6 Tips for Morning Sickness Relief

You’re a few weeks into your pregnancy, and you wake up in the morning with an awful taste in your mouth. You begin to salivate, and soon, you feel nauseous to the point of vomiting. You lose
your appetite, and certain foods and scents suddenly trigger trips to the bathroom. To the medical
community, this is a condition known as nausea gravidarum, but most people call it morning sickness.

A misnomer
The term morning sickness is a misnomer, points out Ina Pelaez Crisologo, M.D., obstetrician-gynecologist at UP Philippine General Hospital. For some expectant moms, morning sickness strikes not only when they wake up, but throughout the entire day, or at times, during evenings only. It commonly occurs during the first trimester, reaching its peak on week 8 to 14 and subsiding on the 16th to 20th week of pregnancy. At times, it may last until the third trimester.

Imelda Campaña, M.D., obstetrician-gynecologist at The Medical City, adds that the symptoms differ for every woman, and even per pregnancy. Some women manage better than others. They can keep themselves from vomiting and can down their food more easily. Others, however, experience the symptoms more extremely, practically throwing up the entire day.

What causes it
There is no definite explanation as to why some women undergo morning sickness and others don’t. Certain articles suggest that the baby’s sex can affect the condition (with it being more frequent if the baby is female), but Dr. Campaña says she has not heard of any credible study proving this. Studies do show that the condition is closely associated with the rise of estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced by the placenta, which increases rapidly in the first few weeks. Aside from nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite, other symptoms may include sensitivity to smell and light and loss of sense of well-being.

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Because women experience morning sickness differently, there is no one-size-fits-all cure to relieve one of it. Production of hormones can’t be prevented so the symptoms can’t be eliminated and only properly managed. But here are some tried techniques that may work for you:

Tip 1: Have small, frequent feedings.
Dr. Crisologo states that it is all right to give in to food cravings while pregnant, as long as you take everything in moderation. When you experience a loss of appetite, it’s good to be able to take in whatever food appeals to you and feels tolerable. Dr. Campaña suggests gelatin, crackers, and milk, or soft (bland) foods like lugaw and oatmeal, which are easier to digest. Have small frequent snacks; taking in too much food releases more of the stomach’s acids, which may trigger the vomiting.

Tip 2: Find a snack to help curb that “metallic taste.”
Anna Beltran, 28, shares that the bitter taste inside the mouth is exactly what she used to feel during her pregnancy. What worked for her was chewing on candies that made the awful taste subside. Others suggest sucking on lemons or lemon candy, munching on ginger biscuits, or sipping ginger tea. Dr. Crisologo suggests using real ginger, about two tablespoons of crushed ginger in warm water with honey. If these still don’t work for you, explore other options: Try certain fruits, dark chocolate, or even ice cubes. A word of caution though, if it’s sand, paper, or other inorganic material you crave (a condition known as pica), it would surely be safer to snack on something else!

Tip 3: Try vitamin B Complex.
Studies have shown that the B Complex vitamins (Vitamin B1, B6, and B12) have also been effective in helping curb morning sickness. Because these are water-soluble vitamins, there is also no harm of toxicity or harmful effect on the baby.

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Tip 4: Relief can be aided by some medication.
When hyperacidity becomes a problem, some doctors prescribe antacids or antispasmodic drugs like Buscopan (hyoscine-N-butylbromide) to relax the muscles in the stomach. In cases of severe vomiting, antiemetic (anti-vomiting) drugs like Plasil (Metoclopramide) can also be taken as prescribed by the doctor. Even Bonamine (Meclizine Hydrochloride), which is usually taken to soothe motion sickness, may work. If vomiting prevents you from getting enough sleep and causes severe anxiety, Dr. Campaña says there may be a need to sedate. But as always, report your symptoms to your ob-gyne so he can evaluate if the medication is suitable.

Tip 5: Drink lots of liquids.
Keeping hydrated is essential not only to avoid lightheadedness, but also to relieve dryness of the throat and to replace the fluids one has expelled from the body. A pregnant woman should drink water as often as she can, preferably about 10 to 14 glasses a day. If you feel too weakened by dehydration, consult your ob-gyne in case you need to hydrate via intravenous drip.

Tip 6: It helps to accept it mentally.
Dr. Campaña tells her patients to see nausea as a positive thing because it is usually an indication that the pregnancy is going well. It is a sign that the body is adjusting to the changes pregnancy brings, which include the production of certain hormones and weakening of the immune system (in order for the body to accept the baby’s presence more easily). On another note, she also shares that stress or external anxiety can worsen the symptoms of morning sickness. Women who are more competitive and exposed to stress are more likely to experience acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), in which swallowed food tends to regurgitate back up the esophagus and to the mouth. At times, this can carry over during pregnancy; in this case, rest and relaxation should help.

Constant communication
Remember: Every pregnancy is different, that’s why it’s important to always communicate your feelings and experiences with your doctor. The more information he has, the better he’ll be able to evaluate your condition.

Photo from sxc.hu