Ten Tips for Treating Morning Sickness

The best thing about morning sickness is that it usually goes away on its own after 3 to 4 months. In the meantime, here are ten things women can do to make their symptoms more bearable.

1. Eat just a little high-carbohydrate food first thing in the morning, even before you get out of bed. This should be food that has neutral flavors and no aroma. You don't want to have the memory of eating a favorite food followed by an attack of nausea or vomiting. As little as 10 grams (1/2 an ounce) of a bland, high-carb food may be enough.
2. On the same theme, try to avoid favorite foods during early pregnancy. You will enjoy them a lot more after pregnancy if they are not associated with morning sickness.
3. Avoid large meals. Snacks throughout the day are better. Drink fluids throughout the day to avoid dehydration and to keep electrolytes at normal levels.
4. Eat nutritionally dense foods, rich in protein, healthy fats, minerals, and vitamins, such as meat, cheese, nuts, soy, and beans, rather than chips, candy bars, and hot dogs. If you can only keep a limited amount of food down so that it is digested, it is better that you eat small amounts of healthy food rather than large amounts of junk food.
5. If vomiting is a problem, consume ginger whenever possible. Ginger snaps, ginger ale, pressed ginger in fruit juice, and ginger supplements will all help relieve both vomiting and nausea, although ginger is more effective against vomiting than nausea.
6. If nausea is a problem, take 30 mg of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) every day. Vitamin B6 will relieve both nausea and vomiting, but it is more effective against nausea than against vomiting. There is no problem with taking both ginger and vitamin B6, since both are GRAS (generally recognized as safe).
7. Acupressure can stop nausea. The acupressure point to stimulate is called the Inner Gate or Neiguan point. You can find this point by sitting down at a table and laying your hand out flat in front of you, palm side up. Measure three index finger lengths up from the crease of your wrist and gently massage the center of your wrist. This point is used to relieve any kind of upset or fullness in the pelvis (do not massage your abdomen itself!). It usually takes about two minutes to get relief. Acupressure bands you wear on your wrist will also work as long as they do not slip to the wrong side of your wrist. Just wearing a traditional watch band or bracelet may also help.
8. Vitamin C (in small doses, under 100 mg a day) and vitamin K (in large doses, 2 to 5 mg a day) sometimes help nausea and vomiting. Don't take vitamin K if you are on any kind of treatment for blood clotting factors, and let your doctor know you are taking these supplements, just in case there are potential cross-reactions with prescription drugs you need later in your pregnancy.
9. Avoid iron supplements unless your doctor tells you that you need them because a blood test showed you have iron-deficiency anemia. Iron supplements often cause nausea, bloating, flatulence, and gas.
10. Honor your appetite. Eat when you are hungry, regardless of the time of day. Your body knows when it can best be fed.

Additionally, cold foods, typically consumed at or below room temperature, offer a refreshing and often palate-cleansing experience. They are especially popular in hot weather or as a contrast to warm dishes. Examples include salads, sushi, cold cuts, ice cream, and fruit. Cold foods are also preferred by some individuals with sensitivities to odors or tastes, as they generally emit less aroma than hot foods.

Eating starchy foods before bed can help stabilize blood sugar levels throughout the night, leading to better sleep quality. These foods, like bread, crackers, or rice, are high in complex carbohydrates, which provide a slow and steady release of energy. This can prevent night-time hunger pangs and help maintain a feeling of fullness, potentially contributing to a more restful and uninterrupted sleep.

Every case of morning sickness ends when the baby is born. These tips will make the waiting easier.