By Mariel Uyquiengco
Morning sickness is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy. It is usually attributed to the hormonal changes that a pregnant body undergoes, though there are a number of other reasons for it. Some women are lucky enough not to vomit or not feel nauseous during their first trimester. However, for a lot of women, dealing with morning sickness is not a pleasant experience at all.
According to the pregnancy guide What to Expect When You Are Expecting by Murkoff, Eisenberg, and Hathaway, there is no cure for morning sickness at present. However, women have found ways to make it at least bearable. Here are 5 things to keep in mind.
Increase your fluid intake
Drinking lots of liquid during pregnancy is a must, especially when you are dealing with morning sickness. If you cannot tolerate solids, try getting your nutrients from shakes and soups.
Avoid foods that you can’t tolerate
A women’s sense of smell becomes sensitive during pregnancy. Avoid foods that distress you and make you want to rush to the bathroom. Sometimes, even the smell of innocuous things, such as toothpaste, can trigger nausea and vomiting! Try sniffing lemon extract or rosemary to keep your morning sickness at bay.
Eat small portions, eat frequently
Going on a diet during pregnancy is never a good idea. Aside from keeping nutrients away from your baby, an empty stomach and low blood sugar will likely trigger nausea. So, eat frequently, and eat well. Keep crackers and dried fruit in your bag for those times that you need to munch something.
Try ginger
The smell of fresh ginger can calm down an upset stomach. Try ginger ale and food rich with fresh ginger to help you in dealing with morning sickness. Try rosemary too, which has the same calming effect.
Take care of yourself
Take care of yourself (and your baby inside you!) and indulge in some self-love. Rest well and avoid stress. Your positive physical and emotional condition can help in curbing morning sickness. In addition, ask your doctor for prenatal supplements that will help compensate for nutrients that you lose through morning sickness or lack of appetite.
Pregnancy is a special and amazing time in a woman’s life. Morning sickness, bloating, and breathlessness are just some of the challenges that a pregnant woman faces. If you are in your first pregnancy and daunted by it, remember that every pain and suffering is forgotten once the newest family member arrives. The only thing that you can do is ride it out and find remedies to make the journey bearable, if not pleasant.
Mariel Uyquiengco hopes to inspire parents to be their children’s first and best teacher. She does this through her blog and online children’s book shop www.thelearningbasket.com and by giving parenting seminars about early childhood development, preschool homeschool, and raising children to be readers.
