How to Manage Morning Sickness at Work

Pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman’s life, but it can also bring morning sickness, a condition which can make it nearly impossible to continue working. The cure for morning sickness—-which can actually strike at any time of the day or night—-is time, but there are ways to manage symptoms so you can still be productive at work.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bland crackers
• Bottled water
• Sour candy
• Peppermints
• Carbonated clear soda
• Ginger
• B6
• Acupressure accessories
• Prescription medications

1. Talk to your boss. Once morning sickness has set in, many women can predict what time of day it will be at its best and worst. It’s possible that if you approach your boss in a professional manner, she will allow you to alter your normal work hours so that you can take advantage of your “best” times.

2. Talk to your colleagues. Without going into detail, let them know you’re suffering from morning sickness but that you will do your best to continue fulfilling your professional responsibilities.

3. Try it all. Stock up on all of the home remedies because you never know what will work. At your desk, keep bland crackers, bottled water, sour candies, peppermints, and carbonated clear soda. When nausea strikes, pick one. If it works, great. If not, try another.

4. Look into different forms of ginger. It’s a morning sickness cliché for a reason. In addition to ginger ale, you can try ginger tea, capsules, and even the root itself.

5. Talk to your doctor. He may suggest some remedies typically used for motion sickness, such as acupressure bands that you wear on your wrist or discs that you place behind your ear.

6. Consider a prescription. If the less invasive remedies don’t work, consult your doctor about taking doses of B6 or even a prescription. There are many options available today that weren’t a generation ago, such as Zofran, Tigan, and Compazine, that may lessen or completely eliminate your morning sickness.

Tips & Warnings

• For women who experience the worst symptoms in the morning, giving in to the nauseous feeling may be the best thing you can do. It sounds unpleasant, but some women empty their stomachs during their morning shower (using the water to wash away the results) and actually feel better for a period of time.
• Other women at work—-and even men—-may tell you horror stories about morning sickness or suggest a sure-fire cure. Politely excuse yourself from the horror stories, but give consideration to the advice (as long as it’s not dangerous). You never know when something unusual may work for you.
• Always discuss your symptoms and what solutions you wish to try with your doctor. Even remedies that seem harmless could have implications for your pregnancy.