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Morning Sickness

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Morning sickness is a natural part of pregnancy and can affect as many as eighty percent of pregnant women.  Normally, it only persists through the first trimester of pregnancy, but in some cases it can last longer and be more debilitating.  However, there are some natural measures that you can take to help ease the discomfort.

Change Your Diet

A change in your diet can help you to get through the morning sickness stage of pregnancy.  Here are some simple tips to help make things easier:

• eat smaller meals more often, so that you are never overly hungry or overly full
  
• try to avoid fatty or fried foods
  
• crackers, toast, and other bland foods can help to settle feelings of nausea
  
• some foods can trigger morning sickness – identify which ones these are for you and try to avoid them
  
• be sure to keep your fluid intake up
  
• pay attention to your cravings
  
• cold foods smell less strongly and may be less likely to cause feelings of nausea
  
• try not to skip meals
  
• avoid overly spicy foods

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 has been shown to help with the nausea that often accompanies the earlier stages of pregnancy; however it may not necessarily reduce vomiting.  About 50mg a day is all that you should need but you should check with your primary health provider before starting supplements.

Ginger

Ginger has long been shown to help relieve the feelings of nausea and is a common remedy for morning sickness.  Ginger can be taken in a number of ways – as a tea, fresh, as a powder mixed with water, in flat ginger ale, or as crystallised ginger.  About a gram of ginger spread out over the day seems to be ideal.

Acupuncture and Acupressure

Acupuncture can be very useful for relieving morning sickness in the first trimester of pregnancy.  Traditional acupuncture points associated with nausea and vomiting are used, with these points being located on the forearms and on the abdomen.  As little as one session can see you feeling relief.

Acupressure is also helpful, particularly the acupressure point P6.  This point is located on the inside of the arm, about three finger widths above the wrist crease, between the tendons.  By pressing on this point firmly, you can feel some relief. However, be aware that it can take up to five minutes to take effect.  You can repeat this as often as to like to continue to gain relief.

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