Help With Pregnancy Morning Sickness
Morning sickness, characterized by unwanted nausea and vomiting due to the hormonal changes of pregnancy, can actually happen any time of the day or night, according to the Mayo Clinic. Many pregnant women will experience at least some degree of nausea and vomiting, and most cases go away, especially after the first trimester.
Prevention
You might be able to reduce or even prevent morning sickness greatly by following a few basic nutritional guidelines, according to MedlinePlus. Eating a few crackers upon waking can help combat the possibility that you will vomit in the morning. Also, avoiding strong odors and perfumes can prevent some cases of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. Try taking your prenatal vitamins at night if you are having problems with morning sickness.
Considerations
Women who are expecting twins or other multiples are more likely to suffer from morning sickness, according to MedlinePlus. Certain types of spicy food and iron supplements may also increase the chance of unwanted stomach irritation during pregnancy. Also, the degree and severity of morning sickness varies for each pregnancy; some moms may experience little morning sickness during one term and then suffer significant nausea and vomiting during a different pregnancy.
When to Call the Doctor
If your morning sickness does not go away, becomes severe or causes you to lose weight, you need to immediately consult with a doctor, according to the U.S. Department of Health website. About 2 percent of pregnant women may suffer from the potentially serious condition hyperemesis gravidarum, which causes morning sickness that does not go away and thus can harm you and your growing baby.
Remedies to Avoid
A traditional morning sickness treatment, known as calabash chalk, is not considered safe for pregnant women to use, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 2010, the FDA officially warned the public that this once-classic morning sickness remedy actually consists of unsafe levels of lead and arsenic. The treatment, often sold in African stores in metropolitan areas like New York City, resembles chalk but it can also be sold in mud-like formulations and labeled under names such as “mabele,” “argile” or “la craie.”
Safer Relief Options
Foods and supplements containing ginger are proven safe morning sickness remedies, according to MedlinePlus. You might try ginger ale, ginger candy, ginger tea or powdered ginger to combat nausea and vomiting. Also, acupressure wrist bands and acupuncture are safe and sometimes effective remedies against morning sickness.
