Cures For Morning Sickness

Ah... morning sickness - the malady that pregnant women everywhere can only wish would end when the sun hits the top of the sky. For me and for many others, the sickness could strike at any time. I considered it to be hunger sickness as it mainly struck me when I hadn't eaten in a while - such as in the morning, but also any other time of day I happened to be too busy living life to remember to feed the little alien inside. No matter when you suffer, the sickness can be sudden. It affects about 75% of pregnant women starting at about 6 weeks of pregnancy. It gets worse for about a month before it usually lessens up at the first trimester mark.

It's important to note that many times nausea can be much more serious than what we affectionately refer to as morning sickness. If you are vomiting or otherwise unable to keep food down, you need to see a doctor right away.

If you've got the run of the mill morning sickness, these remedies may help. Some are more scientifically sound, and others are just plain old wives' tales, but for some women they have worked!

Avoid smells that make you gag. I had a wonderful hair gel that to this day I cannot stomach. Once I got pregnant my aromatherapy salon treatment made me want to hurl. I had to purge my bathroom of the smell and douse the place in Pine-Sol.

Don't try new foods. Why risk it? You are supposed to eat this super-ultra-mega nutritious diet when you are with child, but be realistic. Stick with what you know and like. Make small choices that will increase your health - such as sorbet instead of ice-cream.

Eat crackers in bed. That's right, keep those saltines close by so you can grab them ini the morning or any other time you may wake up famished. Eat crackers or another bland snack while you're still lying down, then rest a few minutes before getting up. It's a mess, but it works!

Eat often! This one's fun. Simple as it is, some women have a hard time adjusting to the demands of the newly pregnant state, especially if they're busy taking care of business or another child! The trick is not to let your stomach get empty.

Eat bland food. Okay, this one's not so fun, but if you're suffering you may want to give it a try. Spicy, rich, fatty foods can irritate your system. But then again, jalapenos and Sour Patch Kids can make a wonderful mid-morning snack for some women.

Eat cold food. It doesn't smell as much as warm food.

Eat potato chips? This is a new one on me, but many women are finding relief by downing some salty chips! Hey, it's worth a try.

Eat plenty of protein. Your body may be craving this building block of nutrition.

Keep hydrated. Enough said.

Rest. Don't underestimate the power of the power nap. Give your body the time to recuperate from all the hard work it's doing for you and your baby.

Take your time. Don't stand up too quickly - your body is not so quick to adjust when you're pregnant and the change in equilibrium could make you feel sick.

Take your vitamins with food. Ask your doctor about the iron content in your prenatal vitamins. Too much iron can bother some women.

Make ginger tea. You can try ginger ale, but the kind you buy at the store probably doesn't have real ginger in it. A better bet is to break off a piece of the root at the grocery store and grate some into hot water. Add some honey for taste and you're set.

Chew mint gum. This is a lesser-known remedy that a friend introduced me to. It helps out with mild nausea and the chewing gives you something else to think about!

Wear an acupressure band. Strap on this soft cotton wristband sold at drugstoresand a button pushes against an acupressure point on the underside of your wrist. It's made for seasickness, but who knows. It's non-medicinal and may help. There's also an electrical version available by prescription only.

Just in case you wonder, I'm not a doctor or any other kind of medical expert. I am just an experienced mother. Information contained in this article is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.