home remedies for morning sickness

Natural Home remedies that can help ease morning sickness

Morning sickness is a common experience during early pregnancy, which is characterized by nausea and vomiting. Although it can be uncomfortable, several home remedies for morning sickness exist.

Pregnancy is undoubtedly the most beautiful and exciting experience that occurs in a woman’s life. The joy of growing a life inside oneself is unparalleled. However, a woman encounters various physical, hormonal, and emotional changes during pregnancy. Morning sickness is one of the most common conditions among pregnant women and appears due to hormonal changes in the body. Despite its name, morning sickness can happen at any time of the day or night.

Morning sickness is common during early pregnancy, and there is nothing to worry about. It causes nausea and vomiting, which most pregnant women experience during their first trimester. In some cases, morning sickness becomes so severe that a pregnant woman vomits several times a day, and stands the risk of dehydration. This severe form of morning sickness is known as “hyperemesis gravidarum “in medical terms, which means excess vomiting during pregnancy.  

Morning Sickness: Signs and Symptoms

Morning sickness can be triggered by smelling certain odours or eating certain foods. It usually begins around 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy and ends between 16 and 20 weeks. Some of the most common symptoms of morning sickness include the following:

  • Nausea with or without vomiting
  • A feeling of dizziness when standing up
  • Loss of appetite
  • Pain in the stomach
  • Fatigue
  • Sensitivity to certain smells
home remedies for morning sickness
(Pic Credit- freepik)

The severe form of morning sickness is known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). It causes severe nausea and vomiting that can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and electrolyte imbalances. Women with HG may require hospitalization to receive intravenous fluids and medications to control their symptoms.

If you are also experiencing these symptoms during your pregnancy, try to consult your doctor immediately.

CAUSES OF MORNING SICKNESS

The severity of morning sickness varies according to the hormonal levels of women during pregnancy.

Here are some of the common causes of morning sickness:

  • Blood sugar fluctuations
  • Hormonal changes
  • Emotional stress
  • Stomach emptying
  • Increased sense of smell
  • Frequent travelling
  • Having twins or triplets

RISK FACTORS

Most medical experts believe that morning sickness is associated with hormonal changes during pregnancy. Although some other reasons increase a woman’s chances of having morning sickness, it happens to almost every woman during her pregnancy, but most likely develops in those who had morning sickness during a prior pregnancy, have twins or triplets, or have a sensitive stomach.

Complications Due to Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is usually not severe, but some pregnant women experience severe vomiting and unintentional weight loss. Therefore, if left untreated, it may harm you and your baby.

  • Lack of bodily fluids
  • Imbalance in electrolytes
  • Inability to keep food down
  • Dehydration
  • Weight loss
  • Alkalosis
  • Hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood)

Home Remedies for Morning Sickness

Nausea and vomiting can happen anytime during the pregnancy and make you feel terrible. Here are some home remedies for morning sickness that can help reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy without using medications.

01. Ginger

Ginger is one of the most popular home remedies for morning sickness. The anti-inflammatory properties of this flavourful spice help to calm your body and reduce nausea. It is known for its tummy-taming properties. Sometimes the smell of fresh ginger calms an upset stomach. You can have it in many ways, such as in teas, candies, smoothies, salads, or sauces.

Ginger: home remedies for morning sickness
(Pic Credit- freepik)

02. Mint

Menthol, which is present in mint, has a cooling effect that helps relax the stomach. Mint is suggested as a great remedy for treating stomach issues. Therefore, it is also helpful in easing the discomfort from morning sickness. Eating mint can help you feel less nauseated. You can also have peppermint tea to get relief from any discomfort.

03. Stay Hydrated

During pregnancy, it is very important to stay hydrated, as dehydration is one of the most serious consequences of morning sickness. Therefore, pregnant women should drink at least 8 ounces of liquid daily. Try drinking tea and water with fruit slices to keep yourself hydrated and refreshed.

Drinking water: home remedies for morning sickness
(Pic Credit- freepik)

04. Lemon

Lemons, because of their citric acid content, aid digestion and soothe the stomach. You can have lemons in many ways such as adding lemon juice to water, and inhaling the scent of fresh lemon can reduce the symptoms of morning sickness.

05. Chamomile Tea

Among the most popular home remedies for morning sickness, is chamomile tea. With a sedative effect, chamomile tea helps you feel sleepy when nauseous. Other than this, chamomile tea is also beneficial for reducing inflammation, soothing cold symptoms, and helping you get to sleep at night. Add one tablespoon of dried or fresh chamomile flowers to one cup of boiling water to make chamomile tea.

(Pic Credit- freepik)

Chamomile tea is known for its calming properties and is one of the most effective home remedies for vomiting during pregnancy.

06. Acupuncture or Acupressure

Acupressure includes applying pressure to specific areas of the body to help relieve different issues. Nausea can also be treated by applying pressure on pressure points like the inner wrist to provide some relief. Acupressure can also be done at home and is one of the most popular home remedies for vomiting during pregnancy.

07. Foods Rich in Vitamin B6

Consuming vitamin B6-rich foods can reduce morning sickness symptoms in some pregnant women. Good sources of vitamin B6-rich foods are salmon, avocados, dried fruits like raisins, bananas, and spinach. It is also an important vitamin for the healthy development of a baby’s brain and nervous system. So, make sure you are consuming vitamin B6-rich foods as it is one of the most effective home remedies for vomiting during pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Morning sickness happens to almost every woman during pregnancy. It is a temporary condition that goes away after some time. The severity of this condition varies according to the hormonal levels of the woman. Several remedies can ease the discomfort of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. For treating morning sickness during pregnancy, there are various options.

In this article, we discussed some natural ways to ease morning sickness, including consuming ginger tea, B6 vitamin-rich foods, lemon juice, and coconut water. Pick up what suits you and get relief from the discomfort. However, dealing with severe morning sickness can be tough. Therefore, if you are feeling nauseous very often, you should immediately consult your healthcare provider. They can assist you in dealing with the situation and guide you on this.

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