10 morning sickness remedies

Eat little and often

Forget three main meals a day, little and often is the way to go.  Morning sickness can feel worse if you’re too full or too hungry, so eat smaller snacks every couple of hours, even if you don’t feel like it. 

That way, you’ll have something in your stomach at all times, and keep your blood sugar levels stable.  Carry a bag of snacks to eat throughout the day – bananas or dried fruit are particularly good.

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Eat what you like

One theory about morning sickness is that it’s caused by a biological instinct to protect your baby from contaminated foods.  If you’re actually throwing up, this isn’t a time to worry too much about a balanced diet.  It’s more important that you keep something down, so allow yourself some cravings. 

Having said that, it’s a good idea to stick to foods with a high protein or carbohydrate content, and avoid anything too fatty or spicy.

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Stay hydrated

Morning sickness can be debilitating, but it won’t affect your baby’s health as long as you are able to eat and drink enough. 

Drink plenty of fluids and speak to your doctor if you think you’re dehydrated or are losing weight, as in severe cases, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, further treatment may be necessary. 

If you’re struggling to keep even liquids down, try sucking ice cubes or sipping slowly through a straw instead.

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Ginger

Ginger has long been valued in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for its anti-emetic properties, and is reportedly used by NASA astronauts to help combat motion sickness. 

It is routinely recommended by doctors and midwives for morning sickness, however it doesn’t work for everyone, and some women say it actually makes them feel worse. 

It can be used in any form - fresh, powdered, even ginger beer.  Try steeping grated root ginger in hot water to drink two or three times a day.

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Relax

Tiredness and stress can both make morning sickness worse.  Try to relax, take as much rest as possible and if you’re not sleeping well at night have an afternoon nap (but not straight after eating). 

That can be easier said than done if you’ve already got children, so call on friends and relatives if you need a break. 

Don’t feel guilty about asking for help, and try not to worry about the dishes piling up - the housework can wait.

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Aromatherapy

Strong smells can often trigger morning sickness, and cooking smells can be particularly offensive, even from foods you’d normally make a beeline for. 

Try keeping the windows open, eating cold foods, or cooking in the microwave, all of which will reduce odours.  

Aromatherapy can help – sprinkle a hanky with a few drops of citrus or peppermint oils, or sniff a bag of lavender or dried herbs.

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Vitamins

Studies have shown that taking vitamin B6 can help some women relieve nausea in pregnancy, although it’s not known exactly how it works. 

Also known as pyridoxine, it can help the body absorb protein and carbohydrate, but can cause nerve problems in large doses so always check with your doctor before taking supplements.  Natural sources of B6 include bananas, nuts, fish, avocados, wholegrains and dried beans. 

B12 is also believed to help, and can be found in eggs and dairy products.

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Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an increasingly popular treatment for morning sickness.  Private treatment can be expensive, but acupuncture is now available on the NHS in some areas. 

Ask your GP for a referral, but make sure you find a qualified practitioner with experience in treating pregnant women. 

Alternatively, try acupressure wrist bands - also used for travel sickness - which are widely available from chemists and some supermarkets.

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• 23 embarrassing pregnancy pictures
   
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Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy works by creating a state of deep relaxation in which you are more open to positive suggestion. 

For pregnant women it’s believed it can aid digestion and restful sleep, increase your appetite and help you deal better with the sight and smell of food. 

Find a qualified practitioner, or alternatively try one of the many self-hypnosis CDs available for morning sickness.

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• 23 embarrassing pregnancy pictures
   
• Sign up for regular FREE pregnancy & baby newsletters