Morning sickness, also called nausea and vomiting of pregnancy ( NVP ), is a symptom of pregnancy that involves nausea or vomiting . Pregnancy is an amazing ride, but the morning sickness that often comes with it? Not so fab. "Morning sickness" is a misleading term. For some pregnant women, nausea is worse in the morning and eases up over the course of the day. But the condition can happen any time and, for many women, it lasts all day. The intensity of symptoms can also vary from woman to woman too.
The medical term for morning sickness is "nausea and vomiting of pregnancy." Up to three-quarters of pregnant women have at least some nausea or vomiting during the first trimester, and about half have only vomiting. Even a mild case of nausea can wear you down, and bouts of round-the-clock nausea and vomiting can leave you exhausted and miserable.
The cause of morning sickness is unknown. While some have claimed it to be due to psychological reasons, this is not supported by evidence.
Is there a cure for it? No! But here are 10 tips on how to manage “morning sickness”.
Ditch Work
Having one of those mornings when the thought of dragging yourself out of bed for work is only compounding the nausea? Then don't do it! Take a sick day and give yourself a break. Your body's working overtime on growing that baby -- you deserve it.
Sniff a Fresh Scent
Morning sickness is often smell associated. Whether it's the smell of your car, or your husband’s perfume or the aroma of that meal your neighbor is cooking, any smell can trigger morning sickness. When you can't open a window or walk away, try sniffing fresh scents. Carry a bottle of lemon extract or a sprig of fresh rosemary in your bag, and stealthily sneak a sniff when needed.
Speak Up
You may be all about self-sufficiency and powering through your pregnancy , but being vocal about your feelings to those around you can help alleviate morning sickness misery. Your hubs probably doesn't know that his scented soap makes you queasy, or that giving you a kiss -- post pizza dinner, without brushing his teeth first -- gets your gag reflex going. So tell him and let him know what little changes he can make to help you feel better. (And when your mood improves, he'll feel better too.)
Track Your Nausea
Your queasiness may seem to come and go as it pleases, but by tuning into your body and your surroundings, you might find that your morning sickness isn't so random. If you find yourself getting nauseated at the same time every evening, says Erick, it may be from the smells of your neighbors' cooking. Queasy at 3 p.m. every day? A coworker's afternoon microwave popcorn habit could be the culprit. Once you've identified your sickness triggers, you can take the appropriate steps to avoid them wherever possible.
Stay Hydrated
It sounds like a no-brainer, but getting your eight glasses a day can feel like a monumental effort when your stomach won't keep anything down. Despite that, it's essential to get your liquids in because the more dehydrated you become, the more nauseated you'll become, according to Greenfield. To stay hydrated, try different ways of tricking your body into accepting fluids: Erick has found that for some women, salty snacks like potato chips and cheese curls "settle their stomachs and trigger their thirst." Others swear by crunching on ice chips or sipping ice cold or piping hot beverages. "Temperature makes a difference," Erick says. "If a beverage is a tepid middle temperature, it sometimes makes people gag."
Eat A Little
When it comes to eating, many women find that grazing all day settles their stomach. When your tummy is empty, the stomach acids have nothing to feast on but your stomach lining, compounding nausea. On the other hand, eating too much can overtax the digestive system, also leading to quease. Keeping your tummy a little bit full all day and all night is the best defense against morning sickness .
Ginger
Ginger has long been touted as a stomach soother, and studies have shown that it may help quell the queasies. Try adding a thin slice of ginger to hot water or tea, or sipping flat ginger ale. Doesn't sound appetizing? Snack on a handful of crystallized ginger candy, nosh on gingersnaps or gingerbread, or find your own tasty way to soup up the root. Erick suggests microwaving ginger jam and pouring it over vanilla ice cream. Yum!
Distract Yourself
Nausea's not easy to ignore, but finding something -- anything -- to take your mind off it may help you forget it for a while. Read a book, do a Sudoku puzzle, or go for a short walk. Some moms even claim that exercise relieves their nausea, but make sure to talk to your doctor before going that route. And of course, listen to your body -- if you start feeling tired or more queasy, it's time to stop.
Consider Taking Meds
If you're having a hard time keeping anything down, then it's time to see a doctor who can determine whether you need to take something.
Lie Down
Sometimes the best solution is the simplest. Try lying down, closing your eyes, taking a few deep breaths, and just getting some rest. Many doctors and moms have said that sleep is a great way to escape morning sickness -- and your body needs it! Having trouble catching those zzzs? Try wearing a sleep mask or putting on a pair of dark sunglasses to block out bright light.
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