Finding out you're pregnant can be the most exciting moment in a woman's life.
The first few months after that, though, can be some of the hardest.
In the early weeks/months of pregnancy, many women find themselves feeling like they have a horrible flu. While some women experience only mild nausea, others can't keep a single meal down.
Sometimes, the nausea is so bad that even a mild smell or sight can send a woman running to the bathroom.
All of these are symptoms of morning sickness, which despite its name, can regularly occur at any time of day. According to Fox News, around half of pregnant women experience morning sickness.
Doctors aren't entirely sure what causes morning sickness, but the general theory is that it is the body's reaction to increased levels of a hormone known as hCG.
This hormone is produced most during the first trimester, which is why many women find their morning sickness often dissipates after the first 12 weeks.
When morning sickness is so severe that it causes intense nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and electrolyte disturbance, it's called hyperemesis gravidarum. If you think you may be suffering from this condition, you should consult with your doctor.
Despite the sheer number of people who have morning sickness, there are still no perfect cures or remedies. Many women are able to find relief by doing a variety of things, including eating before getting out of bed, or applying acupressure to their wrists.
Morning sickness home remedies can actually be the most helpful when it comes to nausea — there are a lot of small lifestyle changes that can greatly impact the bad side effects of pregnancy.
Morning Sickness Remedy #1: Have Breakfast In Bed
If you normally get up in the morning and run straight to the bathroom, try staying in bed a little longer to eat something.
Instead of getting out of bed in the morning and starting to move right away, Baby Centre says that eating a small snack or meal before you get up in the morning can actually help calm nausea.
Morning Sickness Remedy #2: Sniff Lemons
This may be the most surprising remedy of all, but sniffing sliced lemons can help nausea, claims Baby Centre.
You can also add lemon slices to water or iced tea — taking sips can help refresh you and stave off nausea.
Morning Sickness Remedy #3: Ginger
According to Baby Centre, ginger helps settle your stomach.
Use it only in moderation, but try taking it in capsule, tablet, or syrup form.
You can also make ginger tea using the peeled, grated root.
Morning Sickness Remedy #4: Aromatherapy
Like sniffing lemon, other scents can also relieve nausea.
Other good choices for aromatherapy scents are lavender, peppermint, ginger, and spearmint.
Fox News explains that if you decide to use essential oils for your aromatherapy, you should speak with an aromatherapy expert since some may be unsafe to use.
Morning Sickness Remedy #5: Acupressure Bands
Some people absolutely swear by acupressure bands to relieve their nausea — you may have used them before on a boat to relieve seasickness, but they can also be great for morning sickness.
Although acupressure bands are a holistic approach that are not medically proven to work, Parents explains, "some women do find relief in them — whether it's truly from the acupressure, from the placebo effect of hoping to feel better and actually feeling better, or simply from distracting them from their nausea."
Morning Sickness Remedy #6: Eat Small, Frequent Meals
Although it isn't the most fun to eat when you're nauseous, having an empty stomach can actually make morning sickness worse, explains Baby Centre.
Make sure to eat small, frequent meals throughout the day, instead of just three primary meals.
This can help keep you from becoming nauseous as the day progresses.
Morning Sickness Remedy #7: Peppermint
Many women explain that they have "hot" symptoms when they have morning sickness.
Fox News explains that "hot" symptoms, which include feeling warm all the time and vomiting a lot, can be remedied with cooling herbs like peppermint.
Two good ways to use peppermint are rubbing peppermint oil on your abdomen or sipping peppermint tea.
Morning Sickness Remedy #8: Eat Salty Crackers
Salty crackers, which are good for nausea and upset stomachs at any time, are especially great for morning sickness symptoms.
Fox News explains that salty crackers are perfect for an early morning snack.
Eating them even before you sit up can ease nausea; once you eat them, lie in bed for 15 to 20 minutes while the crackers absorb gastric juices and boost your blood pressure.
Morning Sickness Remedy #9: Get Extra Magnesium
Many women go into pregnancy with a magnesium deficiency, explains Fox News.
Magnesium deficiencies can lead to morning sickness, so it's a good idea to add more magnesium-rich foods into your diet.
Green leafy vegetables are a great source of magnesium, so trying to stock up on them (in the moments you're feeling well enough to eat) can help.
Morning Sickness Remedy #10: Have A Protein-Rich Bedtime Snack
Baby Centre explains that although foods that are fatty, fried, acidic, rich, or spicy may trigger nausea, protein-rich foods like nuts can be a great option for women experiencing morning sickness.
Protein will help you stay full throughout the night, keeping your morning sickness from being too severe in the morning.
Morning Sickness Remedy #11: Eat Cold Meals
Cold meals are often better for women experiencing morning sickness because they don't have as much of a smell.
According to Baby Centre, cooking hot foods can give off smells that make pregnant women feel nauseated.
Morning Sickness Remedy #12: Keep A Morning Sickness Diary
By keeping track of your morning sickness in a diary, you can figure out the best times to try to eat and drink.
Make sure to record the times when you feel sick and the times when you feel better — Baby Centre explains that this can help ease morning sickness.
Morning Sickness Remedy #13: Sleep A Lot
Many people with morning sickness feel exhausted a lot of the time — don't just try to push through!
Cut yourself some slack and don't feel guilty for getting some extra z's. You're building another person, after all!
According to Baby Centre, tiredness and stress can make morning sickness worse.
Even if you can't find extra time to sleep, just try to get extra relaxation when you can.
Morning Sickness Remedy #14: Adjust Your Computer's Brightness
This may surprise you, but your computer screen can actually impact your morning sickness.
Parents explains, "You may think that surfing the web will distract you from morning sickness, but the computer's bright screen and undetectable strobe effect may make you more nauseated."
Altering your screen's brightness, making the font larger and bolder, and changing the background color of your computer to tan or pink can also help.
Parents also recommends taking breaks from your computer — walking around for a few minutes or even just closing your eyes can help.
Morning Sickness Remedy #15: Carry A Survival Kit
As horrible as throwing up in public may be, it's that much worse when you have to be reminded of it for the rest of the day.
Make the situation more bearable by packing a survival kit with some of the following Parents-suggested items: a clean shirt, a toothbrush and toothpaste, breath mints, a plastic bag (in case you need to vomit somewhere without a toilet), some tissues/baby wipes, and a plain snack to munch on.
Morning Sickness Remedy #16: Distract Yourself
One of the best ways to combat the symptoms of morning sickness is to distract yourself. If you focus on your nausea, it can make you feel much worse.
To distract yourself, Parents recommends reading a book, talking with a friend, doing a Sudoku puzzle, or going for a short walk. You may find that getting some fresh air can even provide some relaxation.
Have you ever experienced morning sickness? How did you deal with it? Let us know in the comments below.
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