Common Triggers and Easy Remedies for Morning Sickness

Duchesses Get Morning Sickness Too! Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, announced she was pregnant with her third child last week. How did people find out? She started missing meetings and appointments because of morning sickness!

Common Triggers for Morning Sickness

There are many different triggers for morning sickness – like certain strong odors (from changing a diaper to cat food to the fish counter at your local grocery store, etc.). Even brushing your teeth might cause a gag reflex. Being dehydrated, not eating enough, eating certain foods, riding in a car, or even hormone fluctuations can contribute to nausea and vomiting.

Lori Copling, RN, Labor & Delivery manager at Intermountain Riverton Hospital, suggests several ways to reduce morning sickness symptoms. “Don’t be afraid to try different remedies,” she says. “Everybody is different and every pregnancy is different.” She recommends the following:

First line of defense: Natural remedies for morning sickness

• Ginger. Drink ginger ale or tea. You can even try ginger lollipops.
• Mint. Eating something with this fresh flavor can help you feel less nauseated. Mint can also freshen your mouth after a round of morning sickness.
• Saltines or toast. Simple starches can help settle a queasy stomach. “I’ve had moms tell me they keep saltines by their bed so they can eat them right when they wake up,” says Copling.
• Vitamin B6. Check with your doctor for a recommended dose.
• Exercise. You probably don't feel like going to the gym with your tummy so queasy. But a gentle walk could do wonders for your body. Even walking 20 minutes a day can help counteract the fatigue and nausea.
• Change your eating patterns. Sometimes it's a matter of simply keeping your stomach from hitting empty. "Eat small, frequent meals, and eat as soon as you wake up," Lori says.

A second line of defense: Medication

Medication can help more severe cases of morning sickness. Ask your doctor about over-the- counter and prescription medications if natural remedies don’t help. Many moms-to-be worry that morning sickness medications may harm their unborn baby. "I always remind patients that doctors would never prescribe anything that isn't safe,” says Copling.