Fighting First Trimester Nausea Naturally
Morning sickness can be debilitating. Explore natural, food-based strategies to manage nausea and keep yourself nourished during this challenging time.
Understanding Morning Sickness
"Morning sickness" is a misnomer—it can strike at any time of day or night. It's caused by a surge in pregnancy hormones and can range from mild queasiness to severe vomiting. While it's a positive sign of a healthy, developing pregnancy, it can make getting proper nutrition very difficult.
Dietary Strategies to Combat Nausea
- Eat Small and Often: An empty stomach can trigger nausea. Keep simple snacks like crackers or pretzels by your bed to eat before you even get up. Graze on small meals every 1.5 to 2 hours throughout the day.
- Focus on Bland Carbs: Plain toast, rice, bananas, and applesauce are easy to digest and can help settle your stomach.
- Harness the Power of Ginger: Ginger is a well-researched natural remedy for nausea. Sip on ginger tea, try ginger chews, or even grate fresh ginger into hot water.
- Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can worsen nausea. If water is hard to stomach, try ice chips, popsicles, or water infused with a little lemon.
- Separate Liquids and Solids: Try not to drink much during your meals. Instead, sip fluids 30 minutes before or after you eat.
If your nausea is severe and you're unable to keep any food or liquid down, contact your healthcare provider immediately. You may have a more serious condition called hyperemesis gravidarum that requires medical treatment.