Q: What is morning sickness?

A: Morning sickness, also called pregnancy sickness, is nausea or vomiting that occurs in more than half of all pregnant women during the first trimester of pregnancy. It usually goes away by the second trimester.

Severe morning sickness is called hyperemesis gravidarum. Women with high levels of pregnancy hormones tend to develop this condition and have it in subsequent pregnancies. The good news is that it occurs in less than 2% of pregnant women.

Morning sickness is not harmful to you or your baby, but it is no fun either. Here are a few things you can do to make it a little more bearable:

• Eat soda crackers before getting out of bed in the morning as movement often makes morning sickness worse.
• Eat frequent small snacks instead of full meals and stay away from spicy foods.
• Eat only the foods that taste (and smell) good to you. Smells can trigger morning sickness – cook with the fan on or the windows open or sniff lemons or ginger, drink lemonade or eat watermelon to relieve any nausea.
• Eat foods that are high in carbohydrates and low in fat, with no fiber.
• Drink fluids 1/2 hour before or after a meal, but not with meals. Some women find that small sips of peppermint tea relieve their symptoms.
• Drink small amounts of fluids during the day to avoid dehydration.
• Take short naps during the day but not immediately after eating.
• If you feel yourself becoming overheated, find a cooler room to be in for a while.

Check with your doctor or nurse before using any health food remedies.

Q: How is it treated?

A: Treatment for mild morning sickness may include both changes in diet and medications prescribed by your doctor.