Expecting a child is a phenomenal life experience every woman looks forward to. Not because it’s fun, especially when morning sickness remedies become necessary to cope with the discomfort, but the satisfaction and joy it brings when the little bundle of joy finally arrives.
In the same way, a woman looks forward to this experience; she also prepares her mind for all the challenges that come with pregnancy. Morning sickness during the first trimester is a reality faced by over 80% of all expectant women1. However, every pregnancy is different, and every woman goes through a unique experience altogether. Knowing how to combat morning sickness and incorporating a nutritional diet for pregnancy can make this phase more manageable.
As an experienced Women’s Health writer for over five years. Let me guide you through 10 expert-backed tips. These will help you overcome nausea and vomiting in pregnancy with confidence and ease.
But before then, let’s understand why cures for nausea during pregnancy are essential and why it occurs in the first place.
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The Key Cause of Morning Sickness Unveiled
Thorough research has revealed that the main cause of morning sickness is a hormone produced by the fetus called GDF152. And, the vomiting and nausea experienced during the early stages of pregnancy are a result of the body’s sensitivity to the hormone. Approximately 2% of expectant mothers face an extreme form of pregnancy nausea and vomiting, known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). This can be more severe and require medical attention It can be fatal to both mother and baby.
So, if your body had low levels of GDF15 before pregnancy, most likely, you will experience morning sickness symptoms. Vice versa is also true. To prevent severe morning sickness or HG, one can be exposed to GDF15 hormone before getting pregnant. Alternatively, the high levels already in the body of an expectant woman can be lowered to effectively treat the symptoms.
When Does Morning Sickness Occur?
Generally, most women start experiencing morning sickness symptoms as early as 5 weeks. At around 9 to 10 weeks, the symptoms may escalate. However, at around 14 to 20 weeks, the symptoms subside.
Please keep in mind that these adverse symptoms do not occur only in the morning, as the name suggests, but they can occur at any time of the day. Knowing how to combat morning sickness early can help expectant moms manage discomfort effectively.
Common signs of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting include:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Depression
- Anxiety
Understanding when morning sickness occurs and recognizing its symptoms can help expectant moms take proactive steps for relief. By tracking patterns and identifying triggers, you can better manage pregnancy nausea relief and make this phase of pregnancy more comfortable. If symptoms persist or gets worse, always consult a healthcare provider for their proper guidance.
Top 10 Proven Tips to Manage Pregnancy Nausea at Home
Without a doubt, most of the morning sickness symptoms can be safely managed at home.
In this secion we will explore how to relieve morning sickness naturally. All you need to do is take note of a few trends in your pregnancy journey and take the necessary action. These morning sickness remedies can help expectant moms manage nausea and vomiting in pregnancy effectively.
Here is home remedies for morning sickness
1. Note Your Nausea Trends
Tracking your nausea relief patterns during pregnancy will help. This will identify triggers and manage symptoms more effectively.
Track when nausea happens to find and avoid triggers.
For instance, note the time of the day when nausea occurs. This will help you identify what triggers it at that particular time and how you can avoid the identified triggers beforehand.
2. Eat Frequently
Instead of taking three heavy meals as usual, consider eating smaller meals but more frequently. Healthy eating habits provides the nutritious diet for pregnancy.
Eating small, frequent meals helps control nausea.
This helps regulate blood sugar levels, preventing extreme hunger or an overly full feeling. Low levels of blood sugar worsen morning sickness symptoms. A nutritional diet for pregnancy with high-protein snacks can also help reduce nausea.
3. Chew Your Food Thoroughly
Have you ever thought of how finely you chew your food? Well, at this time of your life, you will have to think about it. Finely chewed food makes digestion easier, thus easing the burden on your already stressed stomach.
Chewing food well improves digestion and reduces nausea.
By chewing your food thoroughly increases the absorption of nutrients into your system, consequently keeping pregnancy nausea relief at bay.
4. Enjoy the Foods That Appeal to You
A generally voice search which most expectant moms have is: What are the best foods to relieve morning sickness? Since this sickness is for a short time, it is advisable to eat and drink what appeals to you. Interestingly. Other meals will become palatable as time goes by.
Eat foods that appeal to you to ease nausea.
The food that you can eat at this time will give you the necessary nutrients for the time being, so do not worry too much. How to combat morning sickness includes choosing meals that sit well with you.
5. Drink Lots of Water
Most ailments are brought about by dehydration, and morning sickness can be made worse by inadequate intake of fluids.
Staying hydrated helps prevent nausea in pregnancy.
Even though you may be taking your favorite beverage frequently, be sure to take enough water to keep your body well hydrated. Cures for nausea during pregnancy often include proper hydration.
6. Avoid Irritating Odors and Foods
Now that you have been tracking the key triggers for your morning sickness symptoms, avoid odors and foods that aggravate the situation.
Avoid strong smells that can worsen nausea.
Also, be aware that your favorite scents and food could become unappealing and vice versa. In case you are in a situation where you cannot avoid these odors, breathe through your mouth and find fresh air as fast as possible.
7. Try Aromatherapy Like Peppermints
Since smell is the major contributor to nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, exposing yourself to relieving smells like peppermint will work a big deal.
Another natural remedy is acupressure for pregnancy nausea, which involves applying gentle pressure. Areas and specific points on the wrist. Such as the P6 (Neiguan) acupressure point.
Acupressure wristbands 3can help relieve pregnancy nausea naturally. Sometimes smell is a major contributor to nausea, exposing yourself to relieving scents like peppermint can be highly effective. Many expectant women find peppermint aromatherapy helpful in easing nausea. You can use peppermint oil in your diffuser or inhale it directly for relief.
8. Take Your Prenatal Vitamins in the Evening
A spike in minerals and vitamins in the morning can lead to nausea. So, if you feel nauseated in the morning, consider taking your prenatal vitamins at night during dinner time.
Take prenatal vitamins at night to avoid morning nausea.
This will not overwhelm your body since it has been digesting food throughout the day. Vitamin B6 and morning sickness are also linked, so adding it to your routine can help.
9. Do Light Exercises
Everybody needs to exercise in order to keep healthy and fit. Light exercise like walking will significantly reduce morning sickness episodes.
Short walks can help reduce pregnancy nausea.
For instance, try 20-minute or shorter walks at the time of the day when the morning sickness is at its worst. Walking will help in digestion and blood circulation.
10. Rest
As an expectant mom, take all the rest you need and don’t feel guilty. The developing baby is using energy to grow, and that is how it should be. So, if you are feeling sleepy, go to bed and have a good uninterrupted sleep.
Adequate rest helps reduce nausea in pregnancy.
These morning sickness remedies can help expectant moms manage symptoms naturally at home. By staying adequately hydrated, choose the balanced foods, and tracking nausea triggers, you can make pregnancy more comfortable.
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FAQ: Morning Sickness Remedies
What helps relieve morning sickness fast?
Eating small, frequent meals, sipping ginger tea, staying hydrated, and avoiding strong odors can reduce nausea quickly. Light exercise and acupressure wristbands may also help manage symptoms effectively.
When does morning sickness start and end?
Morning sickness usually begins around week 5 of pregnancy, peaks between weeks 9-10, and often subsides by weeks 14-20. However, some expectant moms may experience nausea longer, depending on individual factors and hormonal changes.
What are normal GDF15 levels in healthy individuals?
In healthy individuals, serum GDF15 levels typically range between 0.1 and 1.2 ng/mL. This protein is predominantly expressed in the bladder, kidneys, colon, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, lungs, and endometrial tissue.
What foods make morning sickness worse?
Fatty, fried, and strong-smelling foods can worsen nausea. Instead, opt for bland, high-protein snacks like crackers, nuts, and bananas. Cold foods, ginger-based drinks, and hydration can help soothe morning sickness symptoms effectively.
Is morning sickness worse in the morning?
Despite its name, morning sickness can occur at any time of the day. Symptoms vary based on individual sensitivity, hormonal shifts, and dietary habits. Tracking nausea patterns can help identify triggers and manage discomfort effectively.
Conclusion
Sometimes, these symptoms may be overwhelming, no matter how hard you try to manage them. While morning sickness remedies can provide relief, over-the-counter medications may be necessary in some cases.
It is paramount to note that nausea and vomiting in pregnancy can also be caused by other medical conditions, such as:
- Abdominal disorders like intestine blockage, gallbladder inflammation, or appendicitis
- Intestinal or stomach infections (gastroenteritis)
- Brain disorders like meningitis
Consult you healthcare provider for a detailed medical checkup and treatment where applicable. Seeking medical advice ensures proper pregnancy nausea relief and rules out underlying conditions.
And, you can have a family member, a friend, or engage a caregiver, especially if you have other young children to take care of. An extra hand will give you support you always need. If you’re looking for more morning sickness remedies and expert pregnancy tips, explore our resources or consult a healthcare professional today!
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- Asrih M, Wei S, Nguyen TT, Yi HS, Ryu D, Gariani K. Overview of growth differentiation factor 15 in metabolic syndrome. J Cell Mol Med. 2023 May;27(9):1157-1167. doi: 10.1111/jcmm.17725. Epub 2023 Mar 29. PMID: 36992609; PMCID: PMC10148061. ↩︎
- Effect of Acupressure by Sea-Bands on Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy
Steele, Nancy M. et al.
Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, Volume 30, Issue ↩︎
