What can stop sickness in pregnancy

If you've ever had morning sickness, you know how it can dominate the early stages of your pregnancy. When it's bad, it seems impossible to get through the day; and even when it's not, it's still pretty unpleasant. But just because it's common in the first trimester doesn't mean you have to grin and bear it. "People do get relief, either by using natural remedies or traditional medications," says Marra Francis, M.D., a Texas-based OB-GYN and contributing author to the Mommy MD Guides.

We rounded up a wide range of tried-and-true morning sickness remedies, from nausea-reducing foods to natural remedies to over-the-counter medications. Just moving in a different way or getting a hands-on treatment may do the trick, too. And remember: That sick-to-your-stomach pregnancy queasiness usually subsides as you enter the second trimester, so you only have a few more weeks to go!

Here are a few things to try.

Pregnancy hormones may be doing a number on your digestive system, but you can offset morning sickness symptoms by eating small, frequent meals and eating as soon as you wake up (some people even swear by keeping snacks on their nightstand for first thing in the morning). During your next grocery store trip or order, look for these ingredients and foods.

This aromatic root is popular in Chinese medicine and has long been noted for its tummy-taming properties. You can drink it in soda or tea, eat it in candies or cookies, or suck on a ginger lozenge or lollipop. Talk to your prenatal health care provider about how much ginger is safe; it may not be advised for some pregnant people.

If your stomach already feels sour, should you really consume something else sour? Yes, says Michele Hakakha, M.D., an OB-GYN in Beverly Hills and co-author of Expecting 411. "Try sucking on sour candy, sipping lemon water, or even just sniffing something sour," she says. "I had one patient who carried around a lemon and scratched the peel and smelled it to make her feel better."

Eating or chewing items with this fresh flavor can help you feel more relaxed and less nauseated. They may also mask unpleasant food odors that trigger tummy pain. As a bonus, mint can freshen breath after a nasty round of morning sickness. Even just smelling mint can perk you up, so go ahead: Throw some mint lip balm in your pocket or try a rollerball filled with diluted peppermint essential oil.

Bland, starchy crackers can help settle a queasy stomach. According to the Cleveland Clinic, saltines work by absorbing the acid that makes your tummy feel nauseous. The salt they contain also replaces lost electrolytes. (Be sure to brush your teeth well as the carbs in saltines and other crackers can amplify tooth decay, already a risk for pregnant people and those with excess oral acid.) Toast, bananas, and applesauce can soothe queasy bellies, too.

Trail mix is an easy thing to grab when you're feeling peckish but can't stand to eat a full meal. Keep a bag on you when you head out: The combination of fruits, nuts, and semi-sweet chocolate chips will satisfy your hunger without weighing you down. Not only does trail mix provide healthy fats, but it gives you a simple way to fulfill your daily protein intake needs (pregnant people need at least 60 grams per day).

Consuming extra vitamin B6 has been shown to reduce morning sickness symptoms in some pregnant people. "Try 25 milligrams of vitamin B6 three times a day, in addition to your prenatal vitamins," says Dr. Hakakha.

If you're vomiting often, you can fall into a cycle of dehydration. Boost your usual intake of fluids and make sure you are getting at least 10 full glasses of something to drink every day (each one should be 8 oz or more).

Alternate watermelon ice cubes and freezer pops with glasses of water and ice chips if you're having trouble drinking enough H₂O. Italian ice or lemon slush can also help you stay hydrated. To keep your electrolytes balanced, you can also try sports beverages.

Try to drink fluids only between meals—ideally at least 30 minutes before or after meals—as an increase in progesterone levels during pregnancy slows the speed at which your body digests food, and you don't want to be overfull. If you must drink during meals, do it in small amounts.

Smoothies can be a lifesaver when you can't eat. You can pack them with nutrient-packed fruits and veggies. They can also neutralize stomach acids and normalize blood sugar.

If changing your diet isn't helping, maybe it's time to get physical. Try adopting one of these natural practices.

These techniques, which use gentle pressure or tiny needles to hit certain nerve centers in the body, can be extremely effective in treating nausea. Specialists in these arts abound, but at-home solutions may work, too. For example, sea bands (stretchy bracelets that apply pressure to a nerve in the wrist) have been found to significantly reduce nausea and vomiting and are sold at local drugstores.

You can even test out an easy acupressure technique on yourself. Press three fingertips gently but firmly on the base of your palm, just above where you'd take your pulse on your wrist. Breathe deeply and keep pressing on that spot for a minute or more, gradually increasing the intensity until you feel slight discomfort. The sensation should feel almost like a mini-massage.

We know, we know: You probably don't feel like working out with your tummy so queasy. Try a gentle walk instead—it can do wonders for your body. "Even walking 20 minutes a day can help release endorphins that counteract the fatigue and nausea," Dr. Hakakha says. Swimming somewhere cool might temporarily soothe your system, too; just be sure to wear sunscreen and avoid hot tubs.

Drugs are a standard line of defense against severe cases of morning sickness, but many parents-to-be worry they'll harm the baby. That's understandable, so consult your health care provider before taking anything. "I always remind my patients that we would never give them anything that isn't safe, or that doesn't have a long safety record," says Dr. Hakakha. The following drugs are commonly used for morning sickness.

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Unisom (doxylamine) treat allergies and insomnia, but they can also help with nausea, especially if your morning sickness starts the moment you wake up. Over-the-counter antacids like Tums (calcium carbonate) fight pregnancy-related acid reflux (if you have that, avoid ginger and peppermint) and reduce damage to the digestive tract from vomiting.

If you're having intense morning sickness—relentless nausea and difficulty keeping food and liquids down—your health care provider may prescribe medications such as Zofran (ondansetron). It can be dissolved on your tongue to help you stave off nausea so you can eat and get the nutrients your pregnant body needs.

No one needs to suffer from morning sickness in silence, as there are plenty of anti-nausea remedies out there. Tell your prenatal care provider right away if you can't keep food or fluids down for 24 hours, or if you're dehydrated or steadily losing weight. These symptoms could indicate a need for serious treatment.

Thanks for your feedback!

Pregnancy is an amazing ride, but the morning sickness that often accompanies it isn't so great. According to Marjorie Greenfield, M.D., an OB-GYN and author of The Working Woman's Pregnancy Book, approximately 70% of people experience nausea early in pregnancy, and about 50% experience vomiting. "It's very, very common, but it's also incredibly varied," Dr. Greenfield says. "Lots of people are sick all day, some are sick mostly in the evening, and others are sick if they haven't gotten enough sleep."

So when do you get morning sickness? According to Dr. Greenfield, pregnancy nausea can start as early as six weeks and tends to peak around the eighth and ninth weeks.

If you're tired of feeling queasy, read on to learn 15 tips for how to stop morning sickness. (And take heart: Many people find pregnancy nausea tapers off or disappears after 12 to 14 weeks!)

PeopleImages/Getty Images

Are you having one of those mornings when the thought of dragging yourself out of bed only compounds the nausea? Unfortunately, it's not always possible to take a sick day or give yourself a break, but if you can, do it. Some employers require a doctor's note for a sick day, so make sure you call your health care provider before taking off so they can provide the appropriate documentation. Your body's working overtime on growing that baby—you deserve it.

Even better, Dr. Greenfield suggests scheduling a "vacation" during your seventh or eighth week of pregnancy, when morning sickness generally starts to peak. In either case, you won't have to divulge your pregnancy news to your coworkers before you're ready, and the time off will help you recoup physically and mentally.

Patryk Kosmider/Shutterstock

Certain scents will turn your tummy, whether it's the less-than-pleasant whiff of the garbage can or the smell of your coworker's perfume in a crowded elevator. "Morning sickness is often smell-associated," says Miriam Erick, a senior dietician and nutritionist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and author of Managing Morning Sickness: A Survival Guide for Pregnant Women. "Ugly smells, smells you can't get away from, and potent smells will make you nauseous," says Erick.

While there is no research-backed evidence of a heightened sense of smell during pregnancy, there are a lot of anecdotal reports. Some hypothesize that pregnancy hormones may play a role.

Try sniffing fresh scents when you can't open a window or walk away. Carry a bottle of lemon extract or a sprig of fresh rosemary in your bag, and stealthily sneak a sniff when needed. "I call it the scent between you and the rest of the world," says Erick.

MonkeyBusinessImages/Getty

You may be all about self-sufficiency and powering through your pregnancy, but being vocal about your feelings can help alleviate morning sickness misery. For example, your partner might not know that their scented soap makes you queasy or that kissing you— post pizza dinner, without brushing their teeth first—gets your gag reflex going. So tell them, and let them know what little changes they can make to help you feel better.

• Your Pregnancy Symptoms Week by Week

Iakov Filimonov/shutterstock

Your pregnancy nausea may seem to come and go, but by tuning into your body and surroundings, you might find the queasiness isn't so random. For example, if you find yourself getting nauseated at the same time every evening, says Erick, it may be from the smells of your neighbors' cooking.

Queasy at 3 p.m.? A coworker's afternoon popcorn habit could be the culprit. Once you've identified morning sickness triggers, you can take the appropriate steps to avoid them whenever possible.

Kittichai Boonpong/EyeEm/Getty Images

It sounds like a no-brainer, but staying hydrated can feel like a monumental effort when your stomach won't keep anything down. However, it's essential to get enough liquids because the more dehydrated you become, the more nauseated you'll become, according to Dr. Greenfield.

Try different ways of tricking your body into accepting fluids. For example, Erick has found that for some people, salty snacks like potato chips and cheese curls "settle their stomachs and trigger their thirst." Others swear by popsicles, cold liquids, or piping hot beverages. "Temperature makes a difference," Erick says. "If a beverage is a tepid middle temperature, it sometimes makes people gag."

nd3000/Shutterstock

Don't feel like eating? You still need to get food in your stomach—it's just a matter of figuring out what goes down best. Heidi Murkoff, co-author of What to Expect When You're Expecting, says that every person and queasy tummy is different. "What spells relief to one may spell P-U-K-E to another."

Though there's no hard-and-fast rule about the best foods for morning sickness, many people find it easier to keep certain items down. Bland, carb-rich snacks like crackers, dry cereal, and pretzels have seen many people through morning sickness, as have ice-cold treats like watermelon and popsicles. Fatty and spicy foods may upset your stomach, but if you find that they work for you, by all means, go ahead and eat them!

"If you're concerned about getting enough nutrients, try nourishing soup, which will help both hydrate you and give you some calories," suggests Mehmet Oz, M.D. "Also, eat more cold foods—hot foods may trigger nausea as they are more likely than cold foods to have an aroma."

Golubovy/shutterstock 

Many find that grazing all day settles their stomach. "I call it the Six Meal Solution," says Murkoff. "When your tummy is empty, the stomach acids have nothing to feast on but your stomach lining, compounding nausea. On the other hand, eating too much can overtax the digestive system, also leading to quease. Keeping your tummy a little bit full all day and all night is the best defense against morning sickness."

Murkoff suggests keeping a snack stash (crackers, pretzels, dried fruit, nuts, or whatever you can keep down) nearby at all times. Nibbling a little before you get out of bed in the morning can stave off nausea, and a light bedtime snack will stabilize your blood sugar throughout the night.

Ginger has long been touted as a stomach soother, and studies have shown that it may help morning sickness. For example, a 2014 meta-analysis found that using ginger for at least four days was associated with a five-fold likelihood of improvement in early pregnancy nausea and vomiting.

Try adding a thin slice of ginger to hot water or sipping flat ginger ale. If that doesn't sound appetizing, snack on a handful of crystallized ginger candy, gingersnaps, gingerbread, or try ginger tea. Erick suggests microwaving ginger jam and pouring it over vanilla ice cream. Yum!

• The 15 Best Foods for Morning Sickness and Nausea

Shutterstock

You may think surfing the web will distract you from morning sickness, but the computer's bright screen and undetectable strobe effect may make you more nauseated. To combat this effect, Erick suggests adjusting your screen to reduce eye strain. For example, make the font size bold and larger, and change the background to a soft pink or tan. Erick also recommends taking short breaks from the computer by getting up to do something else or simply closing your eyes.

Andrew Tanglao/Unsplash

First-trimester nausea isn't easy to ignore, but finding something to take your mind off it may help. For example, read a book, do a Sudoku puzzle, or go for a short walk. Some people even claim that exercise relieves their nausea, so feel free to exercise if it feels good to you. And of course, listen to your body—if you start feeling tired or queasy, it's time to stop.

Africa Studio/Shutterstock

No matter how many times it happens, puking in public isn't something you ever get used to. So to make the sticky situation bearable, don't leave home without stocking your bag with a few morning sickness must-haves.

Dr. Greenfield suggests packing a clean shirt and a toothbrush, toothpaste, or bottle of mouthwash to help you freshen up. Breath mints are a smart move, too. It's also a good idea to carry a plastic (barf) bag for those dreaded can't-hold-it-until-I-reach-a-bathroom moments, plus a snack stash of crackers or pretzels that you can munch when your stomach starts to feel empty or upset.

Yuriy Maksymiv/Shutterstock

If you're having difficulty keeping anything down, it's time to see a doctor. According to Robert Atlas, M.D., OB-GYN, and chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, a combination of vitamin B6 and the sleep aid Unisom has been proven to alleviate morning sickness symptoms for some. If that doesn't work, a combination of stronger prescription medications, such as an acid reflux blocker and antiemetic, may also bring relief.

Of course, before taking any medication, check with a health care provider. For severe sickness (called hyperemesis gravidarum), you may want to explore prescription medications like Compazine, Meclizine, Zofran, Reglan, and Phenergan.

Once you get the go-ahead, don't worry about the meds harming your baby—the relief they provide will benefit you both. "It's important not to let morning sickness go too far in the interest of avoiding medication at all costs because the dehydration, calorie deprivation, and starvation state is really unhealthy for the baby," says Dr. Greenfield.

Shutterstock.com

Sometimes the weirdest remedies work, so pay attention to your body and follow the morning sickness relief tactics that make you feel better—no matter how strange they may seem. For example, Betsy Stephens, a mom from West Orange, New Jersey, calls bubble gum-flavored Barbie toothpaste her morning sickness "saving grace."

"The taste of actual toothpaste put me over the edge first thing in the morning," Stephens says, "but Barbie made it possible for me to brush my teeth without yakking." Monica Florville, a mom from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, says that Coca-Cola—cold or warm—was the only thing that got her through her nausea.

• How to Survive Severe Morning Sickness

Sea-Band

Remember those seasick wristbands you wore on that Caribbean cruise? Dig them out and strap them on. Acupressure wristbands apply light pressure to a spot located inside the wrist believed to be related to nausea and vomiting—whether induced by motion or morning sickness. Who knows? It might just make you feel a bit better.

Though Dr. Atlas cautions that such holistic remedies have been tested with mixed results, some do find relief in them. Jennifer Rickert, a mom from Columbus, Nebraska, says acupressure bands helped relieve some of her all-day nausea, though "they made my wrist ache...so maybe it was just taking my mind off the nausea." And on the upside, according to Dr. Atlas, acupressure and acupuncture don't pose any risk to your baby, so press and poke away.

Adam Kuylenstierna/EyeEm/Getty Images

Sometimes the best solution is the simplest. Try lying down, closing your eyes, taking a few deep breaths, and just getting some rest. Many people attest that sleep is a great way to escape morning sickness—and your body needs it!

If you already have young children, if possible, bring in a babysitter (or a family member or friend), so you can catch up on some much-needed snoozing. Having trouble catching those zzzs? Try wearing a sleep mask or putting on a pair of dark sunglasses to block out bright light.

Thanks for your feedback!