How to deal with morning sickness at the start of pregnancy
Morning sickness can strike at any time of day or night, especially at the start of pregnancy. Here’s a few things that could help make your first, delicate trimester a little easier to stomach.
- Keep topped up with plenty of fluids – take small sips often to help prevent vomiting.
- Eat whatever pregnancy-safe foods are appealing to you.
- Eat small, frequent meals and that include carbohydrates.
- Avoid spicy or rich foods.
- Steer clear of foods that smell unpalatable.
- Have a small snack, like toast or crackers, first thing in the morning.
- Drink ginger beverages or eat gingery snacks.
- Make a note of what you eat to see if you can learn which foods trigger nausea.
- Get plenty of fresh air.
- Try to get some rest.
- Experiment with acupressure—it works for some people.
- Do not take over-the-counter medicines to treat motion sickness or nausea. Speak to your doctor if you think your nausea requires medication.
- To ensure your good nutrition, talk to your doctor if you are vomiting frequently or if your severe morning sickness isn’t subsiding by the 4th month.
- Speak to your doctor if your urine is extremely dark or if you have other symptoms that concern you.
- For any other aches and pains, read our checklist on pregnancy pains and discomfort.
Sources
Public Health Agency of Canada. Common Pregnancy Complaints. www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/pregnancy/complaints.html Accessed August 2020.
SOGC Clinical Practice Guideline No. 339: The Management of Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2016;38(12):1127-1137.
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