Home Remedy for Nausea During Pregnancy

While some expectant mothers endure severe morning sickness accompanied by vomiting, most women with symptoms of morning sickness experience sour stomach and lack of interest in food. Of course, doctors recommend getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated, but what is a mom to do when the thought of eating turns her off? There are a handful of home remedies that can help curb upset stomach caused by morning sickness and hopefully lead to increased appetite.

Ginger

Ginger is one of the most popular natural remedies for pregnancy-related nausea. Nibbling on ginger snap cookies and sipping ginger ale is one way to get a dose of ginger. Be sure to read the ingredients carefully, though. Steer clear of artificial ginger flavor--only real ginger will settle an upset stomach. Making ginger tea is healthy and helpful, too. Peel and slice ginger root and boil it for about 10 minutes, longer if you like it spicy. Add brown sugar and lemon juice and drink hot or iced.

Mint and Peppermint

Peppermint also settles upset stomachs when either consumed or inhaled. Overly potent peppermint candies can be too much for sensitive stomachs, so try drinking mint tea instead. The scent of peppermint can ease morning sickness, as well. Peppermint oil can be used to fragrance the air when heated in a diffuser or it can be massaged into the wrists or behind the ears for continuous aromatherapy.

Lemon

The scent of fresh lemon is a miracle cure for many women. Keeping lemon wedges nearby is a quick way to ease sudden symptoms of morning sickness. Sipping hot water infused with fresh lemon is also frequently used to restore upset stomachs.

Vitamin B6

A study conducted by the University of Iowa College of Medicine concluded that taking a vitamin B6 supplement improves nausea in women with morning sickness. While regular prenatal vitamins can irritate upset stomachs, vitamin B6 keeps nausea at bay for many women.

Baking Soda

If you can tolerate the salty flavor, try mixing 2 tbsp. of baking soda with 1 cup of water. Like soda crackers, this beverage soothes upset stomachs by neutralizing stomach acid.

Stay Full

Don't let your stomach become completely empty. Because proteins take longer to digest than grains, try to eat a serving of lean meat or beans before going to bed. That way, your stomach will stay full during the night and may help you feel better in the morning.

Resources

• American Pregnancy Association