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Dealing With Morning Sickness: A Comprehensive Guide

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Morning sickness is tough. It typically occurs when no one knows you're pregnant, so you're having to keep track of what you've said to who, (did you tell your boss it was a flu or a stomach bug?) or trying locate the least-used bathroom all while feeling like you have a terrible hangover (without any of the fun). Here's what to know about dealing with morning sickness in first trimester and beyond.

What to know about morning sickness and how to deal with it

When Does Morning Sickness Start?

Morning sickness is most common during the first trimester of pregnancy but can go beyond. Many women who experience it will notice morning sickness from around 6-9 weeks after conception. Not all women experience nausea or sickness during their pregnancy, but it is common and not reserved for mornings. It can come at any time of the day.

How Long Does Morning Sickness Last?

This can vary, but for most women morning sickness will disappear during the second trimester or from around weeks 16-20. A very small percentage suffer from morning sickness all the way through their pregnancy, and some have nausea return during the third trimester due to the baby growing and putting pressure on their intestines. If morning sickness is prolonged and extreme it may be diagnosed as hyperemesis gravidarum.

When Does Morning Sickness Stop?

Morning sickness is caused by a change in hormones which can lead to feelings of nauseaness. During the first 6-12 weeks of pregnancy there are a ton of hormones flying around the body which is when women often feel at their worst. If you're wondering 'why did my morning sickness' suddenly stop, you might be in the second trimester as thankfully, by around 16 weeks, you can expect to start feeling better.

What Are The Common Symptoms of Morning Sickness?

We're not going to sugarcoat it -morning sickness seriously sucks. It's not pleasant and can absolutely affect your daily life during the first trimester especially. If you're feeling nauseous all the time but not throwing up, that's a pretty common symptom of morning sickness. Around two thirds of all pregnant women will experience it to some degree or another with the most common symptoms including:

  • Nausea particularly in the mornings, but can also be throughout the day
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite

What Causes Morning Sickness & Nausea?

There are a few different possible explanations when it comes to working out what exactly causes you to feel so unwell during pregnancy. Some of the possible causes include:

  • Hormonal changes: High levels of estrogen is thought to be a potential factor
  • Fluctuating blood pressure: especially for those with low blood pressure
  • Changed metabolism of carbohydrates
  • Physical and chemical changes during pregnancy: your body is doing huge things guys (you're literally growing a human!)

The Best Morning Sickness Relief Tips & Suggestions

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— PHOEBE SIMMONDS, CO-FOUNDER.

1. Foods That Fight Nausea During Pregnancy

One of the easiest things you can do if you're feeling nauseous while pregnant is adjust what you're eating. Nutrition Australia recommends carbohydrate-rich snacks like cheese and crackers, toast, cereal or fruit.

What to eat when nauseous but hungry?

  • Dry biscuits
  • Smaller but more frequent meals
  • Weak cup of tea and glass of water
  • Bring a range of different foods with you when you're out (salty and sweet)

What to avoid?

  • Fatty, spicy foods
  • Coffee
  • Don't skip meals
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2. Drink all the fluids

It's obvious but worth mentioning that you need to keep up your fluids during pregnancy but especially if you're experiencing morning sickness. You should aim to drink at least 6-8 glases of water a day and can also suck on crushed ice to help you hit that target. Some other great fluids to drink if you can't manage water include ginger ale, lemonade, ginger tea, fruit juice, or even clear broth. The Bink Mama Bottle can help you make sure you're getting the fluids you need.

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3. Morning Sickness Medication

If you're wondering 'is it normal to be nauseous all day when pregnant', unfortunately morning sickness is relatively normal. However, that doesn't mean there is nothing to be done about it. Medication is another route you can explore for sickness in pregnancy. It's generally the last option most women take, as many are reluctant to take anything whilst pregnant, however there are safe options available. These are some morning sickness medications your doctor might prescribe:

  • Ginger tablets
  • Acupressure wrist bands
  • Vitamin B6
  • Antihistamines
  • Metoclopramide
  • Prochlorperazine

Another option to explore is taking a pregnancy multivitamin like the Prenatal Trimester One from Naturobest. It's designed specifically for the first trimester as well as a morning sickness relief formula. With added ginger, it provides your unique nutrient needs and can also help to reduce the frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

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Feel a little more empowered to face morning sickness? Dealing with nausea is never fun, and we understand it can take a big toll on your day to day activities. If you are concerned about your sickness, make sure to speak to your doctor about your individual situation so they can help you feel your best during your pregnancy.

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