Can’t stand the smell of coffee brewing, eggs cooking or even your favourite meal? Well, your not alone.

 More than 80 per cent of pregnant women suffer from morning sickness ( which can actually strike at any

time of the day or night ) in their first trimester.

 Morning sickness usually starts around 4 to 6 weeks and symptoms range from feeling very queasy to

 severe vomiting. It usually waers off after the second trimester, though a few unlucky mums-to-be suffer

 right through.

 No one is sure what causes morning sickness, however it’s most likely due to the combination of the many

 physical changes your body is adapting to. In the meantime try our sickness-busting tips…

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• Try some peppermint tea, it’s great for settling an upset tummy.
•  
• Avoid foods and smells that appear to trigger nausea.
•  
• If you’re having trouble keeping food down, try sucking an iceblock.
•  
• Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Dehydration is often the cause of nausea.
•  
• Ginger has medicinal properties known to ease nausea, whether it’s ginger tea, ginger beer or biscuits.
•  
• Try yoga. Yogic breathing helps to relax the belly, reducing the symptoms of morning sickness.
•  
• Eat smaller meals more frequently. An empty stomach increases the chance of nausea. Regular snacks will help stabilise the blood sugar.
•  
• Drink soda water or lemonade, the bubbles are said to reduce nausea.
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• Eat foods high in carbohydrates and protein; dry toast, crackers, muesli, rice pasta and wholegrain breakfast cereals.
•  
• Take naps during the day. Tiredness plays a big part in morning sickness.
•  
• Try using acupressure bands on your wrists. The bands can be worn like bracelets, and many pregnant find they help.
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• Keep snacks, such as crackers and biscuits, by your bedside. This may help to ward off the nausea before you get out of bed, or if you wakeup in the night feeling sick.
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• After eating, resist the urge to lie down straight away. Wait at least an hour before taking a nap.
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• Don’t rush out of bed in the morning. Sudden movement may bring on morning sickness.
•  

When to get help If you cannot keep any foods, or fluids down you should consult your G.P. An

 estimated 2% of pregnant women are affected by severe morning sickness known as hypermesis

 gravidarum.

By Brooke Campbell- courtesy of Your Pregnancy, 2005 edition