Coping with Morning Sickness

Coping with Morning Sickness

In your first trimester you are awash with so many different feelings - excitement, nervousness, worry, anticipation - and then an overwhelming desire to be sick. I don't know why is it called morning sickness, as during my first pregnancy I was sick ALL day, regardless of what time it was. I found the feeling of nausea made me feel utterly miserable, and although I was so happy and excited to be pregnant, I hadn't anticipated feeling quite so unwell. My sickness didn't stop until 16 weeks, so here are a few ways I tried to cope with it:

Eat little and often - You may feel worse after eating a big, heavy meal, so why not try eating smaller portions a few more times a day. This might help keep the sickness at bay.

Find foods that work for you - You might start to see a pattern in your sickness, that certain foods don't agree with you and others you will feel OK. Stick to your safe options - for me that was bananas and sparkling water! It's fine to have strange requests at dinner time when you are pregnant.

Drink plenty of water - Make sure you are keeping hydrated, especially if you are being sick. Always have a bottle of water on the go and keep sipping it, even when you don't really feel like it.

Rest - If you are really struggling, cancel all your plans and rest. Sometimes a busy lifestyle can exacerbate your feelings of sickness. Communicate to your partner how you are feeling so that they can try to understand and give you the support you need. You are likely to also be feeling really tired in your first trimester, so listen to your body and rest!

Talk to your Midwife - If your pregnancy sickness is affecting everything you do, you should talk to your midwife or GP. They will be able to check you for conditions such as Hyperemesis Gravidarum and either rule it out or make sure you are getting the treatment you need. Don't suffer in silence!

Pregnancy sickness really isn't much fun, but rest assured that for most women it will have gone once you reach your second trimester. Just do what you need to get by and remember it is all for a wonderful reason. Other things to try are sickness bands, ginger or chewing gum. It might also be worth having a little kit on you to help you when you are feeling your worst - containing a toothbrush, bottle of water and a light snack such as crackers. Your GP may also offer you medication if that is an option you would like to consider. I am currently pregnant with my second child and did not experience the same level of sickness this time around - so it is also worth remembering that every pregnancy is different. Hopefully these tips will help you out, and remember to look after yourself.

Sarah writes at www.forgetmeknit.co.uk and is on Twitter as @ForgetMeKnit 

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