It can impact your life, typically during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.
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1.
Dietary Remedies
Many people with morning sickness struggle to eat a variety of healthy foods.
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Fortunately, there are dietary changes you’re free to make to ease your symptoms.
Learning and avoiding exposure can help reduce the severity and frequency of nausea and vomiting.
Physical Activity
Staying physically active is important during pregnancy.
Exercise may reduce feelings of nausea.
It can also help with other pregnancy symptoms likeconstipationand achiness.
Focus on gentle activities and try not to overexert yourself.
Avoid any time of day when your nausea and vomiting are the worst.
Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before starting new activities.
Medicine
Medications to reduce nausea and vomitingduring pregnancy are available.
Always talk with your healthcare provider before beginning a new medication.
Starting prenatal vitamins before you become pregnant can also help prevent and or reduce symptoms during pregnancy.
Acupuncture and Acupressure
Acupunctureandacupressureare treatments used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Acupuncture involves placing thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body.
Some studies suggest it may be helpful to treat nausea and manage morning sickness but more research is needed.
Acupressure uses wristbands to apply pressure on specific areas of your wrist.
They are often used to treat motion sickness and can be helpful for morning sickness as well.
Inhaling peppermint oil did appear to relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting when studied.
That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is an important way to preventdehydrationand lower the chance of morning sickness.
Being dehydrated can be a trigger for nausea.
During pregnancy, your body needs 8 to 12 glasses of water daily.
Drinking a large amount of water in one sitting could upset your stomach.
Lifestyle Changes
Small changes to your lifestyle may improve nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
For most pregnant people, morning sickness symptoms occur early in the day.
However, it can occur at any time of day, including overnight.
Sometimes morning sickness lasts all day.
Most people can expect morning sickness between the ninth week of pregnancy and week 14.
Some symptoms may occur before or after this window.
People who are pregnant also have an enhanced sense of smell.
This could lead to nausea from strong odors.
Also, as the fetus grows, the increased pressure on the stomach can lead togastric reflux.
This causes stomach acid to travel back up the esophagus and may lead to heartburn and nausea.
Some people experience severe symptoms calledhyperemesis gravidarumthat may require added intervention.
Talk with your healthcare provider if you have been experiencing nausea and vomiting.
Your symptoms could be due to another cause, such as an ulcer or thyroid problem.
Summary
Morning sickness describes the pregnancy symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
Morning sickness is very common and usually resolves after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Some remedies can ease your symptoms.
Making changes to your diet, exercise routine, and lifestyle could help.
Focus on small meals throughout the day and be as physically active as possible.
Stay hydrated throughout the day.
If home remedies are ineffective, discuss medication options with your healthcare provider.
Also, ask about herbal remedies before trying them.
2023 May 24;23(1):375. doi:10.1186/s12884-023-05691-6.
Pornchai A, Kamalaporn P, Sriphrapradang C.Jaundice resulting from Hyperemesis Gravidarum.Ochsner J.
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American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.FAQs: Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy.
