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Nausea
and vomiting during pregnancy, which we commonly call
morning sickness, affects from 50 to 80% of pregnant
women. Women have been suffering for centuries, but we
really don't know the exact mechanisms or causes.
Almost
three-quarters of pregnant women have nausea (and
often vomiting) during their first trimester. For some,
it's worse in the morning and gets better over the course
of the day, but "morning sickness" can strike at any time
through out the day.
Try to avoid any foods or
smells that trigger your nausea. Eating foods that are
cold or at room temperature, since they have less of an
odor than hot foods.
Keep simple snacks, such
as crackers, by your bedside. When you first wake up,
nibble a few crackers and then rest for 20 to 30 minutes
before getting out of bed.
Eat small, frequent
meals or snacks throughout the day so that your stomach is
never empty.
Avoid fatty foods, which
take longer to digest, particularly during pregnancy, when
your stomach takes longer to empty.
Try drinking fluids only
between meals, and limit them during meals. Though it's
important to keep yourself well hydrated, you don't want
to drink so much at once that your stomach feels full,
since that will make you less hungry for food.
Give yourself time to
relax and take naps if you can. For some reason tiredness
seems to also affect the sickness.
Talk to your
practitioner about taking
vitamin B6. B6 eases nausea in some women.
If nothing else works
for you, talk to your practitioner about taking an
anti-nausea medication.
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