Looking for help for morning sickness?

Get help for morning sickness and combat it the healthy way, without medication.

The symptoms of morning sickness can occur in up to 80% of mothers to be and can begin as early as the 4th or 6th week of pregnancy. It usually lasts up to the 16th week, but can continue throughout the whole pregnancy in some cases. And while for some women morning sickness can be a mild inconvenience, for many others it’s an awful experience that dominates their whole days, not just the mornings.

Unfortunately there are many old wives tales floating around and it can be quite difficult and confusing figuring out what works. And while it is pretty difficult to cure morning sickness, as its cause is not completely understood, there are many natural methods of reducing the symptoms to allow you to enjoy your pregnancy.

One way to help your morning sickness is to get into the habit of eating something bland like crackers or dry cereal before you get up in the morning. Keep them by the side of your bed, and wake up half an hour earlier to give you a chance to get out of bed slowly.

Another way to prevent morning sickness is to not allow your stomach to get too full or too empty. Instead of eating 3 large meals each day, split them into smaller meals, every 2 or 3 hours. Also drink plenty fluids to avoid dehydration, but aim to drink at least ½ an hour before or after your meal.

Ginger is very popular amongst pregnant women and other nausea sufferers and can be taken in many forms. Capsules and tablets are available which you can take with water, or if you prefer, take sips of ginger tea until the symptoms abate. Ginger is also available as biscuits, sweets and lollipops which are ideal to nibble on when you’re out and struck by a bout of nausea. Peppermint tea is also useful to aid digestion and prevent nausea and heartburn.

Follow your food cravings, they will rarely lead you wrong. Other foods that may ease your symptoms are plain fruit and vegetables, fresh lemons, cold food (tends to have less nausea inducing odours), high protein foods such as nuts, beans, chicken. Avoid spicy or greasy food and opt for bland items such as crackers, pretzels or jelly. Vitamin B6, taken daily can also be very helpful for pregnancy related nausea.

Insufficient rest can aggravate nausea. Rest or have naps during the day, but not after eating. Use a pillow under your head and legs to make yourself more comfortable and relieve pressure. To help you sleep at night, eat a small snack before bedtime such as cereal, sandwich or rusks. Whatever you can tolerate. If you do wake during the night, try having a small snack, which can help prevent nausea in the morning.

Avoid smells that trigger your nausea. As this isn't always possible, keep a tissue with you with a few drops of an essential oil such as lemon or orange, and hold it over your nose until you can get away from the odour. Also try to avoid being in hot or stuffy rooms. Open a window and let some fresh air in when possible. Gentle exercise and going for shorts walks is also helpful for your symptoms, as well as being excellent for your overall pregnancy health and that of your baby.

For more information on help for morning sickness, whether you’re just looking to improve your pregnancy experience, or to put an end to your daily suffering, a complete nutrition and exercise plan can not only combat morning sickness, but also give you and your new baby a healthy and energetic kick start to life.