Dealing With Pregnancy Nausea
Commonly called morning sickness, nausea and vomiting are among the first signs of pregnancy. It usually lasts the entire first trimester and gets better with the start of the second trimester. However, some moms-to-be may experience it throughout pregnancy. Severe morning sickness can affect your ability to eat healthily and carry on with your routine. While the exact cause of morning sickness is not clear, there are some ways to make you feel better.
Eat Small Meals
Instead of eating a full meal three times a day, break it up into smaller portions and eat it at intervals throughout the day. If necessary, cut down your food quantity at meal times and compensate by eating nutritious snacks in between meals.
Avoid Spice, Fat, and Caffeine
Excessive spice in your food causes heartburn and prompts nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Cut down the spice in your food to avoid this problem. Fatty, greasy foods are the biggest culprits when it comes to triggering morning sickness. Also, avoid caffeinated drinks as they release stomach acids that can make you feel nauseated.
Take Ample Rest
Fatigue can worsen symptoms of morning sickness. Get plenty of rest, especially at night. Take a nap mid-day if possible but avoid sleeping right after meals as this can increase the vomiting sensation.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration can worsen nausea and vomiting can make you more dehydrated. It is a vicious cycle. Ensure that you are drinking plenty of fluids. If you are unable to drink much water, switch to pure fruit juices or healthy liquids such as coconut water or buttermilk to keep your fluid intake adequate.
Extreme nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is called hyperemesis gravidarum. This condition can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and bigger problems for you and your baby. In case, the above-mentioned tips do not help you, reach out to your doctor.