THE BABBLE TAKE
Morning sickness is the nausea and vomiting that afflicts two thirds of all women in early pregnancy. Unfortunately it doesn't limit itself to the morning, so pregnancy sickness would be a more appropriate name. Experts say the sickness tends to be harmless and usually ceases after the first trimester. No one cause for morning sickness has been pinpointed; one likely culprit is the rapid rise in hormonal levels in the early months of pregnancy. Another theory is that the body is protecting the mother from eating foods that may damage her fetus. There's no cure-all, though many midwives and doctors recommend a few simple ways to ease the effects: limited exposure to smells that trigger morning sickness, eating small snacks, and limiting your fluid intake to between meals. If you can't retain anything, not even fluids, over a twenty-four-hour period, experts say you should talk to your doctor. Some say morning sickness is a positive sign that means the placenta is developing properly. However experts say it is also perfectly normal not to experience morning sickness. If that's the case for you, don't sweat it and enjoy the fact that you're not constantly nauseous.
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BabyCenter ®
"If you have a mild case of nausea and vomiting, some relatively simple measures may be enough to help. (If not, there are safe and effective medications you can take.) Not all of the following suggestions are supported by hard evidence, but obstetricians and midwives commonly recommend them, and many women swear by them. Try to avoid foods and smells that trigger your nausea. Eat small, frequent meals and snacks throughout the day so that your stomach is never empty."
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Family Doctor
"Eat more carbohydrates (plain baked potato, white rice, dry toast). Try gelatin desserts (Jell-O), flavored frozen desserts (popsicles), chicken broths, ginger ale (nondiet), sugared decaffeinated or herbal teas, and pretzels. The iron in prenatal vitamins can bother some women. If you think your morning sickness is related to your vitamins, talk with your doctor and he or she may change your vitamins."
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American Pregnancy Association
"Helpful Do's and Don'ts: Drink fluids 1/2 hour before or after a meal, but not with meals. Eat whatever you feel like eating, whenever you feel you can. Ask someone else to cook for you and open the windows or turn on fans if the odor bothers you. Eat salty potato chips (they have been found to settle stomachs enough to eat a meal). Exercise."
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Medline Plus
"Try to maintain a positive attitude. Remember that morning sickness usually stops after the first three or four months of pregnancy. To minimize nausea, try: A few soda crackers or dry toast when you first wake up, even before you get out of bed in the morning. Eating foods high in protein and complex carbohydrates, such as peanut butter on apple slices or celery; nuts; cheese; crackers; milk; cottage cheese; and yogurt; avoid foods high in fat and salt, but low in nutrition."
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BBC Pregnancy
"Help yourself feel better. Small, frequent snacks can help alleviate your symptoms. Avoid large meals, especially those high in fat, as they'll put a greater strain on your digestive system. Don't let your stomach remain empty for more than a couple of hours. Have a dry crispbread, cracker or piece of plain toast to keep your system 'ticking over'. Fruit or savoury foods seem to be better at preventing nausea than sweeter snacks. Go with any cravings you have (within reason)."
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