There is no shortage of advice out there for expectant mothers-in fact, the volume can be bewildering.
However, most of the morning sickness information can be boiled down to some pretty universal do's and don'ts: Do inform yourself-Talk to your doctor, your friends, and family and seek out books and online sources that can give you a sense of the range of what is "normal" for women experiencing morning sickness.
Because there is in fact a huge range and symptoms and experience vary widely.
Some women experience only occasional nausea, while others vomit as well, sometimes a lot.
It's not just "morning" sickness, it can occur at any time.
If it goes on beyond the first trimester, that's unfortunate but not uncommon and not necessarily a sign of trouble.
Talk to your mother, sister, and grandmother about their own pregnancy experiences-certain tendencies and sensitivities seem to run in families, and they may have discovered some remedies that you wouldn't think of.
Don't worry, panic or get discouraged-For most people this phase of pregnancy will pass within a few weeks, and even if you are one of the less lucky ones who continues to have symptoms longer, it does not mean that there is anything wrong with you, your pregnancy or your baby.
Do keep track of yourself and your condition-what you are eating and doing? how often and at what times of day are you getting sick? Do you see any links between particular foods or activity and feeling ill? This information may help you modify your activities and diet to avoid some of your triggers, and will also help your doctor know how best to help and advise you.
Do eat smaller meals, spaced throughout the day.
A sensitive stomach can handle less food at a time, and this will only get worse as the fetus starts to grow and press against the stomach.
The hormones now increasing in your body also have effects on your digestive system, slowing down the processes so it gets easier to overload your system and trigger that queasy feeling.
Do drink lots of liquids in small quantities steadily throughout the day.
Dehydration is the number one side effect of frequent vomiting and is the cause behind most of the severe symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum-extreme nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.
Do respect what your body is telling you.
When your senses or your stomach tell you to reject certain foods and other stimuli, it's possible that these are protective reflexes for both you and your baby.
During pregnancy, your immune system has to let down its defenses a bit and the baby's own immunity has not developed sufficiently, so you both need a little extra protection from potentially harmful substances.
Your body may be overreacting a little, but better safe than sorry.
Don't eat too many spicy or fatty foods.
These are always a bit challenging for even a normal digestive system, and they can place extra strain on your already sensitive equilibrium during pregnancy.
Do eat bland starchy foods.
These are easy on the digestive system and can help neutralize the excess stomach acids that are part of the nausea reaction.
Many of the "tried and true" remedies fall in this category-saltines at the bedside to nibble on, bananas (good for restoring electrolytes), rice, applesauce and toast (the BRAT diet).
Do test out some of the tried-and-true home remedies and even some of that are less familiar.
Try drinking herbal teas, possibly with ginger-ginger is a long-known digestive aid frequently recommended for nausea.
Some expectant mothers find vitamin supplements helpful, particularly vitamin B6-in fact your doctor may have already prescribed a prenatal multivitamin.
You know those acupressure and acustimulation bracelets you may have seen advertised for treating seasickness or motion sickness? They have also proved helpful for many people with nausea from chemotherapy and pregnancy.
Do give yourself a break-in fact lots of breaks.
Get rest when you can and accept that you may not be able to manage everything you used to do.
Nausea and vomiting not only lead to greater fatigue, but being exhausted lowers your resistance to the next round.
So don't fight that tired feeling-take a nap whenever you can.
Finally, don't hesitate to call your doctor if nothing seems to help alleviate your symptoms, and particularly if you are experiencing any of the signs of severe pregnancy nausea (hyperemesis gravidarum).
However, most of the morning sickness information can be boiled down to some pretty universal do's and don'ts: Do inform yourself-Talk to your doctor, your friends, and family and seek out books and online sources that can give you a sense of the range of what is "normal" for women experiencing morning sickness.
Because there is in fact a huge range and symptoms and experience vary widely.
Some women experience only occasional nausea, while others vomit as well, sometimes a lot.
It's not just "morning" sickness, it can occur at any time.
If it goes on beyond the first trimester, that's unfortunate but not uncommon and not necessarily a sign of trouble.
Talk to your mother, sister, and grandmother about their own pregnancy experiences-certain tendencies and sensitivities seem to run in families, and they may have discovered some remedies that you wouldn't think of.
Don't worry, panic or get discouraged-For most people this phase of pregnancy will pass within a few weeks, and even if you are one of the less lucky ones who continues to have symptoms longer, it does not mean that there is anything wrong with you, your pregnancy or your baby.
Do keep track of yourself and your condition-what you are eating and doing? how often and at what times of day are you getting sick? Do you see any links between particular foods or activity and feeling ill? This information may help you modify your activities and diet to avoid some of your triggers, and will also help your doctor know how best to help and advise you.
Do eat smaller meals, spaced throughout the day.
A sensitive stomach can handle less food at a time, and this will only get worse as the fetus starts to grow and press against the stomach.
The hormones now increasing in your body also have effects on your digestive system, slowing down the processes so it gets easier to overload your system and trigger that queasy feeling.
Do drink lots of liquids in small quantities steadily throughout the day.
Dehydration is the number one side effect of frequent vomiting and is the cause behind most of the severe symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum-extreme nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.
Do respect what your body is telling you.
When your senses or your stomach tell you to reject certain foods and other stimuli, it's possible that these are protective reflexes for both you and your baby.
During pregnancy, your immune system has to let down its defenses a bit and the baby's own immunity has not developed sufficiently, so you both need a little extra protection from potentially harmful substances.
Your body may be overreacting a little, but better safe than sorry.
Don't eat too many spicy or fatty foods.
These are always a bit challenging for even a normal digestive system, and they can place extra strain on your already sensitive equilibrium during pregnancy.
Do eat bland starchy foods.
These are easy on the digestive system and can help neutralize the excess stomach acids that are part of the nausea reaction.
Many of the "tried and true" remedies fall in this category-saltines at the bedside to nibble on, bananas (good for restoring electrolytes), rice, applesauce and toast (the BRAT diet).
Do test out some of the tried-and-true home remedies and even some of that are less familiar.
Try drinking herbal teas, possibly with ginger-ginger is a long-known digestive aid frequently recommended for nausea.
Some expectant mothers find vitamin supplements helpful, particularly vitamin B6-in fact your doctor may have already prescribed a prenatal multivitamin.
You know those acupressure and acustimulation bracelets you may have seen advertised for treating seasickness or motion sickness? They have also proved helpful for many people with nausea from chemotherapy and pregnancy.
Do give yourself a break-in fact lots of breaks.
Get rest when you can and accept that you may not be able to manage everything you used to do.
Nausea and vomiting not only lead to greater fatigue, but being exhausted lowers your resistance to the next round.
So don't fight that tired feeling-take a nap whenever you can.
Finally, don't hesitate to call your doctor if nothing seems to help alleviate your symptoms, and particularly if you are experiencing any of the signs of severe pregnancy nausea (hyperemesis gravidarum).
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