BAD MORNING AMERICA

GOT MORNING SICKNESS? GET RELIEF WITH THESE DOCTOR-RECOMMENDED REMEDIES

While your pregnancy is something to celebrate, your happiness can quickly become cut short once
the hormones kick in. For many women, running for the bathroom can begin almost immediately
after getting that plus sign on a stick. According to a study done by the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 70 to 85 percent of pregnant women experience some type of
nausea and vomiting—and not always just in the morning. Luckily, there are some ways to battle
the need to barf, says Jodi Schucker, MD, a perinatologist at Geisinger Medical Center. Follow her
advice and remember: Even when you're headed for the toilet multiple times a day, it's all for a good cause.

1. Stay hydrated.
Dr. Schucker says staying hydrated by drinking water, sports drinks and watered-down juices is an effective way to keep morning sickness at bay. Additionally, consuming lots of healthy drinks will aid in the prevention of dehydration, which can be extremely dangerous for expecting women.

2. Stay full.
Eat small portions of healthy snacks every two to three hours throughout the day, or more often if you’re feeling hungry. “Don't worry about it being too close to bedtime; you'll thank yourself in the morning,” says Dr. Schucker. In the event of a late-night craving, keep whole-wheat crackers next to your bed.

3. Choose foods according to your symptoms.
If you have no appetite or are just feeling yucky, Dr. Schucker says that “plain” foods are your friend. “Pasta and breads will fill you up and absorb stomach acid, which will always make you feel better,” she says. Upset stomach? Salty foods like crackers and pretzels, foods containing ginger, and sour foods like citrus fruits and sour candies serve as nature’s version of Pepto-Bismol as well as curb nausea.

4. Take prenatal vitamins at the right time.
Sometimes, prenatal vitamins are the cause of upset stomachs or nausea. To fight their effects but keep them in your stomach for their positive benefits, Dr. Schucker suggests taking your prenatal vitamins later in the day or before you go to bed. “This will give you a better chance of keeping them down,” she says. “If you simply cannot tolerate your current prenatal vitamin, ask your doctor for another brand. There are plenty of options on the market these days—you don't have to suffer.”

5. Cut yourself a break.
Remember that your body’s going through a lot right now—it’s growing another human being! “Rest when you can, eat when you want, and don't feel like you need to keep up daily activities like your gym routine or dinners with friends,” says Dr. Schucker. With a little R&R, hopefully the nausea will pass and give way to that healthy glow you keep hearing about.

6. Seek a doctor’s help if you can’t find relief.
If you’ve tried every option out there and still find yourself vomiting more than three to four times a day, Dr. Schucker says you should contact your doctor immediately. “This can be a sign of a problem, which your health care provider will be able to evaluate,” she says. “There are medications they can prescribe for the most serious cases of pregnancy-related illness that will prevent severe dehydration and help you keep all the nourishment you and your baby need.”

— Hallie Goodfriend

Hallie Goodfriend is a writer living in Princeton Junction, N.J.