Make a Morning Sickness Kit for Pregnancy-Related Nausea

If there's one gripe that many pregnant women share, it's that the nauseating, dizzying effects of morning sickness make it difficult to concentrate on the excitement of pregnancy. You can create your own morning sickness kit to keep on hand for whenever nausea strikes, or give one to a pregnant woman in your life who is feeling ill. Try a combination of these products for the ultimate defense against pregnancy-related stomach problems.

Snack or Sip on Ginger

Consuming ginger products is one of the easiest methods for quick relief, according to the National Institutes of Health. This multipurpose root has been proven effective in relieving all kinds of illnesses, and it can be found in many food and drinks. Chew a soft ginger candy, suck on a ginger mint, or sip some ginger tea or ginger ale for tasty, stomach-soothing benefits.

Eat Sweets

As long as you don't go overboard, popping a few fruity or minty candies can relieve the icky sensation that comes with morning sickness. Keep a few in your kit for if you're hit with a wave of nausea. Some sweets, like Preggie Pops, can even be good for you. The lollipops are specially formulated with essential oils to deliver quick relief.

Try Aromatherapy

Some people find aromatherapy to be both emotionally calming and effective in curbing nausea. Your kit should contain a small bottle of oil in a pleasant scent such as lavender or lemon, which you can dab lightly on your wrists as necessary. Finding the right scent may require some trial and error, and remember that there's no need to use aromatherapy if you find the fragrances too intense.

Snack Smart

It's important to be gentle with your body when you're feeling sick. Ease your way back into your normal eating habits with simple, bland snacks such as saltine crackers or pretzels. Listen to your cravings while being mindful of whether something will be too heavy, spicy, or pungent. And don't forget to complement your light snacking with enough protein to keep your energy up. Cheese, peanut butter, and yogurt are also some of your best bets to help keep you feeling full rather than bloated — just be mindful of refrigeration if you're on the go or giving the morning sickness kit as a gift.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration is key to refreshing and rejuvenating your body. In addition to ginger ale and other soothing beverages like raspberry or mint tea, make sure to drink plenty of water. Take small sips, pacing yourself to avoid adding to your nausea. Keep a water bottle or thermos in your kit to remind yourself to hydrate regularly.

Get in Touch With Your Pressure Points

You can use pressure points to your advantage in managing pregnancy-derived sicknesses. Stash some pressure point wristbands in your kit and put them on when nausea strikes. And while the practice is intimidating to some, acupuncture may also be helpful for some pregnant women who are feeling ill. Discuss it with your doctor if you have any concerns.

Take Your Vitamins

People have hesitated to take medication for pregnancy-related nausea ever since thalidomide was found to cause birth defects decades ago. But certain approved vitamins remain an important and safe part of prenatal health. In particular, B6 is known to mitigate morning sickness, according to the National Institutes of Health. If morning queasiness is making it difficult to ingest B6 in the early hours, try taking your vitamins at night.

Morning sickness can be a real pain, but you can rest assured that it will eventually go away. Besides keeping the above items in your kit, a good relationship with your doctor is the best way to find comfort and ensure that you're taking the right vitamins and medication. A little discomfort is to be expected during pregnancy, but if you can minimize it, you can focus your energy on anticipating your happy little bundle's arrival.