8 Tips to Reduce your Morning Sickness

Finding yourself wondering why it's called morning sickness when it happens all day? You’re not alone, around half to two thirds of pregnant women experience morning sickness during their pregnancy.

Most commonly in the first trimester around the 6 week mark, and especially at week 8 as that is when your hormones are changing rapidly, however it can continue longer or start earlier for some women. Sometimes pregnancy isn't all joy and happiness in those first few weeks, you're not alone if you feel this way.

The more severe form of morning sickness which some celebrities have suffered from Eg Kate Middleton is Hyperemesis Gravidarum; Severe vomiting, nausea, weight loss and potentially dehydration. It's quite rare and is estimated to affect up to 2% of pregnant women. 

​Why do you get morning sickness? Some possible causes are changes in your hormones during pregnancy especially a rise in Oestrogen, blood pressure fluctuations or changes in the way your carbohydrates are metabolised. 
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Some of the symptoms other than nausea and vomiting can also be loss of appetite, depression and anxiety.
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Try these tips to reduce your morning sickness:

1. ​Try eating a few plain crackers or a healthy high protein snacks like nuts in the morning before getting out of bed.
2. Eat smaller meals more regularly and avoiding having an empty stomach.
3. Add some ginger into your diet via food, drink or supplementation. It’s a natural stomach soother. 
4. Freezing an electrolyte drink to keep you hydrated if you are struggling to keep anything down. Include smaller quantities of fluids more often.
5. Pregnancy teas. Some of the herbs used in teas can reduce nausea especially the ginger.
6. Try taking your pregnancy vitamins in the evening - sometimes they can be a bit hard for your gut to digest first thing in the morning.
7. Add extra magnesium to your diet. There has been a recent link with magnesium deficiency and nausea. Try adding avocado’s, spinach, almonds, pumpkin seeds, green leafy vegetables and dark chocolate (thought you’d like that one) to your diet.
8. Rest  as tiredness can make your symptoms worse. 

The act of vomiting causes no harm to your foetus, however the prolonged dehydration and lack of nutrition can. In which case if you’re vomiting and it won’t stop contact your health care provider.
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References: 
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancy-morning-sickness
http://natural-fertility-info.com/morning-sickness.html
http://natural-fertility-info.com/importance-of-magnesium.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/179633.php