“In the case of, say, hyperemesis, or nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, a patient really needs to know that first trimester anything goes. They shouldn’t be worried about following a strict diet that they may have followed before. So we have different strategies, different types of foods that we recommend to ease that nausea and vomiting through the first trimester.”
You’ve heard the war stories: Women talk about nausea, vomiting, and heightened sense of smell. It’s safe to say that morning sickness in pregnant women is no joke.
The good news is, there’s nothing to worry about. Unpleasant as symptoms may be, morning symptoms and accompanying nausea, especially in the first trimester, are completely normal effects of a healthy pregnancy.
Your body goes through a lot of changes as it prepares to carry a baby for nine months. Think of morning sickness as the evidence these changes are occurring as expected.
That doesn’t make the symptoms any more tolerable.
Eating Away Nausea During Pregnancy
Dr. Lynn-Marie Aronica, OB/GYN at Trinity Medical, recommends adopting the BRAT diet first thing in the morning for women suffering from morning sickness. BRAT is an acronym that stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.
All of these starchy food items are typically bland and easy-to-digest. If your stomach has been upset during the early months of your pregnancy, these foods provide a good base for the rest of your day.
What to Do About General Nausea
The term “morning sickness” is a bit misleading, as some women find that their nausea and vomiting isn’t limited to the morning hours. Many pregnant women also discover their symptoms are triggered by certain smells or foods.
When in doubt, talk to an OB/GYN.
Take notes of the foods and smells that seem to make you squeamish. Now is not the time to get adventurous with new foods – stick to familiar, easily-digested meals. And more than anything else, don’t be shy about getting in touch with an OB/GYN to discuss morning sickness.
Dr. Aronica practices at Southtowns Trinity Medical OB/GYN & Midwifery Care at 550 Orchard Park Rd in West Seneca. If you have OB/GYN-related questions or need care, please call the office at (716) 862-2546.
