Nausea During Pregnancy

Nausea during pregnancy can be one of the most frustrating of all of the common pregnancy problems. One minute you feel hungry enough to eat a feast, and the next you feel sick at the faintest smell of food you used to love.

Does it make sense? Not really. But does anything make sense about hormones? You can probably attribute your nausea to the change in hormones.

The pregnancy nausea, also known as morning sickness, does not even hit everyone in the morning. For some, it lasts all day. For others, it is worse at night. Unfortunately, you cannot pick and choose when it will hit.

Thankfully, there are some things you can try to help alleviate some of the pregnancy nausea! Each individual is so different when it comes to nausea during pregnancy, so it’s important to try different things to find what works for you.

• Eat smaller, more frequent meals (every 2-3 hours).

• Avoid the spicy, strong foods that have a nauseating aroma.

• Before your feet hit the floor in the morning, eat a few crackers or piece of toast.

• If possible, make it a relaxed morning routine.

• Avoid high-fat foods if they upset your stomach.

• Try lemon-flavored drinks or ginger ale.

• Eat a snack before bedtime.

• Pay close attention to which types of food make you feel the nausea worse and avoid those!

• Do whatever works (within reason)! If the only thing you can eat in the morning is a pack of crackers and ginger ale, eat it! As long as you are only eating this way only temporarily, it is acceptable to have a few foods here and there that are not nutrient-dense.

There are some cases where it actually puts the expectant mother at risk for dehydration and weight loss, because of the frequent vomiting. If the “morning sickness” lasts past the first trimester or is severe, consult your health care provider.

Just remember that you are not alone in the misery of nausea during pregnancy and it will be worth it!