How to ease the symptoms of morning sickness

It’s not fully understood what causes morning sickness. It’s thought that the pregnancy hormone HCG is probably one of the causes. Whether women suffer and, if so, when – not necessarily always in the morning – and how long the nausea lasts varies. A distinction is made between normal nausea and severe nausea over a longer period of time. Women who suffer severe nausea usually have to vomit several times a day for several weeks. The good news is that in most cases the sickness disappears after the first four months. And there are a few home remedies that can alleviate the symptoms:

• Eat five to six smaller meals throughout the day. Don’t force yourself to eat anything you don’t want. Eat only foods that taste good. However, you should try to avoid greasy, very spicy, acidic or fried food.
• Eating a snack before getting up can help prevent morning sickness: Have nibbles like rusks, dry biscuits, crackers ready on your bedside table and eat a little bit right after you wake up. Then it’s best to stay in bed for another 20 to 30 minutes.
• Drink plenty of water or unsweetened tea throughout the day.
• Ginger can help calm your stomach. Ginger tea or ginger tablets are a tried and tested remedy against nausea. 
• Studies have proven that vitamin B6 helps ease morning sickness. Talk to your doctor to see whether you should take it. 
• Acupressure bands, which are worn on the wrist, also work against all kinds of nausea.
• Alternative therapies such as aromatherapy with essential oils, homeopathy or traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can also help. Talk to a qualified therapist with experience in treating pregnant women.
• Stress and tiredness can exacerbate morning sickness, so take time to relax. 
• If you suffer from severe morning sickness that seriously affects your everyday life, you should contact your gynaecologist for advice. You may need medication to ensure that your body doesn’t dehydrate and suffer from nutrient deficiency due to the frequent vomiting.