The exact cause of morning sickness remains a mystery but it is widely considered to be the result of hormonal, physiological and neurological factors.
It can strike anytime from about 5 weeks of pregnancy and usually continues until about week sixteen of pregnancy, although some women have the misfortune of being plagued right up until after their baby's birth.
To prevent morning sickness you could try some of the following:
- Minimise your exposure to smells to which you may be sensitive. These may include cigarette smoke, meat being cooked, even your partner's cologne!
- Decrease or (preferably) stop smoking.
- Eat at the first sign of hunger.
- Eat a piece of toast, a dry biscuit or have small sips of a hot drink before you climb out of bed in the morning.
- Eat frequent, small meals instead of three main meals. Allowing sugar levels to drop too low will exacerbate morning sickness.
- Eat low fat protein and carbohydrate-rich foods.
- Avoid foods that are high in fat or that are fried and greasy.
- Lemonade, ginger ale or other carbonated (caffeine free) beverages have been reported to ease morning sickness.
- Ginger capsules and ginger root tea have also been known to reduce morning sickness. It is important to remember though, that this is one of the many herbal treatments of which safety in pregnancy has not been established.
In my second pregnancy I was told that a particular brand of antacid tablet would ease the morning sickness. It didn't, but for the woman who recommended it, it was a great help. What works for one woman may not necessarily work for another.
Let me know if you have any other suggestions that may be helpful to preggie mums.
Kerry
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