Article DetailsTime Tested Techniques for Morning Sickness Relief |
| Date Added: February 23, 2010 05:00:00 PM |
| Author: Blenda Golightly |
| Category: Health: Reproductive Health |
| If you are pregnant, you probably know that the term “morning sickness” is really a misnomer, since many pregnant women experience nausea at any time during the day (though usually more intensely during the morning hours). About three of every four women are affected by nausea, vomiting, or both, usually starting around week 6 of the pregnancy, with full relief coming between weeks 14 and 18; some unlucky women, however, suffer nausea and/or vomiting throughout the pregnancy. But, no matter how long the symptoms last, it is an unpleasant condition which should not be dismissed just because it is common or temporary.
Although the reasons for nausea and/or vomiting during pregnancy are not 100% clear, it seems that a combination of causes - hormonal, physical, psychological - are responsible.The most important of these is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, or the pregnancy hormone), whose rising levels tend to match rising feelings of nausea and vice versa; another important hormone is estrogen, which has been shown to increase sensitivity to aromas. If a woman normally "feels sick" (nauseated) or even throws up when she is stressed, some researchers feel that it is therefore to be expected that she would do the same during pregnancy.While not scientifically tested or confirmed, there are many techniques, none involving medication, that might bring you relief from your nausea; generations of women swear by their efficacy, and it is likely that one or more will work for you. Avoid letting your stomach get so empty it growls - you should eat frequently during the day so there's always "something in there"; be sure to keep some crackers by your bed so you can have something when you wake up.Give your stomach a chance to settle by staying in bed for another twenty to thirty minutes, and then slowly get up - it is likely you'll experience less nausea.It's a smart rule of thumb for pregnant women to take their time in the mornings, and not get up right away. Avoid fatty, rich, spicy, and acidic foods; experiment with high-carbohydrate and high-protein foods to see which depresses your nausea best.If a food makes you feel nauseous, don't eat it - even if this means you eat a very limited variety of foods, it's better than forcing yourself and getting sick after. You’ll want to try to eat fairly bland foods, and also to eat them while they are at room temperature or even cold, because hot foods have stronger odors. While you should have lots of beverages, try not to drink much at meals so you don't get overfull; try drinking sports drinks, cold carbonated drinks, and anything with real ginger, like ginger ale or tea. Other strategies include avoiding non-food triggers like being in the car or around heavy perfumes, as well as taking your prenatal vitamins with food or just before bed, acupressure bands, or even hypnosis.There is no need for you to suffer undue nausea and vomiting if these natural strategies do not provide relief; talk with your doctor about possibly using some sort of safe anti-emetic (anti-nausea) medication to achieve relief. |
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