Morning sickness cures are treatment methods aimed at reducing the nausea and vomiting many women experience during pregnancy. Some treatment methods are simple home remedies or actions women can take to alleviate their symptoms. More severe cases of morning sickness require medical treatment with prescription-strength drugs. Women who experience nausea and vomiting during pregnancy should check with their health care providers before taking any medication or trying any morning sickness cures.
Mild morning sickness can often be alleviated with home remedies and lifestyle changes. Eating healthy snacks throughout the day and drinking plenty of fluids helps prevent overeating, which can lead to nausea. Fatty, spicy, and salty foods increase the risk of vomiting, while foods rich in protein and complex carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can help relieve morning sickness symptoms.
Moving slowly when getting out of bed and avoiding lying down right after eating can help pregnant women avoid stomach symptoms. Smells often contribute to nausea, so taking a short walk or opening a window to get fresh air helps some pregnant women combat the condition. Waiting half an hour to an hour before brushing her teeth after eating helps some women avoid morning sickness, since the stimulation of the toothbrush over their tongues can lead to nausea.
Ginger helps settle the stomach and minimizes vomiting. Pregnant women can sip ginger tea or soda throughout the day to combat their symptoms. Eating small pieces of ginger candy or cookies after meals helps calm the stomach and alleviates nausea in many women.
Taking prenatal vitamins at night instead of in the morning can help reduce vomiting and nausea present upon first waking up. Vitamin B6 is particularly effective at relieving nausea. Nuts, peas, beans, seeds, and whole grains are good, natural sources of B6, though some women require a B6 supplement to control their morning sickness. Pregnant women should talk to their health care providers before taking B6 for morning sickness.
Anti-nausea medications are effective morning sickness cures for many women who do not experience symptom relief from home remedies and lifestyle changes. Doctors often prescribe benzamines and antihistamine receptor blockers to help pregnant women control pregnancy-related stomach symptoms. In severe cases, doctors may recommend a short course of a steroid called methylprednisolone.
Alternative morning sickness cures include acupressure and acupuncture. Acupressure wrist bands can help relieve nausea in some women during early pregnancy. Acupuncture is performed by trained specialists and involves placing thin needles in the skin in various places to reduce symptoms. Women should not seek acupuncture treatments unless directed to do so by their doctors.