My Wife Experiencing Nausea and Vomiting During 4th Week of Pregnancy : Things to try at home for morning sickness

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is often called morning sickness because it sometimes happens earlier in the day. However, it can also happen in the afternoon or evening. Normally, vomiting stops by the 18th week of pregnancy. Morning sickness, while normal, can be unpleasant and disturb your daily activities. The following remedies for vomiting are safe for pregnant people to try.

Ginger and Peppermint. This root has nausea relieving properties for anyone, including pregnant people. It doesn't seem to curb vomiting once it starts, but it can reduce nausea, preventing vomiting from happening. You can take ginger supplements or just eat foods containing ginger. You can also drink ginger ale or ginger tea.

Diet management. Avoiding spicy and greasy foods can reduce morning sickness. You can also try eating a lot of complex carbohydrates, like breads, pastas, fruits, and leafy greens.

Lifestyle management. Eating several smaller meals, and eating a light snack as soon as you wake up can help to avoid or reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. You can also sip on cool, clear beverages. Carbonated drinks can help as well. 

Vitamin B6. You can take this over-the-counter supplement to reduce nausea and vomiting caused by pregnancy.

Doxylamine. This is an ingredient commonly found in over-the-counter sleep aids, like Unisom. It often helps with morning sickness. However, before taking it, be aware the medicine may make you tired.

Manage triggers. Some nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is caused by specific smells, tastes, or even noises. Try to avoid things you know will trigger you. If you do get triggered by something, suck on a mint, sniff a lemon slice.

1) Get plenty of rest

It is important to get a good night´s sleep. Napping during the day may help too, but not straight after a meal, as this can increase nausea.

For those who work night shifts, it may help to wear a sleep mask or use blackout curtains to block out as much light as possible.

As time goes on and the body changes shape, a maternity body pillow may help your back and abdomen.

Go to bed early and wake up early, so you can take time to get out of bed.

Do not use sleeping pills unless a doctor prescribes them.

2) Eat with care

Fatty and spicy foods and caffeine increase the chance of triggering the release of stomach acid, especially as the pregnancy progresses and the fetus pushes against the digestive tract. Bland foods may be less aggravating.

Small portion sizes can help reduce the chance of vomiting but keep something in the stomach. Having an empty stomach can worsen the feelings of nausea. The stomach produces acids, but they have nothing to work on, except for the stomach lining. This adds to the feelings of nausea.

Having some   or a protein snack before getting out of bed in the morning may help.

At breakfast, cold apple sauce, pears, bananas or any citrus fruit will help you feel satisfied early. The fruit’s potassium may help prevent morning sickness.

Carbohydrates can help. Baked potatoes, rice, and dry toast are often suitable options.

At night, eating a high-protein snack before going to bed will help regulate your blood-glucose levels during the night.

Eat food cold to reduce the smells experienced when eating.

3) Keep physically and mentally active

Being physically active has been found to improve symptoms in women who experience nausea during pregnancy.

Keeping busy can help take your mind off the feelings of nausea. Reading a book, doing puzzles, watching television, playing cards, or going for short walks around the block will help to keep you preoccupied.

4) Ensure good fluid intake

It is important to stay hydrated for good health, especially during pregnancy.

It may be hard to consume eight glasses of water a day while experiencing nausea, but dehydration can aggravate feelings of nausea.

Adding apple cider vinegar and honey to water may make it more palatable.

Sucking ice cubes made from water or fruit juice is also an effective method.

5) Ginger and peppermint teas

Ginger has long been used to aid digestion and reduce abdominal discomfort. Studies show that it may also help relieve the symptoms of nausea.

Other options are to sip cold ginger ale or to add a slice of raw ginger to water or tea.

Snacks such as gingerbread, or ginger cookies may also help.

Peppermint tea may also help settle the stomach.

6) Wear loose and comfortable clothing

Restrictive or tight clothing may worsen the symptoms of nausea. Women who experience nausea during pregnancy have fewer symptoms of nausea when they wear loose-fitting clothes.

7) Vitamins and supplements

Supplements should only be used under a doctor’s supervision. If you are taking vitamins, it may be best to take them before bed and with a snack.

Vitamin B6 may help reduce nausea.

Iron supplements that are prescribed during pregnancy can sometimes lead to nausea. A doctor may recommend a slower-release form or a lower dosage. Take iron supplements with orange juice or another drink with Vitamin C to increase absorption.

8) Avoid computer monitor flicker

A computer monitor flickers rapidly and almost unnoticeably. This may contribute to morning sickness.

If it is not possible to avoid using a computer monitor, it may help to adjust the screen by making the fonts bold and larger and changing the background to a soft tan or pink color. This will help reduce eye strain.

9) Avoid triggers

Morning sickness is linked to an increased sensitivity to smell.

Some strong smells can worsen the symptoms, but scents such as lemon extract and rosemary may help.

An individual will learn to recognize which triggers bring on an episode of nausea, and they can avoid these as far as possible.

10) Help for acid reflux

Sometimes, the nausea and vomiting may be due to acid reflux.

A doctor may be able to recommend antacid medication to take before going to bed to reduce stomach acid levels, and the subsequent morning vomiting.

Always check with a doctor before taking any medication during pregnancy.

Alternative therapies such as acupressure may help. Applying pressure on specific points on the body may help control symptoms. It may involve wearing a motion-sickness band on the forearm.

What is morning sickness?

The feelings of nausea do not happen only in the morning. Most women find they ease as the day goes on, but, for some women, they may continue all day.

Nausea during pregnancy is normally associated with an increase in estrogen levels, low blood sugar counts, and a greater susceptibility to some smells.

The exact reason is unknown, but factors may include:

a rise in hormones, especially estrogen, progesterone, human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), and cholecystokinin, leading to changes in digestive activity

a fall in blood sugar, resulting from the placenta’s need for energy

Another theory on what contributes to nausea in early pregnancy is related to the sense of smell. A woman’s sense of smell is more sensitiveTrusted Source in pregnancy, and this could increase the feelings of nausea.

It is most likely to occur during the first 3 months of pregnancy, and it often subsides once into the second trimester.

Research has suggested that nausea and vomiting during pregnancy are a good sign, and they are associated withTrusted Source a lower risk of pregnancy loss.

Excessive vomiting

Excessive vomiting during pregnancy is known as hyperemesis gravidarum. It can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and weight loss.

It affects around 1 in every 300 women during pregnancy, usually only during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.

A woman should see a doctor if:

she loses more than 2 pounds in weight

she vomits blood, which may be red or black

she vomits more than four times in one day

she is unable to keep fluids down for more than one day

The doctor may recommend dietary changes, plenty of rest and the use of antacids. In severe cases, the patient may need to receive fluids and nutrition intravenously.

Diet

The American Pregnancy Association (APA) suggest eating:

Cold foods, Plain fruits and vegetables, Bland foods, such as chicken soup As snacks, the APA recommend:

pretzels, Jell-O, flavoured popsicles, Preggie Pops, a kind of candy in different flavors such as mint, lemon, and ginger, designed to reduce the sensation of nausea Medications are not recommended as they may have unexpected adverse effects during pregnancy. Speak to a doctor about non-medicinal remedies for morning sickness.