What can I do when I experience ‘morning sickness'?

(Published 01/2017)

Nausea and vomiting are very common in the early stage of pregnancy. This relates much to the hormonal changes in the body. In most pregnant women, these troublesome symptoms usually disappear by themselves after the first three months of pregnancy.

Here are tips that you may try to relieve the discomfort:

  • Have small frequent meals, say, eating every 2 to 3 hours.  Avoid starving yourself.
  • Choose foods that are dry, low in fat and high in carbohydrates, such as bread, biscuits, rice, noodles or mashed potatoes.
  • Avoid having high fat or fried foods, coffee, garlic and other spices.
  • Choose sour beverages like lemon water/lemonade, plum juice.
  • Drink fluids in between meals to avoid stomach fullness.
  • Some researches showed that ginger may relieve morning sickness. Pregnant moms may try make ginger drink by boiling water with a few slices of cleaned ginger. You may also add ginger as condiment during cooking. Some preserved or pickled ginger products available locally may be loaded with added salts and sugars. Pregnant moms should avoid having them as overeating can increase sodium and energy intake.
  • Get up slowly in morning when you wake up. Avoid brushing your teeth and tongue immediately after eating.
  • Open the windows and keep indoor air fresh. Avoid going to places with lots of people or poor ventilation.
  • Get plenty of rest. Feeling tired may make morning sickness worse.
  • Avoid smoking. Ask family members to stop smoking as well.
  • Seek medical attention when symptoms are serious or not improving.

Some pregnancy complications and medical diseases like multiple pregnancy, molar pregnancy and thyrotoxicosis can lead to severe vomiting. Severe vomiting may result in dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Please seek medical attention immediately when you have the following symptoms:

  • Cannot eat any food in 24 hours
  • Lose weight
  • Have no urine for 8 hours or urine colour becomes darker
  • have generalised weakness, severe discomfort, dizziness, confusion or fits
  • Bad tummy pain, fever, vomiting blood