Morning sickness is often the first sign of pregnancy, as it can start as early as 2 weeks after conception. Despite the name, the sufferer can feel ill at any time of the day, although as an empty stomach is thought to be one of the triggers then mornings are a common time for it to appear.

Not every pregnant woman will experience morning sickness, although most do to some degree, and it can vary from a feeling of mild nausea or queasiness ranging up to feeling truly dreadful and unable to keep any food or liquids down. The severity of the effects seems to be greatest in women with a history of migraine or travel sickness.

It’s not known exactly what causes it, but most doctors agree that the changes in hormone levels that pregnancy triggers are the most major factor. One of the effects of these hormones is to change the way your digestive system works, which can lead to higher levels of acid.

Another possible cause is that many women experience a heightened sense of taste and smell while pregnant, which can make nausea feel worse when unpleasant or strong odours are around.

Finally, tiredness and stress play a part, and most pregnant women are tired and stressed a lot of the time!

Morning sickness can occur over the full range of your pregnancy, but most women find that it more or less disappears by around 14 weeks as hormone levels in the body stabilise.

There are dozens and dozens of traditional ‘cures’ for the feelings of nausea, with every mother having an opinion on the subject! The fact is that every woman’s body is different and so no single thing will work for everyone. However, there are some simple things to try which can help most feel better.

As previously mentioned, an empty stomach can be a cause, so snack little and often to keep hunger at bay, and keep a couple of biscuits by your bed for if you wake up during the night.

Sucking on an ice cube can help, as can fizzy drinks. Fresh ginger is reputed to calm the stomach, so making a tea from crushed root ginger or even chewing on a piece can be worth a try.

Remedies for travel sickness can also help, so it might be worth trying the magnetic wristbands you can buy, but you should never take any medication while pregnant without consulting your doctor.

Morning sickness is a natural part of pregnancy and will not harm your baby in any way, but in severe cases you may be unable to keep any food or fluids down and if this continues you could become dehydrated, which is very dangerous for your baby. If your urine starts to become very dark in colour this is a sign that your fluid levels are too low, and you should speak to your midwife or doctor.

Finally, when you’re in a bout of morning sickness, don’t worry too much about what you’re eating – getting enough energy is more important than a balanced diet at that moment, so if chocolate makes you feel better then go for it! You can always stock up on healthier foods when the sickness has abated a little.

The toughest bit of the 1st trimester of pregnancy is morning sickness and any woman who has gone through or is going through it, knows the first signs usually develop during the month following the first missed menstrual period, when hormone levels increase. It may range from mild, occasional nausea to sever, continuous, debilitating nausea with bouts of vomiting. In most cases, symptoms may be worse in morning, albeit they can strike day or night.

Despite all advances in medicine, there is no way of predicting how long your morning sickness will last even if you have suffered it before. Generally, nausea and vomiting last till about 12 – 13 weeks of pregnancy. However, some women continue to feel ill beyond their 22nd week as well.

However, some studies show that mild to moderate sickness is a sign of a good pregnancy, and less risk of miscarriage.

There is no simple treatment. The best course of action is home treatment. The following tips work wonders not only when you wake up feeling nauseous but also work when you get that queasy feeling during the day.

Changing what, when and how much you eat coupled with certain changes to the way foods cooked helps.

During morning or for that matter all day sickness, you may find that eating five or six small meals, rather than the usual three large ones, is easier on the body. Make sure each meal contains some protein and carbohydrate, like whole wheat bread with grated cheese and a slice of tomato, rice or wheat preparation with some easily digestible / light cereals, orange juice and a whole wheat biscuit. Be creative; choose low fat health foods you know will tempt your appetite. Aversions to food because of nausea are perfectly normal and understandable.

Try not to kiss meals

Eat small, dry snacks.

Don’t jump up out of bed immediately. Lie quietly for a while and ask you husband to bring you a slice of fresh lemon or orange or a dry, bland biscuit.

Avoid large drinks, have frequent small one between meals.

Spicy, fried foods, and fatty foods like very rich sweets, are best avoided.

Avoid excessive consumption of pickles or chutney, which is rich in salt.

Don’t spend much time in the kitchen and avoid the strong smell of certain foods when shopping.

Prepare food when feeling least nauseous.

Taking lemon or orange juice in the morning and before meals relieves nausea of early pregnancy.

Suck an ice cube till the nausea passes off.

Sip on cool water.

However, if you have severe, persistent nausea and vomiting, see your doctor. This not so common complication of pregnancy can lead to dehydration and malnutrition, sometimes calling for prescribed medication and in some cases even hospitalization. Although drugs are best avoided in pregnancy, especially in the early months, there are some that have been in use for many years with no apparent danger to the developing baby.

Some pregnant women out there experience little or no morning sickness at all while others can suffer from it during all hours of the day and sometimes well into their second trimester. No matter the severity you suffer from, morning sickness can be minimized or in some cases avoided entirely with the right techniques.

The Foods You Choose

When experiencing sickness that involves nausea and vomiting, monitoring what you eat or drink is going to be your main concern. The type of food you eat, the amounts you eat, and the time of day you have your meals will all affect how you feel later on.

Sticking to fresh, healthy foods as opposed to greasy, oily, spicy, or sugary snacks can be easier on your stomach. If eating anything too rich makes you queasy, stick to bland foods and fight those cravings. Eating smaller meals more frequently rather than just a few heavy meals a day will be easier for your body to digest and can prevent you from feeling suddenly ill. Try to avoid feeling too full or too hungry at any one time.

If you’re nauseous first thing in the morning, try keeping some crackers and water by your bed and eating a few before you start your day. Get up slowly and avoid rushing or jumping out of bed all of the sudden. Settling your stomach before moving around too much will go a long way in preventing a quick dash to the washroom.

Rest and Vitamins

Staying well hydrated, getting a good night sleep, and keeping your body stocked up on all the essential vitamins it needs can also prevent those unwanted queasy feelings. The healthier your body is, the better it will respond to the hormonal changes it’s going through. Try to nap or rest when you can and avoid over-exerting yourself if possible. Taking it easy on your changing body will encourage it to go easy on you in return.

Prescription Medication

If your morning sickness is exceptionally severe, prescription medications are available. Natural remedies just may not work for some women, so be sure to see your family doctor if your nausea become unmanageable. If you’re currently on any other medication it’s important to let your doctor know as some morning sickness medications may not mix well with other prescription you could be taking.

The first trimester is usually when morning sickness is at its worst and it should diminish as your pregnancy progresses. It can last longer for some women, but as your hormone levels start to even out, the worst of your nausea should be over. Get plenty of fresh air and try to stay relaxed and stress free and in most cases, morning sickness can be at least somewhat relieved with a few simple lifestyle changes.