So you’ve heard about eating saltine crackers and drinking ginger ale to combat the effects of morning sickness during pregnancy? But, often the nausea of pregnancy is a bit more challenging than those simple remedies. Here are some tips for combating the triggers and coping with the realities of those early nauseous months of morning sickness:
Scents and smells can be really strong triggers for many women who wrestle with morning sickness–keeping things airy and well-ventilated can help. You may need to have a window open when you cook or when you are in an area where people are eating. Some women are really susceptible to people’s perfumes, colognes, shampoos and body lotions. If you work with people who’s “scents” are disrupting, you can try talking with them about it or keeping a window open (or a fan nearby) to use air flow to combat the smells. I was once told to keep a small handkerchief (you can actually find these often at garage sales and thrift stores) handy to cover my nose when I was pregnant and nauseous. It works!
In addition to ginger ale, an “old wive’s tale” is that pineapple juice is good for morning sickness. Sipping it slowly seems to be the key. Cool water and mint tea can also help quell bouts of nausea.
One mother told me that she wore some of those bands available for seasickness–the kind that are supposed to help prevent sea sickness by pressing on certain areas in a person’s wrist. These can be bought at stores that cater to travelers and tourists, as well as some drugstores or pharmacies.
Another “old wive’s” remedy for morning sickness or nausea is to eat and drink very cold (icy cold) or very hot (like soups and broths) foods and beverages. When I was pregnant with my first daughter, icy cold slushies or light milkshakes seemed to be all I could keep down for the first few months. This is why chewing on ice chips, or sipping hot soup can be helpful for women suffering from morning sickness. Eating and sipping slowly seems to help keep a little something on the stomach which can help quell the nausea–or at least keep it from being so severe.
Letting yourself go too long without having something to eat or drink, or not getting enough fresh, cool air can aggravate morning sickness. So keep your world well-ventilated and a handy collection of snacks and beverages nearby to ward off the waves of nausea.
