Morning sickness is a common problem that every pregnant woman is bound to face through the gestation period. However, mild morning sickness is not a very serious problem and can be easily dealt with. You can manage nausea and vomiting with these simple remedies.
# Get enough vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)Consuming vitamin B6 in appropriate amounts can help resolve the symptoms of morning sickness in pregnant women.
The findings of a randomized controlled trial suggested that the combination of doxylamine and vitamin B6 may help alleviate the queasy and nauseous feeling during pregnancy.
One study found vitamin B6 to be more effective than ginger in treating pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting, while another compared its effectiveness to the commonly prescribed antiemetic drug dimenhydrinate.
How to use:- Consume foods rich in vitamin B6 such as kidney beans, lentils, seeds and nuts, sweet potato, soybeans, and lean meats.
- Start taking prenatal vitamins at least 1 month before pregnancy to decrease the risk of severe nausea. Vitamin B6 supplements have also been found to be a safe option for the mother and the fetus, but you must consult your doctor about the correct dosage before starting.
# Soothe your nausea with gingerA systematic review and meta-analysis found that using ginger helped improve the symptoms of nausea without any risks of drowsiness, heartburn, or miscarriage.
However, more studies are needed to determine the dose and preparations of ginger to be used for this purpose.
- Use ginger in your daily cooking.
- Consume ginger tea when feeling nauseous.
- Ask your doctor about starting you on a supplement if suitable.
# Calm your senses with aromatherapy
* PeppermintThe refreshing smell of peppermint has been greatly utilized in aromatherapy for relaxing the mind and body. This intervention can also help relieve morning sickness by calming your gastric muscles and gag reflex.
One study demonstrated the positive effect of peppermint aromatherapy in managing pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting, but much of this was due to psychological conditioning rather than any actual physiological impact of peppermint oil aromatherapy on symptom relief.
Another study found that peppermint inhalation had no effects on reducing nausea and vomiting in pregnant women.
* Use lemon essential oilOne study reported that 40% of the pregnant female participants successfully used lemon essential oil aromatherapy to get comfort from nausea and vomiting.
Although anecdotal evidence has encouraged several women to use lemon essential oil aromatherapy, further in-depth research is required to validate its antiemetic properties.
# Consume fennel seedsFennel seeds have been extensively used as digestive aids and antiemetic agents. Both these properties justify their use in the management of morning sickness.
How to use:- Simply chew 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds after meals to facilitate better digestion.
- Prepare fennel tea by boiling 1 cup of water and then steeping 1 teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds in it after turning off the heat. Strain the liquid after a few minutes, and add a bit of honey and lemon juice in it for better taste. Drink this soothing beverage whenever you feel queasy or nauseous.
# Drink raspberry teaRaspberry leaf tea is typically recommended in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy to relieve the symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
How to use:- Steep 1–2 teaspoons of the raspberry herb in 1 cup of boiled water for about 10 minutes, and then strain the liquid in a cup. Drink 1 cup of this therapeutic tea a day to get through a spell of morning sickness with less discomfort.
# AcupressureAcupressure involves applying gentle but firm pressure on specific points of the body with your fingers or a spatula to stimulate blood circulation and the release of chemicals that can help relieve several illnesses.
Pressing a point called P6 on the inner side of your wrist is known to reduce the symptoms of morning sickness, but there isn’t enough scientific evidence to conclusively establish this claim.