Although you may have heard of women glowing during pregnancy, you may be surprised to find that your own sweaty sheen comes from repeated bouts of nausea and vomiting. A common occurrence in pregnancy, morning sickness can occur at any time of day or night. According to the Mayo Clinic, this symptom may be the result of normal hormonal changes during the early part of your pregnancy. Although these feelings of sickness generally resolve themselves as your pregnancy progresses, you can take some steps to minimize your discomfort during this early stage of pregnancy.
Step 1
Place a package of soda crackers on your nightstand. The American Pregnancy Association recommends eating a few crackers about 15 minutes before getting out of bed in the mornings. Choose unseasoned soda crackers; eat them slowly. You may decide that having a few crumbs in your bed far outweighs the discomfort of nausea and vomiting.
Step 2
Rinse your crackers down with a small amount of water. Remind yourself to sip on fluids throughout the day, rather than chugging down large amounts at once. According to the Mayo Clinic, sipping on ginger ale may help settle your stomach.
Step 3
Ask your husband, family member or friend to cook for you if the smell of cooking foods sends you running to the bathroom. Many pregnant women notice that certain smells seem to turn their stomachs. If you can’t tolerate certain odors, open your windows or turn on a fan to help clear the air.
Step 4
Eat small meals throughout the day. Start with a light breakfast of bland foods, such as a piece of dry toast with fresh fruit and a cup of tea or skim milk. Avoid greasy and highly seasoned foods or foods that have strong smells. The Mayo Clinic advises pregnant women to eat low-fat foods that digest easily. Eat your meals slowly and stop eating if you begin to feel a little queasy.
Step 5
Snack on bland foods or foods that have a slightly tart or salty taste. The American Pregnancy Association recommends eating salty potato chips and drinking lemonade. Some women find that lemons and pickles help minimize feelings of nausea during pregnancy.
Warnings
- See your doctor if your vomiting is severe or if you are unable to keep anything down for two full days during your pregnancy.
Photo Credit
- pregnant image by AGphotographer from Fotolia.com
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