More than what we read about morning sickness, we’ve heard a lot about it from many pregnant women. Morning sickness is an unpleasant accessory to one’s pregnancy. Probably this is nature’s way of preparing a woman for the eventual hardships that she will face shortly. Studies reveal that 80% of pregnant women suffer from morning sickness during pregnancy. Although it is an irritable health condition, it does not cause any harm to the mother and child in the majority of cases unless the symptoms are extremely severe.

What is Morning Sickness?

Despite the word indicating “morning”, it is not necessary that this condition turns up only in the mornings. It may affect pregnant women at any time of the day. Surprisingly, it can even be in the middle of a night. This may include nausea and vomiting or just the vomiting sensation without the actual vomiting. Though I’ve heard many women complaining of this discomfort till their 5th month, it is more common in the first trimester of the gestation period. But few women may have this even in their third trimester. Call a doctor if there are persistently extreme symptoms if you pass dark coloured urine or very less amount of it, if you feel faint or dizzy, and if the blood in vomiting and high heartbeat is seen.

Here are some ways by which you may get some relief from your morning sickness:

Divide Your Meal in Multiple Small Portions

Nausea worsens if the stomach is empty. Frequently eating small portions of your meal helps the sugar levels on an even tone. Keep nutrition-rich snacks aside for munching throughout the day. If vomited, big meals are a waste without serving the purpose and hence go for the smaller ones.

Go For a Protein Rich Diet

Consume foods that are easily digestible and are rich in protein and vitamin B. Keep oily, acidic, and spicy foods away as such contents can erupt nausea.

Pick Cold Meal Not to Get Cooking Smells

I was on my toes during my pregnancy days when garlic was being used in cooking and boiling. It used to drive me nuts. Cold foods do not emit the food aroma as hot food does. This subsides your nausea to some extent. Continue having cold foods till your nausea becomes a passé cloud.

Increase Drinks in Between Meals

If you have a tough time keeping down the volume of fluids, avoid taking them during meals. However, add fluids in between the meals as it is essential to be hydrated during your pregnancy.

Sniff the Aroma of Citrus Fruits or Ginger

Citrus fruits such as lemon, orange, and sweet lime may help you ease your vomiting sensation. Ginger also works similarly if sniffed. Add lemon and ginger to your green tea or black tea to get rid of nausea.

Keep Perfumes and Scents Away

Surprisingly perfumes and aromatic scents trigger nausea. Body odours are quite irritating as I disliked my husband’s body odour which I earlier liked very much. The poor creature had to always be away from me. Avoiding these can help you get better.

Take Anti-nausea Tic Pills On Prescription

Take a suggestion from your doctor in using the anti-nauseatic pills if you have too many issues with it or if the nausea is persistent even after the first trimester.

Get a Fresh Breath

Get out and take a fresh breath in a garden or greenery. Avoid areas with heavy blooms as pollen may erupt the nausea tic elements in you. A fresh breeze can take away nausea.

Try and figure out these tips to conquer morning sickness. Understand that this is a temporary element and you will see days with the perfectly rising sun. Enduring this discomfort would prepare you for the required toughness when you become a mother.

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Pregnancy is a joyous event for a family; however, it often takes a toll on a woman’s body. Her changing body and hormones not only makes her nauseous quite often, but also makes her vulnerable. Her health is as important as the health of the baby she is carrying. One of the best ways to ensure that she remains healthy and strong is through a good and balanced diet. Healthy foods provide the appropriate amount of nutrition that the mother and baby both need in order to remain hale and hearty.

Following is a list of foods that women should avoid during pregnancy:

Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages are a big ‘No No!’ for pregnant women. Even though a few studies have recently revealed that having a drink once a week may not actually harm the baby, however, most medical professionals are of the opinion that alcohol of all sorts should be strictly avoided during pregnancy. The reason behind this is that the alcohol consumed by you can be easily absorbed by the placenta and will then reach the baby whose liver is not strong enough to handle the liquor. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy has been known to affect a baby’s physical growth and internal organs, and in many cases has also caused a miscarriage.

Caffeine

Doctors often advise women to avoid coffee during pregnancy since the high caffeine content can negatively impact a baby’s breathing and heart rate. It can occasionally cause miscarriage as well.

Fish

I know that fish in this list seems odd since fish are a rich source of protein which is extremely good for pregnant women. However, certain types of fish, such as – king mackerel contain toxic levels of mercury and thus should be avoided. Even raw and undercooked food should be avoided as it may contain bacteria.

Milk

Just like fish even milk is good for a mother’s health because it contains calcium, proteins and many other health minerals, but, unpasteurized milk may contain harmful bacteria so it should be avoided.

Raw Meat

Undercooked or raw meat should be avoided as there is a risk that it may be contaminated with toxoplasmosis, coliform bacteria and salmonella.

Raw Eggs

These should also be avoided as they too may contain salmonella.

Soft Cheeses

These types of cheese often contain listeria.

Let us now look at the foods that pregnant women can have:

• Meat, eggs and fish that has been properly cooked and prepared. Fish, eggs and meat contain numerous minerals that help in the development of your child. In case of fish, you should keep in mind to have small fishes instead of large ones.
• Pasteurized milk is extremely good for both mother and baby due to its high calcium content.
• Hard cheeses, such as Swiss or cheddar cheese, are a good alternative to soft cheeses.

Even though the above-mentioned foods are good for a pregnant women’s health, oftentimes nausea causes aversion to one or more types of these foods. In such cases, consult your doctor for medical advice.

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