You crave immediate relief from nausea and vomiting when morning sickness begins in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Luckily, there are several ways to ease nausea and vomiting, including eating foods specifically formulated to do so.
Morning sickness, afternoon queasy, and nighttime puking—all are possible throughout pregnancy. Starting with week 4, it typically subsides by week 14. Fortunately, there are several tried-and-true strategies accessible to find relief, such as sticking to the best foods for pregnancy nausea, because over 75% of women have morning sickness at some point throughout their pregnancy.
What is morning sickness?
When you’re pregnant, you may have morning sickness, also known as nausea and vomiting. Pregnancy can heighten your sense of smell, making you more sensitive to odors and even giving you severe aversions to particular foods and aromas.
Morning sickness is a common pregnancy symptom, but the “morning” aspect of the name is misleading. If you’re one of the three-quarters of pregnant women who experience nausea and vomiting, you know that it doesn’t matter what time of day or night it is; it can strike at any moment.
When do nausea and vomiting first show up?
Around week 6 of pregnancy, or about halfway through the second month, most women experience morning sickness. After all, a positive pregnancy test just requires an increase in hCG hormone levels by a week!
While morning sickness may not develop until weeks 7–9 for some expectant mothers, it often subsides by the start of the second trimester.
What causes morning sickness?
Morning sickness affects different women in different ways. Occasionally, people will feel sick, while others will feel sick all the time, but they may never actually throw up. Morning sickness has a few potential root causes:
- Hormones. During early pregnancy, when morning sickness is at its worst, levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG are highest. Pregnancy also causes an increase in estrogen and progesterone, both of which relax the muscles of the digestive tract and reduce digestion efficiency (and might also cause heartburn).
- Aromatic sensitivity. During pregnancy, you may find that certain odors are particularly repulsive because of your heightened sense of smell.
- Overproduction of saliva. When you feel uneasy, your body may try to shield your mouth, teeth, and throat from the corrosive effects of stomach acid by producing more saliva.
- Exhaustion and anxiety. Nausea can be brought on by both physical exhaustion and emotional stress.
- The pregnancy is the woman’s first. Nausea during pregnancy may be more common for women who have never been pregnant before, as their bodies are not accustomed to the hormonal and other changes that occur during pregnancy.
- The temperature has risen. Overheating makes it even more difficult to relax throughout pregnancy.
- Genetics. It’s more likely that you will experience morning sickness if your mother or sister did.
Treatments for nausea and vomiting in the morning
While time is the only certain cure for morning sickness, there are some measures you can do to lessen your symptoms:
1. Get rid of bad odors
A more acute sense of smell means you may find previously pleasant aromas repulsive or even toxic. Avoid any and all smells that may cause you to feel nauseous, whether it be your former favorite perfume or your favorite takeout curry.
There are a few additional strategies that may be useful. Instead of using the oven or stove, try microwaving your food in a microwave and opening the windows as you cook to let the smells go. If you’re feeling sickened by the smell, get out of there. And to get rid of ingrained odors, wash your garments more frequently with a lightly scented (or unscented) detergent.
You should also avoid eating anything you have a visual aversion to. One common offender is raw chicken.
2. Foods high in protein
Protein-rich diets, it has been established by experts, can reduce morning sickness. Chicken, peanut butter, and beans are high-protein foods that can help reduce nausea by boosting gastrin.
Protein-rich foods like lean beef, edamame, Greek yogurt, and edamame, as well as hard-boiled eggs, hard cheeses, almonds, and trail mix, can help alleviate morning sickness.
High-protein snacks are a great way to ensure you get the 60 grams of protein most pregnant women require daily.
3. Iced drinks and snacks
In case you didn’t know, your gag reaction is more likely to be triggered by the smells of hot meals and drinks. Since heat is required for an odor to be picked up by your nose, the higher the temperature, the stronger the odor. If you’re experiencing pregnancy-related nausea, you could find that eating cold meals is easier because of the reduced smell.
It can be helpful to drink something cool when you feel sick, so if you’re pregnant and experiencing nausea, keep that in mind. Smoothies and almond milk served chilled, are two tasty alternatives.
Cocktails, frozen yogurt, popsicles, cooled fruits, and ice cream are all excellent options if you’re having difficulties keeping liquids down.
4. Take ginger supplements or eat ginger-containing foods
The anti-nausea and anti-vomiting potential of ginger has been the subject of some research (check with your pharmacist before taking ginger supplements during pregnancy).
5. Calm down and take it easy
Avoiding or reducing nausea and vomiting can be aided by learning to relax. The tried-and-true methods of reducing stress such as meditation, visualization, and prenatal yoga can be tried. And every night, put in as many hours of sleep as possible.
Conclusion
Morning sickness is often mild to severe and poses no danger to either you or your unborn child. However, you should consult a female health specialist if your feelings of nausea or vomiting persist or worsen.
FAQs
1. How many days into pregnancy Do you have an upset stomach?
At least seven out of ten pregnant women have morning sickness throughout the first three months of their pregnancies. Beginning about week 6 of pregnancy, it peaks around week 9.
2. Where do you apply pressure to alleviate motion sickness?
Neiguan, or pressure point P-6, is a popular acupressure point (nay-gwann). It’s on the inside of your arm, close to your wrist. Applying pressure here can alleviate nausea and help you keep from throwing up.
3. Why do women feel sick during pregnancy?
A placental hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin has been linked to pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting (HCG). Shortly after a fertilized egg implants into the uterine lining, a pregnant woman’s body begins to produce HCG.
