Becoming pregnant and adding a new member to the family something that most women react to with joy, but that doesn't mean that pregnancy itself is easy or comfortable for all women. During the first trimester of pregnancy, it is not uncommon for women to experience nausea and vomiting, which is commonly referred to as morning sickness. Despite its name, nausea and vomiting can occur at any time of day, and some women can feel unwell all day long during their first trimester. If you have recently learned that you are pregnant, use the following tips to help you cope with morning sickness.

Utilize Aromatherapy

Many women experience a heightened sense of smell when pregnant, and unfortunately unpleasant smells can cause a woman to feel queasy and may lead to vomiting. An easy way to combat nausea and vomiting due to being triggered by strong smells is by utilizing aromatherapy. When you smell something unpleasant that makes you feel unwell, consider taking a sniff of lemon or peppermint extract. These extracts have a strong, pleasant smell that may help alleviate any nausea that you may feel and may help prevent the nausea from leading to vomiting.

Make Sure that You Stay Hydrated

All people should drink ample water and stay hydrated, but hydration is especially important during pregnancy. Drinking enough water can be difficult, but if you're newly pregnant, it is important to keep track of your water intake on a daily basis to ensure that you're drinking enough. This can also make a difference in your morning sickness, as dehydration can lead to an increased feeling of nausea. Vomiting can lead to dehydration, so if you're throwing up frequently, make sure you drink extra water to hopefully help stop the cycle of nausea and vomiting.

Keep Eating

When you're not feeling great, eating can be the last thing that you want to do. But, having an empty stomach won't help and can actually make your nausea worse. A lot of pregnant women can tolerate bland food during the first trimester, so always start your morning off with a banana or a handful of crackers as soon as you wake up. Then, try to eat several small meals throughout the day to help ensure that your stomach is never completely empty.

Contact Your OB

If your morning sickness is making you truly miserable and nothing that you have tried has helped, contact your OB for help. Your doctor will assess your morning sickness symptoms, and if you're suffering from severe morning sickness, he or she may prescribe medications. There are a number of medications that help prevent nausea and vomiting that are safe to take while you are pregnant, and they can make a big difference in how you feel. 

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