Tips to Help Beat Morning Sickness during Pregnancy
Up to 50% of pregnant women suffer from nausea and/or vomiting during pregnancy, particularly during the first three months as hormone levels surge. However, it is also surprising to note the number of emetophobes who do NOT actually suffer, suggesting there might actually be some benefit obtained from sheer will power. Although there is no guaranteed method to ensure it doesn't happen, some of the following tried and tested tips might help:
Thinking about lemons is said
to be helpful - although I don't know why. Sniffing the refreshing tang of a
fresh, juicy lemon, rubbing it on your hand or drinking lemon juice can help
some women.
Eat something light - a piece
of dry toast or a few dry biscuits first thing in the morning before you get
out of bed - and then get up slowly. Rushing around on a queasy stomach is
definitely not recommended!
A handful of grapes is said to
be helpful
Barley water can help settle a
dodgy stomach and drinking sparkling mineral water can help. Drink plenty of
fluid but sip it slowly rather than rapidly gulping down the full glass.
If you can face it, try
separating eating and drinking allowing at least 30 minutes between your meal
and your drink. (However, if you feel vomiting is inevitable, I am told it is
greatly preferable have had a drink beforehand. Apparently it makes the
mechanics of the act less of a strain…)
Suck ice cubes. If these are
too bland, try improving their flavour by freezing herbal teas such as
peppermint or raspberry. In the summer, suck on a frozen ice-lolly - but
definitely not one with an ice cream or chocolate filling!
Eat only small meals,
preferably high carbohydrate foods such as bread and cereal or dried fruit
which has little smell.
Ginger, which has a soothing
effect on the brain, is highly recommended. Eat it in biscuits (ginger nuts),
ginger beer (if you can face it), or ginger tea made from an infusion of
grated ginger root in a cup of boiling water. For most uses of ginger, there
is no need to peel it. Slice a sliver from one end and then grate it using a
medium grater. If you prefer to peel it, choose a fat part of the root and
take off the peel as thinly as you can. It's best to buy larger pieces of
ginger as they will stay fresh for longer and usually the longer roots are
less knobbly.
A Gut Reaction member specifically recommends the following which helped her during her own pregnancies:
 | Don’t let yourself get too hungry. Strange as it may sound, pregnancy nausea is often accompanied by ravenous hunger – give in to it and eat little and often. I craved carbohydrates such as potatoes, bread and nursery or comfort food like sponge pudding and custard or rice pudding. I also wanted strong tasting things like brown sauce, which I normally wouldn’t touch. Again, I felt better if I gave in and ate what I felt I wanted. The desire for these foods and the hunger went as soon as the nausea subsided. |
| Ginger is a wonderful natural remedy. I drank gallons of the mixer ‘dry ginger’, ate ginger biscuits and nibbled crystallised ginger. |
| ‘Sea-Bands’, the travel wristbands were not around at the time but they are certainly worth trying. |
| Taking prescribed medication. This is a very individual decision. I was prescribed an anti-emetic for both pregnancies and took it very sparingly. It probably stops you from actually vomiting but I didn’t find that it was particularly helpful for the nausea. |
| If the nausea is worse in mornings, try to have something to eat and drink before getting up and DON’T leap out of bed. It’s also best not to go to bed on a completely empty stomach. |
| Try not to get too tired. Easier said than done if you are working and/or have other children to look after. I certainly felt worse when I was tired and worn out |
| Try to distract yourself. I found that I ‘forgot’ the nausea if I managed to get absorbed in something else such as a good book or film. |
| If heartburn is a problem in later pregnancy, ask your GP to prescribe an antacid (you will probably be offered one during labour as well). I found it worked almost instantly and I felt a lot more comfortable. |
| Get someone else to feed the cat if you have one. I found the smell of tinned cat food really turned my stomach. |
| Finally, keep telling yourself that it will go and then you can get on and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. |
Usually, the nausea in
the first trimester of pregnancy does not require medication. However, if
vomiting is severe, an antihistamine or phenothiazine may be required. Avomine
(promethazine theoclate
25mg) travel-pills can be taken (25mg at bedtime,
increased if necessary to a maximum of 100mg daily), and purchased over the
counter in UK pharmacies.
One reader of this site suggested:
"I have just been reading your web site with interest, and thought you
might be interested in a further 'cure' to nausea/vomiting in early pregnancy.
A friend of mine (not an emetophobe, unlike me!) suffered bad vomiting during
the first months of her pregnancy. She tried everything to no avail, until
she discovered Reflexology. It really worked for her. No more
vomiting. I also have a number of friends who swear by its powers, for
many different reasons. Might be worth a try for your pregnant members!"
PLEASE NOTE: It is always wise to seek the advice of a pharmacist or your General Practitioner.