Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful situations a woman can experience. The connection between a woman and her baby is one of the most unique relationships in the world; however, the beginning of this journey definitely has its downfalls. One of the worst side effects of pregnancy, besides the raging hormones, is the morning sickness. Morning sickness, also called nausea, vomiting of pregnancy (emesis gravidarum or NVP) or pregnancy sickness affects between 50% and 95% of all pregnant women as well as some women who use hormonal contraception or hormone replacement therapy. The nausea can be mild or induce vomiting.

In extreme cases, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, hospitalization may be required to treat the resulting dehydration. Nausea and vomiting can be one of the first signs of pregnancy and usually begins around the 6th week of pregnancy. It can occur at any time of the day, and for most women it seems to stop around the 12th week of pregnancy. Morning sickness can be very mild to extremely severe depending on the mother. Morning sickness can last for the duration of a pregnancy, or it can only last for the first couple of months. The most important thing is to inform your health care provider when morning sickness symptoms appear and discuss possible options for treatment.

Self Care Treatment

There are many self care methods of alleviating the symptoms and minimizing the effects of morning sickness. Just follow the tips below and get rid of your morning sickness as soon as possible!

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  Eat four to six small meals per day, instead of three heavy meals. An empty stomach and low blood sugar, resulting from long stretches between meals, can trigger nausea, as can eating too much at one meal.

• Eat crackers or dry toast 20 to 30 minutes before getting up in the morning, while slightly propped up in bed. Bland foods such as crackers or pretzels may help at any time of day when you feel nauseated.

• Minimize the intake of fluids with meals. Instead, drink small amounts of fluids frequently between meals.

• Eat a diet high in protein and complex carbohydrates, both of which fight nausea.

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially if you are losing them through vomiting. If they are easier to get down than solids when your stomach is upset, use them to get your nutrients.

• Herbal teas, fruit juices and popsicles are helpful in combating the nauseated feeling.

• Take a prenatal vitamin supplement to compensate for nutrients missed through not eating.

• Avoid the sight, smell and taste of foods that make you queasy.

• Eat before nausea strikes. Food will be easier to get down and may prevent an attack.

• Eat in bed to avoid an empty stomach and to keep blood sugar on an even keel.

• Before you go to bed at night, have a snack that is high in protein and complex carbohydrates.

• Get extra sleep and relaxation. Both emotional and physical fatigue can exacerbate morning sickness.

• Greet the morning in slow motion; rushing tends to aggravate nausea.

• Brush teeth with a toothpaste that does not increase the queasiness and rinse the mouth with a good rinser after each bout of vomiting, as well as after each meal. Not only will this keep the mouth fresh and reduce nausea, it will also decrease the risk of damage to teeth and gums that can occur when bacteria starts working on the regurgitated material in the mouth.

• Minimize stress. Morning sickness is more common among women who are under a great deal of stress, either at work or home.

Medical Treatment

There is no currently approved medication available for morning sickness, but the doctor may suggest trying these medication-based treatments if the methods mentioned so far are not helping. Please talk to your doctor before taking any medication.

• Antacids that are low in sodium and available over-the-counter.

• Vitamin B6 (either pyridoxine or pyridoxamine), often taken in combination with the antihistamine doxylamine (Diclectin).

• Sugar solution that is available over-the-counter.

• Acupressure wristbands (used for seasickness).

• Antihistamine (prescribed by a doctor) only if the following concerns are evident; persistent vomiting, insufficient weight gain and signs of dehydration.

• A doctor may prescribe anti-nausea medications if the expectant mother suffers from dehydration or malnutrition as a result of her morning sickness, a condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum. In the US, Zofran (ondansetron) is the usual drug of choice, though the high cost is prohibitive for some women.

• While there are many different remedies and medicines that a woman can take to help her morning sickness, one of the most effective ways is also one of the most unconventional. Acupuncture has been used to treat morning sickness within pregnant woman for many years, and it is a common practice among TCM, or Traditional Chinese Medicine.

You need to find a certified acupuncturist that can treat your specific condition. If you are unaware of where to find this professional, you can ask your doctor for a recommendation, or even visit a holistic store and ask the clerk for any information about an acupuncturist that specializes with this type of treatment. And if all else fails, than you can visit the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture's website for a directory.

Symptoms of Morning Sickness

Pregnancy morning sickness occurs in 50% to 80% of new moms-to-be. It's unfortunate that for many, the morning sickness will strike all through the day and not just in the morning. Most cases of morning sickness occur between the 4th and 6th week of pregnancy and last until the 14th to 16th week.

Each woman is different where morning sickness is concerned. The 50% to 80% who do experience morning sickness will have bouts of nausea and vomiting, to varying degrees, usually occurring with in the first three months of pregnancy.

The morning sickness is accompanied by other signs of pregnancy like backaches, constipation, darkening of areola (nipple), excessive salivation, exhaustion or feeling sleepy, food cravings, frequent urination, headaches, increased sense of smell, lower abdominal cramps and/or tender or swollen breasts.

Prevention of Morning Sickness

Pregnancy and expecting a baby is one of the most remarkable experience a woman may pass through. But with the many changes going on, you may find yourself facing some problems. Morning sickness can become one of the worst things that you'll have to deal with as a pregnant woman and sometimes it will even last all day long. As such here are some tips that can help you overcome this problem:

• Your breakfast is a very important meal, make sure you never miss it as an empty stomach will make you even more uncomfortable.

• When waking up, have a piece of bread before getting up from bed.

• Good nutrition may help. For example, adding rice or pureed potato to meals or having toasted bread as a snack is a good supply of energy. Also, don't forget to ask your doctor for the right vitamin supplements that are crucial for you and your baby's development.

• Drink lots of fluids as you may be losing them while vomiting. Drink milkshakes and fresh juices, but also try to reduce your use of coffee and tea.

• Avoid or at least reduce the use of spices and fats. Fried food will only make things more difficult.

• Nice scents such as vanilla or lime may help by smelling it or adding a squeeze of lemon to your soda or salad.

• Some sights or smells of cooking and smoking will make you feel bad, so avoid them and be sure your home has access to fresh air.

• Relax; being mad or under stress may make you uncomfortable. Just lay back from time to time, close your eyes, breathe slowly and imagine your baby between your arms. Or take a small walk in a nearby park.

• Whenever you get into a car the sickness will increase, so a lollipop or candy may make you feel much better.

In any case, now that you know most everything there is to know about morning sickness, your health during pregnancy will be safe once again. Just remember to make use of these tips and information, because being prepared is a way of handling morning sickness as well.