Feeling nauseous? You’re not alone! Morning sickness affects up to 80% of pregnant women, and despite its name, it can strike anytime—morning, noon, or night.
For some moms-to-be, nausea is just a mild annoyance, while for others, it can be severe and exhausting. The good news? There are proven ways to ease your symptoms!
In this guide, we’ll explore:
✅ What causes morning sickness
✅ 5 natural remedies that actually work
✅ When to call your doctor
Let’s help you feel better so you can enjoy your pregnancy!
1️⃣ What Causes Morning Sickness?
Morning sickness is mainly caused by:
🔹 Rising hCG levels – The pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) spikes in early pregnancy, triggering nausea.
🔹 Increased progesterone – This hormone relaxes muscles, slowing digestion and making you feel bloated and nauseous.
🔹 Heightened sense of smell – Strong scents can suddenly become unbearable, triggering nausea.
🔹 Low blood sugar – Going too long without eating can make morning sickness worse.
Most nausea starts around week 5 or 6 and peaks between weeks 9-12 before improving in the second trimester.
2️⃣ Morning Sickness Survival: 5 Must-Try Remedies
🍋 1. Eat Small, Frequent Meals
One of the worst triggers for nausea? An empty stomach. Instead of three big meals, try eating every 2-3 hours to keep your blood sugar stable.
✅ Best foods for nausea relief:
✔️ Crackers, toast, or plain rice (bland foods are easier to digest)
✔️ Bananas, apples, or yogurt (gentle on the stomach)
✔️ Protein-rich snacks like nuts, eggs, or cheese (keeps nausea away longer)
❌ Avoid: Greasy, spicy, or fried foods—they can worsen nausea!
📌 Pro Tip: Keep crackers by your bed and eat a few before getting up in the morning.
🫖 2. Sip Ginger or Lemon Tea
Ginger is a natural nausea fighter and is even used for motion sickness!
✅ Try these ginger remedies:
✔️ Ginger tea (sip slowly in the morning)
✔️ Ginger candies or chews (great for on-the-go relief)
✔️ Ginger ale (choose one with real ginger, not just flavoring!)
🍋 Lemon works too! Some moms find that just sniffing a lemon or adding lemon slices to water helps.
📌 Pro Tip: Suck on a lemon candy or sniff a fresh-cut lemon when feeling nauseous.
💧 3. Stay Hydrated (But Sip Slowly!)
Dehydration can make nausea worse, but drinking too much at once can also trigger it.
✅ Best ways to stay hydrated:
✔️ Sip water throughout the day instead of chugging it.
✔️ Try flavored water (add lemon, mint, or cucumber).
✔️ Coconut water helps replenish lost electrolytes.
✔️ Ice chips or popsicles can be easier on the stomach than plain water.
❌ Avoid: Sugary sodas or artificial juices—they can make nausea worse!
📌 Pro Tip: Use a hydration tracker app to make sure you’re drinking enough.
😴 4. Get Plenty of Rest
Fatigue makes morning sickness so much worse. When you’re exhausted, your body has a harder time regulating nausea.
✅ Tips for better sleep & rest:
✔️ Go to bed earlier than usual to get extra sleep.
✔️ Take short naps (20-30 minutes) during the day.
✔️ Sleep with your head slightly elevated to reduce reflux.
✔️ Try pregnancy-safe acupressure bands (they help with motion sickness too!).
📌 Pro Tip: If nausea keeps waking you up, try eating a protein-rich snack before bed to stabilize your blood sugar.
🌿 5. Try Vitamin B6 (With Doctor Approval)
Studies show that Vitamin B6 can significantly reduce nausea in pregnant women. Many doctors recommend taking 10-25 mg of B6 up to 3 times a day.
✅ Natural sources of Vitamin B6:
✔️ Bananas
✔️ Avocados
✔️ Nuts & seeds
✔️ Whole grains
📌 Pro Tip: Some prenatal vitamins already include B6, so check the label before taking extra!
3️⃣ When to See a Doctor About Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is annoying, but in some cases, it can be severe and dangerous.
🚨 Call your doctor if you:
❌ Vomit more than 3-4 times a day
❌ Can’t keep food or water down for 24 hours
❌ Lose more than 5% of your body weight
❌ Feel dizzy, weak, or dehydrated
These could be signs of hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness that may require IV fluids or medication.
📌 Pro Tip: If nausea is interfering with your daily life, talk to your doctor about safe pregnancy medications for relief.
4️⃣ FAQs About Morning Sickness
📍 When Does Morning Sickness Start & End?
🔹 Most women start feeling nauseous around week 5 or 6.
🔹 It peaks around week 9-12.
🔹 For most women, it improves by week 14-16.
📍 Will Morning Sickness Harm My Baby?
In most cases, mild nausea won’t affect your baby. But if you’re losing weight or struggling to eat, talk to your doctor about ways to stay nourished.
📍 Can I Prevent Morning Sickness?
You can’t always prevent it, but you can reduce it by:
✅ Eating small, frequent meals
✅ Staying hydrated
✅ Avoiding strong smells & greasy foods
✅ Taking Vitamin B6 & prenatal vitamins
Conclusion
Morning sickness is tough, but these 5 must-try remedies can make a huge difference!
💡 Recap of Morning Sickness Survival Tips:
✔️ Eat small, frequent meals 🍞
✔️ Sip ginger or lemon tea 🍋
✔️ Stay hydrated with ice chips & flavored water 💧
✔️ Get plenty of rest & try acupressure bands 😴
✔️ Try Vitamin B6 (with doctor approval!) 🌿
🚨 If your nausea becomes severe, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor. You don’t have to suffer alone—there are solutions that can help!
