Morning sickness is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. About 50 – 90 percent of pregnant women experience morning sickness. This article enlists in detail, the symptoms and remedies for morning sickness.
Pregnancy is the most joyous period of a woman’s life, and motherhood is the peak of this joy. But the journey to motherhood is often bumpy. The world’s greatest job does not come easy. A lot of physical discomfort is associated with pregnancy. Morning sickness is just one of them. It begins from about 4 to 6 weeks of conception and subsides by the end of 16th week. In some cases, it may stay for the entire pregnancy period.
Concept
Morning sickness is the term used to describe the feeling of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Actually, the term is pretty misleading. Contrary to what it suggests, the feeling of nausea and vomiting can surface at any time of the day. Medical terminology defines it as Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy (NVP). Although, its exact cause is not yet known, its occurrence is greatly attributed to increased levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). This hormone interferes with the metabolism of the body and thus, contributes to morning sickness.
Symptoms
Pregnancy intensifies the olfactory sense of the body. Hence, the body reacts to strong smells in an unusual way. There is often an urge to vomit in response to some smells or foods. The feeling of nausea persists throughout. Vomiting and nausea are the only symptoms associated with morning sickness. And, these are amongst the first symptoms of pregnancy.
Remedies
Although, it is pretty difficult to completely alleviate the symptoms of morning sickness, certain measures can help you reduce the severity.
General remedies
- Get out of the bed slowly, particularly in the morning.
- Make sure you get enough sleep. Often, the major cause of morning sickness is tiredness.
- Take small naps, but avoid sleeping immediately after meals.
- Do not keep the stomach entirely empty or completely full. Both can worsen the symptoms.
- Eating plain crackers or dry cereals before getting out of the bed also reduces morning sickness.
- Listening to soothing music is known to work as a remedy for morning sickness.
- Avoid going to warm places, as warm climate aggravates the symptoms.
- Avoid cooking food in poorly ventilated areas. Always use an exhaust fan or open the doors and windows while cooking.
- Cooking in the microwave is less likely to produce pungent smells.
- If possible, carry a handkerchief with a few drop of essential lemon oil on it.
Diet Regimen for Healthy Pregnancy
- Eat small portions of your meal 5 to 6 times a day.
- Avoid spicy and greasy foods.
- Incorporate ginger in your diet, as ginger is very effective in reducing the symptoms of morning sickness to a great extent.
- Drink small amounts of fluids throughout the day, but never take them along with your meals.
- Go for protein-rich foods.
- Put a pinch of salt before having your meals.
- Eat foods that are served cold, as they suppress most of the odors, hence are less likely to induce morning sickness. Follow the prescribed diet for healthy pregnancy.
Morning sickness is indeed a lot of discomfort for the pregnant women. But the bright fact associated with it is that, it can be beneficial for your baby. Showing the signs of morning sickness means that your baby is getting the required nutrients. Also, women who experience morning sickness have less chances of miscarriages. It is a temporary phase in pregnancy, which eventually subsides. Moreover, knowing the fact that it could help your baby, will allow you to enjoy the golden period of your life.
Disclaimer: This HerHaleness article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
