Combating nausea during pregnancy

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Nausea during pregnancy, unlike the name morning sickness, occurs all through the day. Experts believe that morning sickness is due to the ever-increasing levels of oestrogen and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) in early pregnancy. The only solace to suffering this queasy feeling is that nausea means your baby is doing well due to the high levels of pregnancy hormones. But that definitely does not mean that something is wrong with your baby when you don’t have nausea.

Here’s what you can do to combat this lousy feeling –

1. Happy and Healthy Eating:

Nausea is usually due to low blood sugar and acidity. Eat small meals every 2-3 hours. This way, you will not feel bloated and can avoid heartburns too.

Keep a biscuit or an unbuttered toast handy to make you feel better whenever you are nauseous. Avoid spicy, fatty, rich food. Stay away from strong smelling foods which may worsen your nausea.

Try sucking on a ginger candy, or eating a biscuit immediately on waking up before getting up from bed.

Balance your diet with plenty of whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables. Cold meals are better than hot food.

2. Fresh Smells:

Try using peppermint or lemon hand lotions and sniff it when you feel nauseous since different fragrances have been found to settle the stomach. You could also try keeping a handkerchief with the scent of lemon or peppermint oil close to you to sniff on when you feel a wave of nausea is about to hit you.

3. Herbal Tea:

Herbal remedies like ginger, peppermint, spearmint can be incorporated into tea. Consume this concoction and make yourself feel better.

4. Hydration:

Dehydration aggravates nausea. Hence drink lots of water and avoid carbonated and caffeinated drinks which cause dehydration. Suck on an ice cube which eases nausea and keeps you hydrated.

5. Nausea Diary:

Maintain your morning sickness peaks in a diary, so that if helps you find the best times to eat and drink. This also helps you to keep track of the foods which suit you without making you nauseous.

6. Alternate Therapy:

Try different therapies like reflexology, aromatherapy or pressure therapy. Use acupressure wrist bands which isolate nausea-relieving pressure points and help you feel better. Reflexology helps you to relax and calm your mind and body.

7. Rest or Distract Yourself:

Take ample rest whenever possible or else distract yourself by reading a book, solving puzzles or simply listening to some soothing music.