Morning sickness is common among moms-to-be in the first trimester. Often, it comes on as waves of nausea, which ease up throughout the day. However, some pregnant ladies experience so-called "morning sickness" at other times of the day. Regardless of when you're experiencing this nausea and lack of appetite, it is important to take care of yourself throughout the process. Not only can morning sickness be miserable to deal with, but it can lead to fluid imbalances, loss of electrolytes, and poor nutrition if you're not careful. So, here are some pregnancy care tips for ladies with morning sickness.
Eat a good meal when you can.
When you have a break from your morning sickness symptoms, whether that break comes every afternoon or every few days, make sure you have a good meal while that break lasts. Eat plenty of nutrient-rich foods like fruits, veggies, and lean meats. Focus on getting some protein into the meal, as this will help you stay full and perhaps less nauseous in the hours to come.
Stay away from caffeine.
OBGYNs often tell their patients it's okay to have some caffeine during pregnancy as long as they don't over-indulge. However, if you're dealing with morning sickness, it may be best to avoid caffeine entirely. Caffeine is a diuretic and can therefore make dehydration worse. If you're already vomiting, which also leads to dehydration, your body does not need the extra challenge of caffeine. You should, however, drink whatever non-caffeinated beverages you can stomach. Decaffeinated coffee, herbal teas, and fruit waters are all good choices.
Meet with a dietitian.
If your morning sickness is severe enough to cause you to skip meals, ask your OBGYN to recommend a dietitian for you to meet with. They can recommend foods that will help you meet your needs and your baby's needs, but without causing so much digestive distress. They can also give you strategies to help track your eating and make sure you're eating enough in spite of your nausea.
Try aromatherapy.
Various essential oils can help ease nausea associated with morning sickness. Some women find that citrus oils work best, while others benefit from lavender or vanilla. Try infusing your room with some of these scents, and see whether they make you feel better.
Morning sickness usually subsides in the second trimester. So, as long as you take care of yourself through this first trimester by following the tips above, you can rest assured that you're doing your best for your baby. To learn more about pregnancy care, contact a company such as Sandhills OB-GYN.
When my husband and I struggled to conceive our second child, I knew something wasn't right, but I wasn't sure what. I went through several appointments with my OBGYN before finding out that I had an autoimmune disease that affected my thyroid, which in turn affected my fertility. The process was overwhelming, and the feelings I faced afterward were challenging. I knew that there had to be others going through the same thing, and I didn't want them to feel alone. I created this site to share what I've learned about fertility and gynecology in the hopes of reaching people like me and helping them understand, too.