What You Should Do If You Feel Nauseous While Pregnant
Anyone who has been pregnant knows that "morning sickness" is a misnomer. For some people, morning sickness can crop up all day, every day. A survey conducted by National Analysts Worldwide reported that 80% of women suffer from nausea and vomiting lasting 2-6 hours per day during pregnancy (per PR Newswire). On the bright side, it can be a sign of a healthy pregnancy; according to the National Institutes of Health, studies suggest that women who experience nausea during pregnancy are less likely to miscarry.
So if you're experiencing nausea, that's a great sign, but that doesn't mean you should have to just suffer through it. Nausea typically resolves after the first trimester for most people, but in the meantime, it often interferes with productivity, daily activities, and quality of life. According to PR Newswire, nearly half of pregnant women end up missing work because their nausea is so severe. Fortunately, there are methods of alleviating nausea and vomiting, so that you do not have to deal with it every day for weeks on end.
This is what to do if you experience nausea during pregnancy.
The American Pregnancy Association recommends giving yourself time — as much as an hour — to wake up and get out of bed in the morning, and to keep a bland snack such as dry cereal or crackers near your bed so you can eat a little bit as soon as you wake up. Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day and eat small meals periodically, doing your best to avoid smells and foods that trigger nausea. However, be sure to maintain healthy levels of vitamin B6. When it is time for dinner, stick to bland foods that do not have an overwhelming odor.
In addition, the American Pregnancy Association suggests using PregEase, Preggie Pops, and Nip the Nausea drops. Crackers, ginger, and peppermint tea could also be helpful. While you should not nap right after eating, you should rest whenever possible. According to Medical News Today, it would also be a good idea to keep busy; this could keep your mind off of your feelings of nausea.
If none of these strategies are effective, speak to your doctor about other ways to cope with your nausea. Seeing a doctor is especially important if you vomit blood, vomit more than four times in a day, lose more than two pounds, or if you are unable to hold down fluids for more than a day. These are symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition that afflicts roughly 0.3% of pregnant women, and can cause malnutrition and dehydration.