Many will tell you that pregnancy is not an illness, but let's just assume those are the same people who, as it turns out, know nothing about what it feels like to spend the morning (or whole day!) with your head in the toilet bowl.
Morning sickness can start as early as six weeks into pregnancy, with many experiencing a peak around the eight-nine week mark. And the stats are not in our favour, ladies, as statistically, as many as 70 percent of women will experience nausea early in pregnancy, and about 50 percent will actually vomit daily. It's just such a magical time!
But if you find yourself unable to keep your breakfast down (that is if you could manage to eat it in the first place!), fear not; there
are ways to help you combat, or, at least, improve that dreaded sense of sick.
1. Take a sick day
If you find yourself crying at the thought of leaving your bed (or bathroom floor), then don't. Putting yourself under stress and pressure will certainly do nothing in helping you feel less sick, and remember this: You are growing human. Now is the time to be kind to yourself.
2. Sniff a fresh scent
Be it your co-workers perfume or the smell of boiled eggs, when you are pregnant, the strangest of things can literally turn your stomach. This is because estrogen is the hormone that's responsible for the sense of smell, and when you are pregnant, you are high on the stuff.
A great tip is to bring a cut lemon in a plastic bag in your handbag, or a sprig of fresh rosemary, as both of these have a fresh scent that can "restore" your stomach again if you have been exposed to a smell you didn't like.
3. Drink enough water
Trying to get through eight glasses a day can feel pretty flipping hard when you can barely swallow your own saliva without getting sick. But think of it this way: The more dehydrated you become, the more nauseated you'll become, so try getting liquid into you whatever way you can. For most women, keeping down freezing cold beverages are easier than something that is tepid or warm, so load up on ice cubes, mamas.
4. Eat little and often
When it comes to eating when suffering from morning sickness, many pregnant women find that grazing all day settles their stomachs. This could be because when your tummy is empty, the stomach acids have nothing to feast on but your stomach lining, compounding nausea. On the other hand, eating too much can overtax the digestive system, also leading to feeling sick.
The best solution for most is to keep your belly a little bit full (Yeah! Bring the biscuits!). Or, you know, keep a stash of semi-healthy crackers, nuts and dried fruits handy at all times. Also, a light snack before bedtime will stabilize your blood sugar throughout the night, and might make you less likely to wake up feeling sick.
5. Bring a Survival Kit
Puking in public is just not a fun experience (been there, felt the pain). But if you are preggers and prone to feeling sickly at random times throughout the day, at least make sure you always carry a little survival kit, should it happen. Pack a clean top, a toothbrush, maybe some mints, whatever it takes for your to be able to feel human again.
6. Go for ginger
Ginger is actually a great stomach soother, and many studies have been conducted on its effectiveness in treating and preventing morning sickness. Try to add a little to your tea, or snack on ginger biscuits if you want, it's all in the name of health!
7. Buy an acupressure wristband
These work by applying light pressure to a spot located inside the wrist believed to be related to nausea and vomiting.
8. Keep yourself distracted
It's not easy to ignore a constant need to puke, but finding something,
anything, to take your mind off it may help you forget it for a while. How about some online shopping for cute baby gear (highly recommend this technique!) or maybe some adult colouring – so trendy right now.
9. Keep a food diary
Every pregnant mum is different, so while your friend Breda might have been fine eating a full Irish or cheerios for breakfast, that does not mean that you won't spend the morning slumped over the toilet if you try. The best thing to do is to try and keep a food diary for a couple of days to take note of what foods make you feel ill and what your stomach can handle just fine.
10. Lie yourself down
Sometimes the most simple solution is by far the best. If you are feeling sick, sick, sick, take to the sofa, close your eyes and just rest. Pregnancy, especially the first few weeks, are draining, and your body is literally using all its energy to build a baby, so try just to let the world go by while you catch up on some R&R.
