Is your mom the type that would do anything for you? Most moms are . . .  I have to say. Mine surely is! Well, that sense of “giving” started long before you entered the world. In fact, your mom may have had to endure weeks upon weeks of sickness – and it was entirely your fault! Ask your mom about this time in her life, and she’ll probably be glad to share with you all the dirty details. There’s a few more below as well, so keep reading!

Is your mom the type that would do anything for you? Most moms are . . .  I have to say. Mine surely is!

Well, that sense of “giving” started long before you entered the world. In fact, your mom may have had to endure weeks upon weeks of sickness – and it was entirely your fault! Ask your mom about this time in her life, and she’ll probably be glad to share with you all the dirty details. There’s a few more below as well, so keep reading!

What exactly is morning sickness?
Morning sickness is commonly described as the nausea and vomiting that often occurs between the sixth and twelfth weeks of pregnancy. According to the American Pregnancy Association, more than half of all American women will experience morning sickness during their pregnancies. More than half!

Nausea is usually a welcome early sign of pregnancy if you are actively trying for a baby, but when it lingers and leads to vomiting, it can be of concern and interrupt a busy schedule.  In severe cases, pregnant women can develop a condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum, in which vomiting is so frequent that it depletes electrolyte and nutrient levels. If you are pregnant and can’t keep any food down, see your health care provider immediately.

Does it really only happen in the morning?
Let’s dispel this myth right away—morning sickness does NOT only happen in the morning. In reality, morning sickness can occur anytime, day or night (my mom told me she experienced it more in the evening). It is caused by the increase of hormone production in the body as it prepares to support and change for the healthy development of the baby. This may also result in a heightened sensitivity to food aromas, so you may want to avoid foods that trigger queasy feelings when you smell them. My mom’s relationship with tator-tot hotdish was never the same.

Oh sorry, for you non-Midwestern folk, “hotdish” is like a casserole, and there’s one of the tator-tot sort.

If morning sickness has got you down, try these solutions:

Keep crackers at your beside. If you eat crackers before you get out of bed in the morning, the starch and carbohydrates may help to settle your stomach.

Apply a little pressure. Light pressure on your pulse points may alleviate your nausea. Invest in a motion sickness band, and try to wear it either all the time or at the first sign of symptoms until you’ve moved out of your morning sickness phase.

Replenish your fluids. If your nausea has led to vomiting, water and fruit juice will replenish your dehydrated system and quickly restore your electrolyte levels.

Eat a bit of ginger. Ginger, which is gentle on sensitive stomachs, is an effective morning sickness cure. Look for ginger candies, gum or supplements.

Most moms will agree that while morning sickness is no fun, it’s all worth it when everything is said and done. If you are currently suffering from morning sickness, take heart – it won’t last forever, and in a few months, you’ll have something else to focus on. No, no, no – not the pain of labor . . . your precious little one!