregnancy that you may think it’s a foregone conclusion. But that’s not necessarily the case! Not every pregnancy causes morning sickness. In fact, only about 50-70% of women experience it during pregnancy.

What Causes Morning Sickness?

It’s not exactly clear why some pregnancies are plagued by nausea. Some researchers have suggested that morning sickness is caused by the hormone HCG, which is produced during pregnancy. Others believe it may be tied to the sharp spike in estrogen. But one thing is clear: morning sickness is a real phenomenon that many pregnant women must contend with. For some women, it can be severe and last for the entire first trimester (or longer).

Is Morning Sickness Bad for My Baby?

No, morning sickness cannot harm your baby. In fact, some researchers believe that it may actually be a good sign. Studies have suggested that women who experience morning sickness are less likely to miscarry than those who don’t.

However, it’s important to manage your morning sickness so that it doesn’t become too severe. If it is preventing you from keeping down food or fluids, you may run the risk of dehydration or insufficient nutrition.

How to Cope with Morning Sickness

If you find yourself experiencing morning sickness, you may be feeling like you drew the short straw. However, there are a few things that may help ease your symptoms.

Hydrate

Drink lots of fluids, especially water. Hydrating helps with the symptoms because it can help settle your stomach. If you find that water makes you feel even more nauseous, try drinking sparkling water or ginger ale instead. The carbonation can help with your nausea.

Eat Frequently (in Smaller Amounts)

Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day instead of three large meals can also ease some morning sickness. This snacking schedule will help keep your stomach from getting too full and will help prevent nausea.

Snack on High-Carb, Low-Fat Options

When you are snacking throughout the day, reach for high-carbohydrate, low-fat foods. These will help give you energy without making your morning sickness worse. Good options include whole grain crackers, toast, or oatmeal. You may even want to eat a cracker or two before you get out of bed in the morning if your nausea tends to be the worst when you first wake up.

Avoid Trigger Foods

While you’re going through morning sickness, certain foods or scents can worsen your nausea and should be avoided when possible. These are different for everyone, but common triggers include strong smells, greasy or spicy foods, and caffeine. If you’re not sure what your triggers are, try keeping a food diary to see if you can identify patterns.

Try Consuming Ginger

Ginger has long been used as a natural remedy for nausea. You can find ginger in many forms, including fresh ginger root, powdered ginger, capsules, lozenges, or even gingersnap cookies! For fast nausea relief, you can steep fresh ginger in hot water to brew homemade ginger tea that can help settle your stomach in a pinch.

Stay Upright After Your Snack

While it may sound counterintuitive, try to stay upright after you eat instead of lying down. Lying down can make the nauseous symptoms worse because it allows stomach acids to rise more easily. So, instead of taking a post-meal nap, try taking a short walk or reading a book instead.

Get Some Fresh Air

Speaking of a short walk, sometimes getting some fresh air can help with morning sickness. If you are feeling nauseous, step outside for a few minutes and take some deep breaths. The fresh air may help settle your stomach.

Adjust Your Prenatal Vitamins

If you are taking prenatal vitamins, they may be making your symptoms worse. For example, some women find that swallowing large pills can set off their gag reflex and contribute to nausea. Talk to your doctor about switching to a different brand or formula of vitamins, such as chewable gummies. You may also want to try taking your vitamins at night instead of in the morning.

Get Plenty of Rest

Pregnancy can be exhausting, and morning sickness can make it even worse. When you’re feeling both tired and ill, it can be a vicious cycle of one exacerbating the other. So make sure to get plenty of rest and relaxation whenever possible.

Wear Anti-Nausea Wristbands

If you find that you are still struggling with morning sickness, there is one alternative method you can try: anti-nausea wristbands. These wristbands work by applying pressure to the pressure point on your wrist. This pressure may help relieve nausea and vomiting and is often used to combat motion sickness.

Talk to Your Doctor

If morning sickness is really interfering with your life, talk to your healthcare provider. They may be able to prescribe medication that can help ease the symptoms.

Enjoy a Stress-Free Pregnancy with OB2Me

Morning sickness doesn’t have to ruin your pregnancy. With a little trial and error, you should be able to find some relief from these bothersome symptoms. Before you know it, it will be a thing of the past!

Looking for more expert help navigating your pregnancy journey? At 2Me Healthcare, we offer private in-home or in-office concierge midwifery care to support you with comfortable prenatal and postpartum care for both you and your family. We are also available to you throughout your labor and delivery at the hospital.

OB2Me provides multiple packages and services to best fit your needs and make your transition from pregnancy to motherhood as stress-free as possible. Just contact our team today to see how working with a dedicated and passionate healthcare provider can make all the difference!