- For centuries, pregnant women have used ginger as a remedy for morning sickness. Scientific studies seem to support the use of this herb for the nausea associated with this condition. For example, studies by the University of Michigan Medical Center found that ginger relieved the symptoms of morning sickness among participants in the study.
- The sense of smell is more pronounced during pregnancy, and a number of odors trigger nausea and vomiting in some women. To neutralize odors that make you nauseous, place a few drops of lemon essential oil on a handkerchief, and hold this over your nose when you are within range of the odor. Spicy food, for example, often engenders feelings of nausea. You can also minimize the odor of cooking foods by ventilating your kitchen as much as possible by opening windows and turning on your exhaust fans.
- Drink water and fruit juice during the day to prevent dehydration, which commonly increases the frequency and severity of morning sickness symptoms. Take care to drink the fluids about 30 minutes before or after you eat meals rather than at the same time. Avoid coffees, teas and colas that contain caffeine.
- Limit yourself to eating bland foods rather than rich, spicy or fried, fatty foods to prevent morning sickness. Eating and smelling these foods tends to trigger nausea. Grease and spices also tend to cause heartburn. Adding starches such as potatoes and pasta to your diet also helps prevent the nausea and vomiting associated with morning sickness.
- Snack on salty, crunchy foods such as regular potato chips between meals throughout the day. Eat about a handful of the chips at the first sign of nausea to help it dissipate. Potato chips have been found to help settle the stomach. Snacking on bananas also helps to maintain blood sugar levels, helping to avoid morning sickness.
- Eat smaller meals spread them out during the day rather than eating two or three large meals, because a full stomach is more prone to nausea. Also avoid drinking fluids at the same time that you eat your meals. Instead, drink your water, juice or other fluids about 20 to 30 minutes before or after you eat.
